Southern California - water stops near mt wilson?

I just completed a ride up mt wilson yesterday. It was fantastic! Only problem is I was running out of water near the top. I was hoping to come back down and make a longer loop over to upper tujunga and around but I had to head back down for a refill instead.

Anyone know of a place to resupply anywhere up in that area?

There's a water fountain right at the intersection of Angeles Crest and Mt Wilson. Assuming you came up Angeles Crest from La Canada, as soon as you turned right onto Mt. Wilson it would have been by the parking lot to the right by the steps. There's also water further down at Clear Creak (where Angeles Crest meets Angeles Forest) on the side of the ranger shack.

I also have a link to a water stop guide, but I can't post it here so check your PMs.

jeez, how did I miss those!

Thanks for that list, thats fantastic!

No problem. The guys that ride around here are great, you should join us for some of our rides.

btw nice music. I'm a music teacher... which means I'm on Summer break... which is why I'm going up Angeles Crest tomorrow :D

http://kidsadventuring.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/7-11.jpg

^ Smart@$$ :p if only they would put 7-11s in remote areas like that, I'd carry a lot less on my rides.

is there any place to buy a food at the top of mt. wilson? Since observatory is there, there should be something?

is there any place to buy a food at the top of mt. wilson? Since observatory is there, there should be something?

Years ago there was a concession stand at the top but it has been closed for a long time. Sometimes the building at Red Box (the parking area at the intersection of Angeles Crest and Mt Wilson Road) has people selling snacks. Other than that, there's nothing up there until you get to Newcomb Ranch Cafe, about 12 miles up from Red Box, and nothing after that until Wrightwood, except water at Grassy Hollow.
There is a small cafe on Angeles Forest just down from Upper Big Tujunga and there is water at the fire station near there.

Years ago there was a concession stand at the top but it has been closed for a long time. Sometimes the building at Red Box (the parking area at the intersection of Angeles Crest and Mt Wilson Road) has people selling snacks. Other than that, there's nothing up there until you get to Newcomb Ranch Cafe, about 12 miles up from Red Box, and nothing after that until Wrightwood, except water at Grassy Hollow.
There is a small cafe on Angeles Forest just down from Upper Big Tujunga and there is water at the fire station near there.

Hi!
Where is Grassy Hollow? I was there at ACH 8-22-09 and reached up to snowcrest only. I was worried I'd run out of water if I go further and it would be a long ride back to Newcomb's.
By the way, were you the one (together with a lady biker) I encountered at HWY 39 on my way up to Crystal Lake last 8-18-09 tues?
Thanks!

is there any place to buy a food at the top of mt. wilson? Since observatory is there, there should be something?

I believe that the observatory is abandoned. At least, it looks that way - pretty eerie.

There is a water faucet in the parking lot there, and there are real (not just a hole in the ground) toilets up the concrete paths. (with sinks that can be used for refills, too.)

The observatory gate opens at (I think) 10 AM, so if you "summit" before then, there's no access.

Hi!
Where is Grassy Hollow?
By the way, were you the one (together with a lady biker) I encountered at HWY 39 on my way up to Crystal Lake last 8-18-09 tues?
Thanks!

Grassy Hollow Visitor Center is about 40 miles from Red Box. After you go over Dawson Saddle there is another 3 mile climb up to it. Sometimes the water is nasty. From there it's about 6-8 miles to Wrightwood, all downhill.
No, I wasn't up there on a tuesday.


I believe that the observatory is abandoned. At least, it looks that way - pretty eerie.

It's not abandoned, it's just not open to the public. I think you can join a club and go up at night to star gaze. You can go into the big dome (the 100 inch scope) anytime and hear an audio message about the scope, and you can see the old wooden chair that was used by Hubbel. You can also take college classes up there from different schools.
I think they close the gate to Skyline park in the winter.

Hi!
Where is Grassy Hollow? I was there at ACH 8-22-09 and reached up to snowcrest only. I was worried I'd run out of water if I go further and it would be a long ride back to Newcomb's.
By the way, were you the one (together with a lady biker) I encountered at HWY 39 on my way up to Crystal Lake last 8-18-09 tues?
Thanks!
If you start from La Canada, Grassy Hollow is a little over 50 miles from that point. It makes for a nice out-and-back century with over 10,000' of climbing. Starting at Red Box shortens it to 85 miles round trip, and Charlton Flats to 60.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/la-canada-flintridge/166124338848728483
No matter where I start from, I always top my bottles off at Newcomb's faucet before continuing to Grassy Hollow.


As for the observatory, it says it's open 10-4 during the warmer half of the year, and it says they're looking for volunteer docents, but yes every time I've been there, the gate was closed. They're obviously active because I see cars parked at or inside the gate and they have reported a recent discovery (http://www.mtwilson.edu/discovery.pdf) as well as a special discount on their 2009 calendar.

No problem. The guys that ride around here are great, you should join us for some of our rides.

btw nice music. I'm a music teacher... which means I'm on Summer break... which is why I'm going up Angeles Crest tomorrow :D

Thanks man!

I live on the west side and don't get to make it out that way to much unfortunately. Though I may have to make a point to every once and awhile as that ride was a lot of fun. I've been getting a bit bored of my west side rides now.

That ride you linked to in that post above looks like a lot of fun..

There is a water faucet in the parking lot there


That faucet has been plugged and is currently (as of 8/17/09) not working.

That faucet has been plugged and is currently (as of 8/17/09) not working.

I've been there yesterday (08/23/09) and it was working. (at least that one which is under the sign "water" - maybe there is another one)

I've been there yesterday (08/23/09) and it was working. (at least that one which is under the sign "water" - maybe there is another one)

Thanks for the update. The bathrooms at the observatory would be my refill spot. I'm not sure if those are still open - it's been about a year since I've been up there after 10AM.

Otherwise, it's not too hard to descend to Red Box for the refill.

Since we're on the topic, I did the Mt. Disappointment climb a week or two ago and really recommend it. (a turnoff from Mt. Wilson Rd.)

I might have to try Mt. Disappointment before I go back to work.

Just checking out Newcombs ranch online. That place looks great right there in the middle of no-where. I'd love to stop there mid ride for some food, though that may be awkward in full kit. Do any of you stop at restaurants? Could be a new thread...

Just checking out Newcombs ranch online. That place looks great right there in the middle of no-where. I'd love to stop there mid ride for some food, though that may be awkward in full kit. Do any of you stop at restaurants? Could be a new thread...
It only seems like it's in the middle of nowhere. It's a few miles short of the ski lifts, and I believe the owners of the restaurant ran the Waterman ski area at one point.

You won't look awakward sitting there in a full kit because many of us eat there all the time, usually on the return trip when the ride's almost over (they have a faucet out front which we commonly use on the way out, though). I would bet that 90% of their business Spring through Fall comes from motorcycle riders and bicyclists taking a break from their fun in the mountains.

edit: I guess I never feel awkward in my kit because I rarely stop when I'm riding by myself. You never feel as silly when there are more people around dressed just like you. Plus, riding to work and letting hundreds of adolescents see me arrive in my kit cured any shame I might have had :D

edit: I guess I never feel awkward in my kit because I rarely stop when I'm riding by myself. You never feel as silly when there are more people around dressed just like you. Plus, riding to work and letting hundreds of adolescents see me arrive in my kit cured any shame I might have had :D

ha, luckily I am not to far from work and ride in regular clothes on my commute bike with no major sweat problems. Though I do find bike clothes very comfortable I swear sometimes I'd rather wear a jersey than a normal shirt.

I swear sometimes I'd rather wear a jersey than a normal shirt.
My favorite polo shirt (http://www.target.com/C9-by-Champion-Microknit-Polo/dp/B001QTQMNS/sr=1-10/qid=1251222099/ref=sr_1_10/186-6191642-0391020?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&field-browse=1041828&rh=k%3Ac9%20shirt&page=1)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41haUQVPq4L._AA260_.jpg

It's a technical fabric like our bike jerseys, it's cheap, and I can wear it to work and then work out in the gym with it too.

^ Smart@$$ :p if only they would put 7-11s in remote areas like that, I'd carry a lot less on my rides.

On the contrary. Point your bike downhill just about anywhere in the Southland and you're just minutes away from a 7-11.

On the contrary. Point your bike downhill just about anywhere in the Southland and you're just minutes away from a 7-11.
Dawson Saddle?
Mt Baldy?
Upper Big T?
Little T canyon?
:p

Dawson Saddle?
Mt Baldy?
Upper Big T?
Little T canyon?
:pAdd Valley Center and De Luz.

On the contrary. Point your bike downhill just about anywhere in the Southland and you're just minutes away from a 7-11.

That's quite a statement.

A printable list of water stops in the SoCal (http://www.cvcbike.org/?p=1040) basin area for anyone interested.