| Peak | Mt Wilson |
|---|---|
| Group | N/A |
| Trailhead | Sturtevant Falls/Gabrieleno Trail |
I arrived at the Adam Pack Station around 11am and it was a sunny warm day, after paying for the parking permit I head to Sturtevant Falls. For being Tuesday there were quite many people on the trail, and many with dogs. The fall itself was very nice, there were roughly 15 people hanging around, a couple of kids swimming and others just sitting around the fall. After a quick snack I go back to the trail to reach the top, the trail was very nice and since it was along the stream, the water was making a peaceful sound, and it was this beautiful all the way to Sturtevant Camp. There I rested and ate something while reading the history of the place and their brochure. After the camp is when hell started for me. I had mosquitoes hovering around my face for the majority of the time, the slope was increasing significantly at every step I was making, I had to make so many stops as my legs were sore and I have even though about heading back and forget about the challenge. After repeatedly asking myself why was I doing this I come across the half way rest sign. 1.4 mile to reach to top. So i keep pushing on, still taking many breaks as I could not handle the slope when I finally see some metal railings. All the sudden my pain disappear and I go towards the edge of the railed road to enjoy the view. There were two chairs but I did not sit down or I would not have stood up again. I then proceed towards the Observatory and ate something else at the picnic area, then restroom break, which were surprisingly clean, and I head to the parking lot to start descending. I had trouble finding the beginning of the trail from the parking lot, and just when I was about to go back down from the way I came, I could find the trailhead and start descending. It took me 6 and half hour to reach to top, at 6.07pm I started descending as fast as I could, since I remembered seeing a sign mentioning the road was closing at 8pm. After 1.15 hour I was at the Upper Winter Creek Junction and I knew I was not going to be able to get to the parking lot before 8pm. Halfway from the junction to the parking lot I suddenly get reception on my phone so I could text my girlfriend who was already very worried, since I told her that I only needed 6 hours to complete the trail. At 8.20pm I reach the parking lot, and thankfully there was a Sheriff car which later I found waiting in front of the closed gate with me and few other cars.
I loved the first section and the descend of this loop but I have hated the section after Sturtevant Camp for obvious reason. The slope and the insect tortured me, but after 9 hours i could finally complete it!
