Mt. Wilson Trail (Sierra Madre)
Partly open — read this before you go. The lower Mt. Wilson Trail from Mount Wilson Trail Park (189 E Mira Monte Ave, Sierra Madre) reopened in 2026; parking is free street parking in the residential area plus a little inside the park, and no Adventure Pass is needed. But the upper trail and the Altadena-side Mt. Wilson Toll Road remain closed under the Eaton Fire order (Forest Order 05-01-26-04) through December 31, 2027 — so you can hike the lower section, not to the summit.
The facts
- Trail served
- Mt. Wilson Trail from Sierra Madre — lower section to First Water / Jones Peak cutoff open; the full route to Mt. Wilson summit is closed above
- Cost / pass
- Free — street parking plus limited spaces inside Mount Wilson Trail Park; no Adventure Pass
- Lot size
- Small park lot at Mount Wilson Trail Park plus free residential street parking on Mira Monte Ave and nearby
- When it fills
- Weekend mornings — the residential street parking gets busy; go early
- Overflow option
- Farther down the residential streets around Mira Monte Ave — obey posted signs
- Tow / citation risk
- Residential Sierra Madre streets are signed and enforced; park legally and don't block driveways
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at Mount Wilson Trail Park
- Road to the lot
- Paved: to Mount Wilson Trail Park at 189 E Mira Monte Ave, Sierra Madre; park open dawn to dusk
- Busy season
- Fall–spring; the lower trail is exposed and hot in summer afternoons
Getting there
Mount Wilson Trail Park, 189 E Mira Monte Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Get directions →What's open and what isn't
"Mt. Wilson Trail" spans two jurisdictions. The lower civic trail, operated by Sierra Madre from Mount Wilson Trail Park, reopened in 2026 after the Forest Service adjusted the Eaton Fire closure. You can hike to First Water and the Jones Peak cutoff. The upper trail to the Mt. Wilson summit and the Altadena-side Mt. Wilson Toll Road from Henninger Flats remain closed under Forest Order 05-01-26-04 through December 31, 2027.
The lower canyon is open; the summit route is not. Confirm the day's status with Sierra Madre Community Services at (626) 355-5278, as post-fire conditions and fire-season rules can close the lower trail again.
Parking at Mount Wilson Trail Park
Parking is free: a small lot inside Mount Wilson Trail Park (189 E Mira Monte Ave) has restrooms, with free residential street parking on Mira Monte Avenue and nearby blocks. No Adventure Pass is required.
Close-in street spots fill on weekend mornings. Follow residential signs, do not block driveways, and note that the park is open dawn to dusk. For a summit-area day while the upper trail is closed, use Chantry Flat.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mt. Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre open?
The lower section, from Mount Wilson Trail Park in Sierra Madre, reopened in 2026. The upper trail to the Mt. Wilson summit and the Altadena-side Mt. Wilson Toll Road remain closed under the Eaton Fire order through December 31, 2027. Confirm current status with Sierra Madre Community Services at (626) 355-5278.
Where do you park for the Mt. Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre?
At Mount Wilson Trail Park, 189 E Mira Monte Ave — a small free park lot plus free residential street parking nearby. No Adventure Pass is required. Weekend mornings fill up, so arrive early and obey the residential parking signs.
Can you hike to the Mt. Wilson summit from Sierra Madre right now?
No. Only the lower trail is open; the upper trail to the summit is inside the Eaton Fire closure through December 31, 2027. You can hike the lower section (to First Water / Jones Peak cutoff) but not to the top from here.
Facts on this page last verified August 1, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.