Day Trip: Explore the Rich History of Mount Wilson Observatory

Perched 5,700 feet on the Mount Wilson summit among the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles, is the Mount Wilson Observatory. Home to two historically essential telescopes, which have played a vital role in modern astronomy, George Ellery Hale founded the Observatory in the early 1900s. A few years later, in 1917, the Observatory outdid itself when the 100-inch Hooker telescope was completed, taking over the title of “the largest telescope in the world” until 1948.

Wilson Observatory Things to See and Do

During the years after Hooker’s introduction, the Observatory became one of the most potent facilities known to man for studying the sun, giving some of our most brilliant scientists useful tools that revolutionized astronomy with groundbreaking discoveries.

Visitors can view the historic Hooker telescope inside the dome from the Visitors’ Gallery by purchasing a weekend guided tour pass. There are also three solar telescopes, solar towers, and a snow solar telescope located on the Observatory grounds. These are used to study changes in the sun’s nature and can be viewed with a guide.

Cosmic Cafe Sandwich Shop

Aside from all the great telescopes, there is also a tiny Astronomical Museum on the observatory grounds that features historical photographs taken at Mount Wilson Observatory and exhibits on current projects. The Cosmic Cafe sandwich shop is above the Pavilion’s main parking lot.

This is a great place to grab a bit to eat or a souvenir while visiting the Observatory or as a refreshing destination at the end of the road for those passing through while discovering the wonders of the Angeles National Forest. Cosmic Cafe is open on weekends from April through November.

Angeles Crest Highway

One of the best things about visiting the Mount Wilson Observatory is the drive there, along with the beautiful Angeles Crest Highway that winds along some of the most pristine forests in southern California. Depending on the weather, travelers can catch an impressive view of the Los Angeles basin below.

Charlton Flat Picnic Area & Trailhead

If you want to visit Mount Wilson Observatory for an entire day trip adventure, two areas nearby are worth visiting. The first is Charlton Flat, a day-use and picnic destination located northeast of the face of Vetter Mountain, about a 40-minute drive from Interstate 210. The picnic area has about 185 tables and stoves—some with piped water.

The area also serves as a trailhead for the Vetter Mountain Lookout Trail and the Silver Moccasin Trail with its chaparral slopes, oak-lined canyons, and the fir and pine forests of Mt. Baden-Powell. A place where the Boy Scouts of America have placed a monument to their founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell.

Switzer Falls San Gabriel Mountains

The other, smaller picnic area nearby is known simply as Switzer’s. This day-use-only area has 22 picnic tables and is the trailhead for one of the area’s more accessible hikes into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains–Switzer Falls.

The hike crisscrosses back and across the Arroyo Seco Canyon stream surrounded by oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools and ends high above the 50-foot high falls. The falls are not more than a trickle during the summer but are still worth a look.

Forest Adventure Pass

An Angeles National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at these facilities and can be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe or the nearby Redbox Ranger Station.

Mount Wilson Observatory is located about 19 miles (approximately 45 minutes driving time) from the Angeles Crest Highway exit from the I-210 freeway in La Canada-Flintridge. It is open to public visitation daily from 10 am to 4 pm, April through November, while the cafe is only open on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/angeles/passes-permits/recreation

Getting to Mount Wilson Observatory

To get to the Observatory, head north on Angeles Crest Highway for about 14 miles, turn right at the Mount Wilson sign, and continue to the top of the mountain for about five miles. Mount Wilson Observatory is open to public visitation daily from 10 am to 4 pm, April through November. Walking Observatory tours from the Cosmic Cafe are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm. https://www.mtwilson.edu/

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