Mt. Wilson TO SAM MERRILL

Diving down the Mt. Wilson Toll Road on a 5-mile descent, runners officially enter the Front Country of the San Gabriels, famous for steep canyons, long climbs, lush pockets of green, and all-too-convenient trail access for millions of people. The great hiking revolution of the 1920’s and 30’s built many of these trails, leaving the crumbling remnants of wilderness resort hotels seen along the trail.

Runners descend 5 miles and 2500’ to the turn off for the Idlehour Trail (site of the former Idlehour Aid Station.) This is the only right hand turn you can take off the dirt road. Runners will immediately cross a small footbridge and ascend for a 1/2 mile up to a ridge before dropping into Idlehour Canyon proper. Poison oak is plentiful here, so take care if stepping off trail. This next stretch of the course traverses two canyons, climbing 2000’ up from the low point at Idlehour Trail Camp. Runners will work up and across one canyon heading west, and then encounter a short descent into another canyon before a long, gradual climb to the Sam Merrill Aid Station.