Mount Wilson via Sturtevant Trail (Summit #4)
Growing up in the San Gabriel Valley, Mount Wilson was always there. I saw it every morning from my window — a silent backdrop to my childhood in El Monte, just a few miles from Arroyo High School. I never thought much of it then… it was just part of the skyline.
But when I started hiking, when I stood on Jones Peak for the first time, I looked over and pointed: “That’s it. That’s Mount Wilson.”
This summit — my 4th peak logged — was personal. Sturtevant Trail was long and winding, cutting through early-morning dew, waterfalls, wooden bridges, and steep switchbacks that felt endless at times. But what struck me most was the charred land near the summit — evidence of the devastating fires. The communication towers, scorched trees, and brittle soil made me realize: this mountain that I took for granted… nearly vanished.
Wilson wasn’t just another peak. It was a reminder that nothing lasts forever unless you take the time to see it, climb it, and remember it.
Because it was always in the background — and now I stood on top of it. This summit marked a moment where nostalgia met presence. I wasn’t just chasing stats — I was paying tribute to the landscape that raised me.
The fire-scarred summit reminded me: even the most familiar places need your attention before they're gone.
2 LMNT with 4L water
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