Mount Wilson (California)

Mount Wilson
Mount Wilson
	The northern slope of Mount Wilson, atop which sits an antenna farm near its summit, as seen from Angeles Crest Highway
Highest point
Elevation	5,713 ft (1,741 m) NAVD 88
Prominence	150 ft (50 m)
Coordinates	34°13′26″N 118°03′42″W / 34.223759025°N 118.061644914°W
Geography
	Mount Wilson Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Parent range	San Gabriel Mountains
Topo map	USGS Mount Wilson
Climbing
Easiest route	Drive

Mount Wilson is a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, located within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California. With only minor topographical prominence the peak is not naturally noticeable from a distance, although it is easily identifiable due to the large number of antennas near its summit. It is a subsidiary peak of nearby San Gabriel Peak.

It is the location of the Mount Wilson Observatory, which is an important astronomical facility in Southern California with historic 60-inch (1,524 mm) and 100-inch (2,540 mm) aperture telescopes, and 60-foot (18.3 m) and 150-foot (45.7 m) tall solar towers. The newer CHARA Array, run by Georgia State University, is also sited there and does important interferometric stellar research.

The summit is at 5,710 feet (1,740 m). While not the tallest peak in its vicinity, it is high enough in elevation that snow can sometimes interrupt astronomical activities on the mountain. All of the mountains south of the summit are far shorter leading to unobstructed views across the Los Angeles Basin, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and out to Ventura County, San Diego County and the Pacific Ocean. On most days, Santa Catalina Island, some 65 mi (105 km) south, is visible. On clear days, other Channel Islands visible include San Clemente Island at 95 mi (153 km), Santa Barbara Island at 76 mi (122 km), San Nicolas Island at 107 mi (172 km), Santa Cruz Island at 98 mi (158 km) and San Miguel Island at 133 mi (214 km). At an elevation of 5,710 ft (1,740 m), the horizon on the ocean extends 92 mi (148 km).

Mount Wilson is also heavily utilized for relay broadcasting of radio and television for the Greater Los Angeles Area.

^ ^a ^b "Wilson Peak". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
^ "Mount Wilson, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 20, 2013.

[ngs-1] "Wilson Peak". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 17, 2009.

[pb-2] "Mount Wilson, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 20, 2013.

[1]

[2]