Main Parking Lot
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Although the idea of a parking lot as an "attraction" seems a little silly, there are a few things of note nearby.
At end of the parking lot nearest the front gate is a plaque commemorating the mountain's first observatory, built by Harvard College Observatory in 1889.
The scenery to the West and South is spectacular, Glendale and Central Los Angeles are visible, and on a very clear day, one can see as far as the Pacific ocean and offshore islands.
At sunset, under the right conditions, the green flash can be observed from here.
The mountain to the southwest is Mt. Harvard on which a part of the Mount Wilson Toll Road is visible. This road was the primary access road to Mount Wilson until the Angeles Crest Highway was opened in 1936.
To the south is a dropoff. In good weather, this cliff is used as a launching spot for hang gliders.
A plaque located at the southeast end of the lot is dedicated to Benjamin Wilson for whom the mountain is named.
The tour continues up the hill to the east at the Pavilion.
Topics
Harvard Observatory
Los Angeles
The Ocean
Green Flash
Mt. Harvard
Hang Gliding
Don Benito
Control Panel
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