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Volunteers and V olunteer‑Run Mount Wilson Events Strain City Logistics; Forest Service Trail Closure Raises Concerns
Summary
Organizers said the October 5 Mount Wilson Trail race and an October 4 town 5K drew more participants than expected (race registrations cut off at 600) and highlighted volunteer trail‑maintenance work; US Forest Service closure of Mount Wilson and Bailey Canyon Trails through Dec. 31 drew concern about long‑term public access and local spending on
Mount Wilson Trail Race organizers and volunteers told the Sierra Madre City Council that the event this fall drew substantially more participants than anticipated and spotlighted the volunteer effort that maintains the trails, while also raising concerns after the U.S. Forest Service closed the Mount Wilson and Bailey Canyon trails through Dec. 31.
Pete Sibiro, speaking for the Mount Wilson Trail Race Committee, thanked the city and multiple departments that supported the new in‑town 5K and trail events and described volunteer contributions: 180 people had helped on trail work since January. The town 5K portion drew so many participants that organizers capped registration at 600. The committee uses the Fletcher Trail Maintenance Fund to pay for materials and tools, and race organizers said they are considering how the October event should relate to the traditional May Mount Wilson Trail race going forward.
Sibiro warned the council the Forest Service closure could extend beyond Dec. 31 and urged the city to work with partner agencies, including congressional staff, to restore access. Council members later asked how the race’s vendor and registration costs are managed; staff said registrations are processed by the city and used to pay vendors, with an optional registration donation that can be routed to the Fletcher fund. The council noted the event was intended to be cost neutral for the city.
Why it matters: the Mount Wilson trails are a regional draw and bring visitors whose local spending supports Sierra Madre businesses. The race organizers framed the event as both a community fundraiser and a public‑awareness effort for trail maintenance, while the Forest Service closure poses a possible economic and recreational loss for local residents and businesses.
What came of it: Council members thanked organizers and staff; staff confirmed that race registration and event invoices are handled through city accounts and that registration includes an optional trail‑donation component. Organizers said they will coordinate with the city about whether the October 5 5K should remain a recurring event in addition to the traditional May trail race.
