30james-
I was in the LA area for ten years. My view is the transmitters and towers are likely to survive an earthquake far better than the flatlands of the LA basin. During an earthquake the rock of the mountain is likely a better ride than the softer soil below, and the buildings and towers are on the top of the ridge with minimal risk from landslide. A more likely issue from an earthquake is loss of electric power and road access from damage to the road.
A falling accident could happen at any time. As I recall it is definitely possible to drive off Red Box Road. At that time, portions of the road had only a curb and maybe a one-foot hump of dirt. Enough speed and vehicle mass, and you can go right over the side.
During Winter, when it was raining, and the temperature was declining I made it a point to leave the summit when the temperature reached about 36 degrees. The goal is to reach warmer lower altitude. In times of still air with no inversions, Mount Wilson is nearly 20 degrees cooler than Santa Monica. If it was in the low 50's in LA and raining, conditions could be icy on the road approaching the summit.
Other times of the year rocks can fall on the road, and they can fracture into sharp edges that puncture tires. It is possible to drive around a blind corner into freshly fallen rocks and immediately have four shredded tires.
As I recall, this forest recreation area is NOT family friendly in the safety sense. Excited, running children can easily run right off a trail to a 400-foot sheer drop. I've witnessed kids running ahead of their parents towards a precipice, and it is a horrifying feeling.
None of this is unusual or special. It is the normal situation at several dozen mountaintop sites in the west. Mount Wilson is a drive in the park compared to other sites. At other sites there may be a one lane dirt road, with maybe a two-foot shoulder on one side with a major drop off below.
As someone else mentioned, wildfire is a risk. An engineer may avoid being burned to death. However, I am not so sure the breathing air will be survivable, if one side of the mountain is roaring flames.
I was in the LA area for ten years. My view is the transmitters and towers are likely to survive an earthquake far better than the flatlands of the LA basin. During an earthquake the rock of the mountain is likely a better ride than the softer soil below, and the buildings and towers are on the top of the ridge with minimal risk from landslide. A more likely issue from an earthquake is loss of electric power and road access from damage to the road.
A falling accident could happen at any time. As I recall it is definitely possible to drive off Red Box Road. At that time, portions of the road had only a curb and maybe a one-foot hump of dirt. Enough speed and vehicle mass, and you can go right over the side.
During Winter, when it was raining, and the temperature was declining I made it a point to leave the summit when the temperature reached about 36 degrees. The goal is to reach warmer lower altitude. In times of still air with no inversions, Mount Wilson is nearly 20 degrees cooler than Santa Monica. If it was in the low 50's in LA and raining, conditions could be icy on the road approaching the summit.
Other times of the year rocks can fall on the road, and they can fracture into sharp edges that puncture tires. It is possible to drive around a blind corner into freshly fallen rocks and immediately have four shredded tires.
As I recall, this forest recreation area is NOT family friendly in the safety sense. Excited, running children can easily run right off a trail to a 400-foot sheer drop. I've witnessed kids running ahead of their parents towards a precipice, and it is a horrifying feeling.
None of this is unusual or special. It is the normal situation at several dozen mountaintop sites in the west. Mount Wilson is a drive in the park compared to other sites. At other sites there may be a one lane dirt road, with maybe a two-foot shoulder on one side with a major drop off below.
As someone else mentioned, wildfire is a risk. An engineer may avoid being burned to death. However, I am not so sure the breathing air will be survivable, if one side of the mountain is roaring flames.
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