Mt. Lowe Railway Loop Tour - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Mt. Lowe Railway Loop Tour
Country:	United States
State:	California
Nearby Town:	AltaDena
Rating:
Directions:	From 134 FWY Exit Lake ave. in Pasadena. Go North until Lake turns to left to Loma Alta Drive. The Cobb Estate is Located at this Junction. Look for a large stone Wall with a gate. Park on the street. No Adventure pass Needed
Total Hike Distance:	12.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Cobb Estate
Trails Used:	Sam Merril Trail, Echo Mountain Trail, Mt. Lowe fire road, Castle Canyon Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Angeles National Forest 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006 626-574-1613 www.r5.fs.fed.us/angeles
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Bikers, Dogs, Horses
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	#23 In John W. Robinson's "Trails of The Angeles" 2800' Elevation Gain This is a scenic hike with great historical interest and significance. The history of Mount Lowe is as compelling as its far-reaching views. The high points of this hike are its front range location, and two outstanding vista points (Echo Mountain, and Inspiration point) and the informative historical markers placed along the route. The views justify T.S.C. Lowe’s tremendous work and expense to build one of the most notable engineering marvels of the 19th century. The Historical photos placed at the locations they were taken, give you a real sense of being there. Another plus is the multitude of trails. This hike can be done in many different routes and parts. I have listed separately some different possibilities (I use “Trails of the Angeles” hikes by number as a catalog) but, many more are possible. With all of these things going for it, as well as its close proximity to local neighborhoods, it’s not surprising that it’s a popular hike. Unlike the sunset ridge trail coming up from Millard, the Sam Merrill trail is wide enough to support the scores of hikers and mountain bikers that use it. The Sam Merrill trail starts at the old Cobb Estate at the end of Lake Ave. in Altadena. You cross Los Flores canyon and climb its slope to Echo Mountain (2.5mi). You can explore The Echo Mountain site for a while or continue on. You will return this way via The Castle Canyon Trail. Be sure to look at the various historical interest signs located along the way. Continue to the Mount Lowe fire road (Old Railway bed). Go right (N), continue to the Cape of Good Hope. Just above is the Trail junction to the Dawn Mine and the restored bench where miners waited for railway cars to take them of the mountain. As you continue up the road you will pass the Circular Bridge, Horseshoe curve, The Granite Gate, and many other remnants of the old railway. There are also sight tubes pointed at various locations around Southern California. Four miles from Echo Mountain you reach the Site of the old Tavern. This site is now used as a trail camp. There are some historical signs placed at a few different locations around the camp. There is a season stream which runs alongside the camp. There is some definite bear activity here, keep that in mind if you chose to camp here for the night. From The tavern continue up the fire road (SE) to Inspiration point (0.5mi). The view here is great, especially at sunset. Echo Mountain is visible directly ahead. You can also look through the restored sight tubes to a multitude of different locations, Long Beach, Venice, Catalina, and Hollywood to name a few (weather/haze permitting). When you are done sightseeing, take an unmarked trail that is located immediately east of the gazebo (Castle Canyon Trail). This narrow trail winds around the canyon and across a small stream 2 miles to Echo Mountain. It’s mostly easy going but is a bit narrow in spots so take care when there has been recent rainfall. The footing might be loose. The Castle Canyon trail ends at the picnic area just behind the old Echo Mountain hotel site. Walk up the stairs and go right to reach the Sam Merrill trail from which you came to return.