Echo Mountain to Inspiration Point (Altadena Area)

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Description:

One of the greatest historical hikes in the Angeles National Forest.

This route used to be the right of way for the Lowe Mountain Railway. We will go up up up the trail to the ruins of an old hotel that burned down in 1936 on the top of Lowe Mountain. You will see the ruins of the hotel, ruins of the railroad that served it (which was the greatest incline railroad in the world), a megaphone that points up to Inspiration point (your second destination). The megaphone is great fun…yell into it and hear your echo being repeated over and over again. There are also remnants of a reservoir and an observatory nearby to check out, and then you can take a well-deserved break before heading up the Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point above. This is the perfect spot for lunch as there are tables, places to sit and viewing tubes installed in the 30s that are pointed at various L.A. landmarks (e.g. Catalina Island, San Pedro, and other points of interest).

Transport: (Parking can be a problem at the trail head on weekends)

Option 1: Meet at Towsley Canyon parking area in front of the green gate at 7:20AM to arrange carpools. We will leave at 7:30AM SHARP for Altadena.

Option 2: Meet at the Altadena Trailhead - Cobb Estate Gate at 8:10AM. Directions to trailhead below.

The group will leave the trailhead at 8.15AM SHARP!

(Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas - THX).

Directions to the Trail head:

Take 210 East from Santa Clarita. From the 210, take the Lake Avenue exit North over the highway - from Pasadena into Altadena. Continue on Lake Ave. north as it climbs the hill. Parking is at the end of the street, near the sharp left hand turn (E. Loma Alta Dr.), outside the large gates of the Cobb Estate. No permits are required, street parking only.

Bring: Water (3 liters is recommended), electrolytes if it is a hot day, sunscreen, hat, lunch/ snacks, hiking poles (which are very helpful on the climb up), and your camera. Wear layered clothing in case it gets hot or cold. Wear good boots with lots of tread on this trail.

Distance: 10.4 miles total.

Rated: Strenuous

Leader: George

Asst Leader/ Sweep: Steve I.