Echo Mountain

Sam Merrill Trail

Professor Thaddeus Sobreski Coulincourt Lowe's Echo Mountain Resort area can be visited by retracing the tracks of his "Railway to the Clouds" and also by way of a fine urban edge trail that ascends from the outskirts of Altadena.

This historic hike visits the ruins of the one-time "White City" atop Echo Mountain. From the steps of the old Echo Mountain House are great clear-day views of the megalopolis. Energetic hikers can join trails leading to Inspiration Point and Idlehour campground.

Pasadena and Altadena citizens have been proud to share their fascination with the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. This pride has extended to the trails ascending from these municipalities into the mountains.

Local citizens, under the auspices of the Forest Conservation Club, built a trail from the outskirts of Altadena to Echo Mountain during the 1930s. During the next decade, retired Los Angeles Superior Court clerk Samuel Merrill overhauled and maintained the path. When Merrill died in 1948, the trail was named for him.

Sam Merrill Trail begins at the former Cobb Estate, now a part of Angeles National Forest. A plaque placed by the Altadena Historical Society dedicates the estate ground as "a quiet place for people and wildlife forever."

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The hike: From the great iron gate of the old Cobb Estate, follow the trail along the chain-link fence.  The path dips into Las Flores Canyon, crosses a seasonal creek in the canyon bottom, then begins to climb. As you begin your earnest, but well-graded ascent, enjoy good, over-the-shoulder views of the San Gabriel Valley and downtown Los Angeles. Two long, steep and mostly shadeless miles of travel brings you to a signed junction. Bear right and walk 100 yards along the bed of the old Mount Lowe Railway to the Echo Mountain ruins. Just before the ruins is a drinking fountain, very welcome if it's a hot day.

Up top, you'll spot the railway's huge bull wheel, now embedded in cement, and just below is a pile of concrete rubble, all that remains of the railway depot.

Energetic hikers can join signed trails that lead to Mt. Lowe Camp and to Inspiration Point and Idlehour Campground.

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The steps and foundation of the Echo Mountain House are great places to take a break and enjoy the view straight down precipitous Rubio Canyon, the route of Lowe's railway. A bit down the mountain to the east stood another hotel--the Chalet--but nothing remains of it.

Echo Mountain takes its name from the echo that bounces around the semicircle of mountain walls. I've never managed to get very good feedback; perhaps even echoes fade with time.

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