For my free day in LA, some of you friends recommended hiking up the Angeles Crest, but many of the summits are still under snow, and much of the area is now recovering from the 2009 Station Fire. A bit closer in, I found something that was sure to be snow free, with some charming history to boot!
I started early in the morning at the Sam Merrill Trailhead, located at the very eastern end of Lake St. in Pasadena. The trail crosses Las Flores Canyon and climbs up about 1400 feet in 2.7 miles to Echo Mountain.
Tons of ceanothus in bloom along the trail:
The summit of Echo Mountain is the former location of "White City", a popular recreational area at the turn of the century, with a hotel, spa, casino, observatory and rail station. Bits of crumbling foundation stonework, and iron parts and artifacts remain, along with some great historical photos and storyboards.
Check out this historical photo. Note the mountain and the rock wall on the right.
The same spot today:
Now I feel like a real Splintercat!
Stuff from the old powerhouse:
charming signs here and there...
The hotel foundation:
Oh, and spectacular views westward of LA and the ocean.
Echo Mountain is aptly named. A megaphone is provided behind the hotel pointing toward the opposing wall of the eastern ridge. Whatever you shout bounces right back loud and clear!
After goofing around in the ruins, it was starting to heat up and get busy with hikers arriving, so I took the Castle Canyon Trail upward- one of three options for loops from Echo Mountain. The trail was more rugged and shaded, and I had absolute solitude, climbing another 1500 feet up to Inspiration Point:
View along the way:
They called this the ramada, and each of those little black flags has a fixed tube you look through to spot features on the skyline.
The west was a bit hazy to see all the points, and I did not see the ostrich farm or the mountains on the moon either!
Now if you came up here on foot or via the Mount Lowe Railway in 1900, you could take another ride out to Panorama Point. This would be on a narrow gauge railbed on the OMM ( One Man and Mule) railway. In order to keep you from getting all dusty, Henry PUSHED the railcar.
I goofed around on this ridgetop visiting Panorama Point and Muir Peak before heading back down on the Sam Merrill trail.
This was a great hike, with some nice surprises. I recommend it if you have a day to get away next time you visit LA. The trip described was about 12 miles, 2900 ft elevation gain, and you can find more details on Summitpost, search for Muir Peak.
Great job Jen, you're kind of my hero!
