Lowe historic site interpretive plan forest service usda. In memory of a friend and fellow adventurer, dan zembrosky, whose time to explore this earth was cut short too soon. As altadena went through sometimes tumultuous changes, its sense of community seemed to grow. Hiking echo mountain in altadena, ca took more than 2 hours round trip. This table gives the weather forecast for echo mountain at the specific elevation of 977 m. First, echo mountain itself is the site of the ruins of the echo mountain house a hotel built in the late 1800s by thaddeus lowe. Those with less energy or time can visit the ruins on echo mountain and return the same way.
Local explorers of the mountains altadena historical society. Taking a haunted hike to research the book author gabi. September 26 historical hike along the sam merrill trail to echo mountain mt lowe railway altadena area distance. Hiking echo mountain via the sam merrill trail is a rewarding experience, rich with history. Hometown pasadena received a facebook message from mike simms a few weeks back. The incline cars took over 160,000 patrons to echo mountain in 1921, their busiest year. White city ruins echo mountain dope hikesdope hikes.
The cultural and educational side of the city was throop polytechnic institute not neglected. One of the greatest historical hikes in the angeles national forest. Like forgetting to mention the famous echo phone at the top of echo mountain that everyone. Click here for a complete history of the echo mountainmount lowe resort areas. This historic hike visits the ruins of the white city on echo mountain. Echo mountain, located in the foothills above altadena, california, is a. September 26 historical hike along the sam merrill trail to echo mountain mt lowe railway altadena areadistance. At this point you may want to take the oportunity to view a 1906 panorama of altadena and the southland from above the famous mt. Back in the day circa 1883, the mount lowe railway carried tourists from altadena, ca up the side of this mountain where there used to be a victorian hotel called. The echo chalet, echo mountain house, incline powerhouse, dormitories, and car barn. The hike route used to be the right of way for the lowe mountain. The trail to echo mountain danielle february 2, 2009 history, places.
This hike is of moderate difficulty and allows pooches as long as they are onleash. Lowe historic railway tour running trail, altadena. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of echo mountain. The history adds a story to your trip and it has open air for those who want sun and shaded creeks that feel story book. On echo mountain remnants of the platform at the top of the incline, the stairs leading to the hotel or the casino, the power house foundation, the. For over a year, we have been working to create a park for folks to come up and enjoy. Dec, 2015 mike simms is the curator of the echo mountain ruins above altadena. Historical hike echo mountain mt lowe railway altadena. Talks about growing up in altadena in the 1930s and 1940s, summer movie nights at farnsworth park, life in altadena during wwii, his work on the mt. A short history of pasadena person riding in an open car the land now famous for the tournament of roses, the rose bowl, the jet propulsion laboratory, and california institute of technology, was once occupied by the hahamogna tribe of native americans. The mount lowe railway and, even more, the mount wilson observatory, one of the early 20th centurys great scientific ventures, brought worldwide fame to the san gabriels.
From parade floats to mishaps, discoveries to tragedies, here are a few of the fascinating facts we found in our research for this mount lowe website. En route you are treated to amazing vistas of the urban sprawl while climbing steadily through rich, mature. Back in the day circa 1883, the mount lowe railway carried tourists from altadena, ca up the side of this mountain where there used to be a victorian hotel called the echo house aka the white city. Echo mountain altadena united states california afar. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Publicationsbooks altadena history comes to life in these books. An added tourist attraction was the echo mountain incline railway which opened in 1893 and included a mountain chalet resort and the alpine tavern at crystal springs. A pretty solid incline all the way to echo mountain.
John mckinney, mckinney is the author of hiking books and a regular. Jun 10, 2014 fascinating facts sometimes the most interesting bits of history are not found in history books, but in newspaper clippings and personal accounts from people who lived them. You can descend the old toll road to altadena see hike 27 or the old mount. July 4, 1993 centennial one hundred year dedication at echo mountain. Btw we still have michele zacks altadena history book available. We gather, preserve, and share the history of the people, places, and events that shaped. Mar 08, 2017 most hikes end with a rewarding view, but the sam merrill trail just north of pasadena has an added bonus.
From here, we headed back down to echo mountain, but this time taking the upper. We are happy to do so mike simms is the curator of the echo mountain ruins above altadena. This event was organized by our group specifically brian marcroft, john harrigan and jim spencer. Fascinating facts a digital history of mount lowe altadena. Sadly, a fire took the house out in 1900, and the railway was abandoned in 1938 due to years of. Because of its extraordinary size 3000 x 460 pixels it may take an exended amount of time to downlaod. Best historic site trails near altadena, california. Echo mountain festival of lights hometown pasadena. Along with the echo mountain house, there was also the 40room chalet hotel formerly called the echo mountain house until it was replaced by the new 70room hotel, a powerhouse, an observatory, a zoo, a tavern. It features more than 250 historical images including landmarks, streets, homes, maps and more. Altadena home for sale 1401 rubio street, altadena ca drone tour duration. Jun 28, 2016 hiking echo mountain in altadena, ca took more than 2 hours round trip.
A 100yearold directional sign that pointed to where hikers should proceed to reach the echo mountain promontory was finally installed permanently in the. He was hoping we would help spread the word about the december 20th inauguraland first annualecho mountain festival of lights. There were no roads to this hotel you reached it by an incline railway that climbed over 1,000 feet. Lowe pavilion restoration in 1962, finding relics at echo mountain, and directing traffic on christmas tree lane as a boy scout.
Other infrastructure included a powerhouse, machine shop, reservoir, and the worlds most powerful searchlight. We gather, preserve, and share the history of the people, places, and events that shaped the altadena community. The railway, originally incorporated by professor thaddeus s. Inspiration point loop trail is a 9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near altadena, california that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. When retired lumber magnate charles cobb built an estate in the foothills north of pasadena in 1918, the only indication that the haunted woods behind his house had any ghosts was the name. Long ago, back in the 90s that is the 1890s, the resort built on echo mountain was one of the largest tourist draws in california. California fools gold exploring altadena, the community of the deodars.
Sometimes the most interesting bits of history are not found in history books, but in newspaper clippings and personal accounts from people who lived them. The ultimate in mountain pleasures was the mount lowe railway, which climbed from altadena to echo mountain and on up to famous ye alpine tavern. The echo chalet, echo mountain house, incline powerhouse, dormitories and car barn. This exceptionally large page will need to be scrolled from far left to far right. The great incline a digital history of mount lowe altadena. Moderate, due to gain, this hike is not for beginners description. The authoritative volume to hiking in the san gabriel mountains. Jan 16, 2020 this pin was discovered by terry hamilton. A, which thankfully climbs at a slightly lower grade than the middle sam merrill trail 12w14. The population was 42,777 at the 2010 census, up from 42,610 at the 2000 census. A plaque placed by the altadena historical society dedicates the estate.
Voted one of the top 45 hikes in the west by sunset magazine, the echo mountain trail via the sam merrill trail is definitely worth the hike. Echo mountain 3207, known as the white city, was the heart of the resort with its two hotels elegant echo mountain house and the chalet observatory, and small zoo. Echo mountain is a mountain promontory of the san gabriel mountains, in the angeles national forest. Thaddeus lowes resort, known as the white city, was perched at an elevation of 3,200 feet, overlooking the city of pasadena and a grand stretch of southern california. Can get pretty warm on the hike so id recommend going early. A massive metal dome crowned the structure, and, as on all other buildings that the professor owned, a huge flagpole rose still higher. Lowe historic railway tour hiking trail, altadena, california. Brian marcroft in 1972 hiking up the incline inspiration pt. Echo mountain hiking trails altadena 2020 all you need to.
California fools gold exploring altadena, the community. The first two stops are on echo mountain trail 12w14. Thaddeus lowes 70room echo mountain house, completed in late november, 1894, was painted bright white. An excellent overview of altadena history from the early 1800s to the early 1900s written by a longtime altadena resident. Turn right on the road which keeps climbing but each of the tour stops.
The echo mountain trail is actually a combination of two trails, the lower sam merrill trail and the mount lowe railway trail. Echo mountain hiking trails 17 tips from 1183 visitors. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and bug spray. Echo mountain house in 2020 san gabriel mountains, san. Best historic site trails near altadena, california alltrails. Hikers and bikers still flock to the old resort ruins on trails that follow the route of the mount lowe railway. Rail tourists journeying to rubio pavilion, echo mountain. All converged at calaveras and lake avenue, and altadena became a major hub for mountain tourism. Fascinating series of detailed articles with photos documenting the echo mountain history. Leaders of industry, governors and other notables all rode the chariots to echo mountain during its heyday, and the ride up the incline was heralded as the greatest spectacle in all of california. The hotel featured two twostory wings adjoined by a grand lobby, and a dining. To see the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table.