○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
5.4 miRound Trip
1,400 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2.5-4 hoursEst. Time
3,207 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Echo Mountain via Sam Merrill Trail

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🟡
High Heat — Plan Around It
Start by 7am. Carry 3+ liters. Avoid exposed ridgelines after 10am. Watch for heat exhaustion.
☀️
90°
Clear Sky
Feels 86°F
💨 Wind
5 mph SE
Gusts to 11 mph
💧 Humidity
19%
Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:58 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:17 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
8 pm
🌙
87°
Feels 84°
💨 10/28
11 pm
🌙
83°
Feels 82°
💨 10/28
5-Day Forecast
🌙
Today
Clear Sky
87°F
feels 84°
💨 Wind/Gust
10/28 NNE
💧 Humidity
24% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌥️
Sat, Oct 17
Few Clouds
76°F
feels 75°
💨 Wind/Gust
10/25 NNE
💧 Humidity
39% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
11% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Sun, Oct 18
Scattered Clouds
72°F
feels 70°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/7 NNE
💧 Humidity
37% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
46% Partly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Oct 19
Clear Sky
64°F
feels 61°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/4 N
💧 Humidity
33% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Tue, Oct 20
Clear Sky
55°F
feels 53°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/11 E
💧 Humidity
57% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 16, 6:11 pm

A legendary front-country route out of Altadena following the original 1890s Echo Mountain Incline Railway path. Stone foundations, historic plaques, an echo phone, and sweeping views of the LA Basin await at the top.

Trail Overview

This trail is iconic for good reason. The ruins at the top are genuinely fascinating — stone foundations, a still-functioning echo phone, and interpretive signs about the resort that once sat here in the 1890s. The climb is consistent and honest — no flat sections that lull you into thinking it will level off. In summer start before 8am. The trail faces south and bakes. Fall through spring this trail is exceptional.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate hikers who want a satisfying workout with excellent historical interest. Great introduction to San Gabriel front-country climbing. Dog-friendly with good trail surface.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip in summer heat unless you start before 7am. Skip if historical ruins do not interest you — the summit has limited shade for lingering.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Consistent singletrack. Well-maintained. No technical sections. Loose dirt and gravel on steeper sections.

Shade: Mostly Exposed

Water: None — Carry All Water. No water on trail. Carry at least 2 liters.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Very popular Altadena trail. Weekend mornings crowded. Weekdays manageable.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Street parking fills on popular days.

This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

👞

The Trail Report — Real Conditions. No Hype.

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5.4 miRound Trip
1400 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2.5-4 hoursEst. Time
3207 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Loma Alta Drive Trailhead, Altadena, CA 91001
Parking: Street parking on Loma Alta Drive. Free. No lot. Park before the gate. No Adventure Pass required.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: Good
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Street parking fills on popular days.

Trail Reality Check

This trail is iconic for good reason. The ruins at the top are genuinely fascinating — stone foundations, a still-functioning echo phone, and interpretive signs about the resort that once sat here in the 1890s. The climb is consistent and honest — no flat sections that lull you into thinking it will level off. In summer start before 8am. The trail faces south and bakes. Fall through spring this trail is exceptional.

Terrain: Consistent singletrack. Well-maintained. No technical sections. Loose dirt and gravel on steeper sections.
Shade: Mostly Exposed
Water: None — Carry All Water — No water on trail. Carry at least 2 liters.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Busy — Very popular Altadena trail. Weekend mornings crowded. Weekdays manageable.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers who want a satisfying workout with excellent historical interest. Great introduction to San Gabriel front-country climbing. Dog-friendly with good trail surface.
Who should skip this: Skip in summer heat unless you start before 7am. Skip if historical ruins do not interest you — the summit has limited shade for lingering.