○ 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
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
65°F, Clear Sky. Wind 1 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
🌙
65°
Clear Sky
Feels 64°F
💨 Wind
1 mph N
Gusts to 2 mph
💧 Humidity
77%
High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:28 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:15 pm
Off trail by this
5-Day Forecast
🌙
Sat, Sep 5
Clear Sky
64°F
feels 63°
💨 Wind/Gust
5/5 ENE
💧 Humidity
74% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Sun, Sep 6
Scattered Clouds
70°F
feels 68°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/3 E
💧 Humidity
39% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
49% Partly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Sep 7
Clear Sky
69°F
feels 70°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/1 ENE
💧 Humidity
81% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌙
Tue, Sep 8
Clear Sky
73°F
feels 72°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/4 E
💧 Humidity
38% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
3% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Wed, Sep 9
Overcast Clouds
76°F
feels 75°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/4 NE
💧 Humidity
31% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
100% Overcast
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Sep 4, 11:31 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.

👞

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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.