🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
59°F, Clear Sky. Wind 1 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
💨 Wind
1 mph S
Gusts to 4 mph
💧 Humidity
63%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:56 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:21 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
11 am
☀️
60°
Feels 58°
💨 2/16
2 pm
☀️
65°
Feels 64°
💨 1/17
5 pm
☀️
69°
Feels 67°
💨 3/14
8 pm
🌙
58°
Feels 57°
💨 4/15
11 pm
🌙
54°
Feels 52°
💨 4/17
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
59% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
55% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
46% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
39% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
💨
High Wind — Avoid Exposed Ridges
💧 Humidity
45% Comfortable
👁 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 13, 9:07 am
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.
40 years on California trails. Biweekly trail conditions, seasonal hike picks,
and June's Dog Report — straight to your inbox. Free.
✅ You're in! Check your inbox to confirm.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Powered by beehiiv.
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.
