Final Stats:

SW Ridge of Muir Peak
Gain: 2200 ft
Distance: 3.6 miles

Great Incline to Inspiration Point
Gain: 2900 ft
Distance: 7.8 miles

A double hike

Others’ photos and Meetup link here

GPS track here

KML Google Earth file

Muir Peak SW Ridge Exploration at EveryTrail

The hike with the group was starting at 10 am, but I knew I would wake up earlier and figured I might as well do some pre-hike hiking. We had previously hiked up to Inspiration Point then over to Muir Peak and descended a small portion of its SW ridge, so I figured it would be a good time to explore the lower portion of the ridge.

Of course, one could say there is never a “good time” to hike through brush, and that’s probably the case. But it takes me a while to learn I guess. Certainly the couple who I spoke to before I departed thought I was an odd one. They asked if I was going to along the trail (Altadena Crest trail), and I pointed “I’m gonna go up that ridge over there”. Their confused faces said it all. “Why in the world would someone do that?”

To just do it, of course. And I did. I parked right off a small street than peters out just below the AC trail with a switchback leading up. I followed the trail for probably 2 minutes before reaching the bottom of the subsidiary ridge. There are multiple ridges one could choose to start then end up along the SW ridge of Muir Peak, and some others are probably better than this. There was, I guess, a slight “use trail”, but not really. Basically very overgrown on the lower end. I ended up hiking past 3 electric line towers, and continued up to point 2820. On the topo map this is marked as Mt. Lowe, and there are 2 survey markers.

From here I traversed a bith NE then a nice, steep climb, turning NW until getting to bump 3681. This was my goal and turn-around point. From here, the brush appears to lessen with a firebreak which one can take all the way up. I descended the same way, and was reminded of Iron Mt-like terrain – the terrible crumbly San Gabriel rock that is too weak to be steady on but not soft enough scree to do controlled slides on. Luckily I made it down only slipping on my ass twice.

GPS track here

KML Google Earth file

Echo, Inspiration Point via Great Incline at EveryTrail

Afterward, I drove over to Rubio Canyon for the group hike. We got started a bit after 10, heading up Rubio Canyon and the Great Incline. I still can’t believe they had a tramway here a hundred years ago!

Just as we started ascended the switchbacks out of the canyon there was a decent amount of poison oak hugging the trail for the first few switchback. It can be avoided but be careful and aware…and don’t fall into it (Ray).

We continued to switchback up to a point where an ‘easier’ trail veers east / northeast, then hikes up the eastern side of Echo. Most of us continued straight up heading NW. The use trail was adorned with yucca, one of which was gracious enough to penetrate my hand in 4 locations. But with some sense they could be avoided, which left just the 2000 ft/mile incline to deal with.

Upon arriving at Echo, the steep part was finished. From here we took the Castle Canyon trail (a front range favorite of mine) up to Inspiration Point. Since it was John’s birthday, everyone brought up food to share which we enjoyed under the shaded (thankfully) lookout. We ate, had some beer, enjoyed the pleasant weather (better than down below), and returned the way we came.

Running to the finish

Final Stats:

Gain: 4800 ft
Distance: 12.5 miles
Ascent: 1000 ft / mile
Descent: 630 ft / mile

We always seem to find the steep stuff.

Others’ photos and Meetup link here

John’s TR here

GPS track here

KML Google Earth file

Our hikes seem to turn into cross-country trips quite easily. This time our trip focused on ascent of Mt Lowe from the soutwest, but not necessarily in the usual way. Instead of taking the Lower Sam Merrill trail, we ascended the ridge west of Las Flores Canyon. This ridge increased in steepness, culminating in some scrambling for a few hundred feet until we intersected the Mt Lowe fireroad.

We headed down to Echo Mt and picked up the Castle Canyon trail to Inspiration point. Up there we ran into a Sierra WTC group (like 30 people), snacked a bit, and headed on toward Mt Lowe.

Instead of taking either of the east/west trails, we traversed a small ridge that begins around the east trail. The ridge quickly turns into a steep hike / scramble up the SW face of Mt Lowe for the last 600 ft till hitting the SE ridge. The final 400-500 ft were at a 50% grade! This portion was quite fun, and certainly a better way to head up! From the SE ridge, it was a short jaunt to the summitt.

Mt Lowe Cross Country at EveryTrail

We descended down the Mt Lowe west trail, and before hitting Inspriation Point, we headed up toward Inspiration Peak. We then traversed the ridgeline westerly, going over several small bumps along the way. Knowing that the middle Sam Merrill trail wraps around this ridge, we would have liked to descend to the SW to pick up the trail, but with decent fog cover and not wanting to miss the trail, we decided to descend to the north. We hit the trail a few hundred feet down.

From there, we took the middle Sam Merrill trail back to Echo, where we ran into another large Sierra WTC group (they were everywhere, and all spread out). We chatted for a bit, then headed down the lower Sam Merril trail back to cars.

Selected Pictures

Up the first ridge

Ascent up to Mt Lowe

Looking back toward Inspiration Point

Some hanky panky going on?

Civilization peering out

Videos

The final ascent up the ridge west of Las Flores canyon:

Ascent up the SW face of Mt Lowe.

Andy climbing some pole on top of Mt Lowe

Hail coming down on top of Mt Lowe

Stream:

Final portion of descent down to middle Sam Merrill trail. Look for the nice slip at the end.

This trail starts at the top of Lake Ave in Altadena where the gate of the Cobb estate is located. The first trail (Sam Merrill trail) takes you up 2.5 miles up to Echo Mtn. This trail is well maintained and is really popular among the locals. But this also means that aside from being crowded at times, it gets very hot during the summer. During the summer and sometimes fall months, the best time to head up is before 9am. This way the eastern sun stays behind the mountain and offers you some shade for the ascent.

The first major stop is Echo Mtn. By this time, you would have gained about 1400′ in those 2.5 miles. A nice workout already. The picture below left sums up how the Sam Merrill trail is like all the way up. Below right is some kids hanging out and enjoying the view at Echo Mtn.

Once at Echo Mtn., you can do some exploring of this historical site and check out what was left of the old resort.

After you’ve explored a bit, head back the way you came for about 100 yards. The trail you’re looking for is Castle Canyon. If you take the Sunset trail, you’ll immediately start ascending. This is not the path. Castle Canyon actually is level for a little bit until you reach the other side of a small creek. Here is where the elevation gain begins.

The Castle Canyon trail is composed mostly of switchbacks and at parts is exposed to a slight drop off. But it’s nothing too much to worry about. As you near the top, the trail makes a sharp right and you’re greeted with the picture below.

From this point, it’s about 200 yards. But if it’s hot, this will the toughest section of the day. This portion is nothing but exposed, and the rocks along the trail just radiates the heat back up. But if you can, finish it strong. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.

Once you’re done relaxing here, head back the same way. Getting back shouldn’t pose too much of a problem unless you’ve run out of water and the temperature is 100+. Otherwise, its easy.

Total gain is roughly 2700′ at about 9 miles.