Hiking the Angeles: Mt. Lowe

After a busy week which included our annual field trip to Catalina Island, I wanted to hike a peak, but also one allowing for a bit of extra rest to sleep in after a very active trip. I decided to revisit an old haunt, one that I had gotten close to, but had not gone to the summit since before the pandemic that upended life over four years ago: Mt. Lowe.

In the literal days before the Covid-19 pandemic closures, Sami and I took a trip up Angeles Crest Highway to Eaton Saddle in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. While considered a popular trailhead as there are several peaks that can be accessed from the saddle, it isn’t nearly as crowded as those more accessible from Altadena and Pasadena. It was well worth the 40 minute drive from our house to reach the relatively quiet trailhead. This past Saturday, I revisited the peak, taking a similar route, rather than heading up from Echo Mountain to Inspiration Point like I did the last time I visited Mt. Lowe Trail Camp.

The day started mostly cloudy, however this cleared up on the drive up, revealing a bright blue sky and while the weather was warming up, there was still a hint of crispness in the air. It was a smooth drive getting up to Eaton Saddle; from I-210 we took CA-2 east to Mt. Wilson Red Box Road. On Red Box Road, there is a small parking area near the trailhead that is easy to miss, and can get crowded pretty quickly. Indeed, I did miss the parking area the last time Sami and I hiked this trail, as there was an biking adventure trailer blocking several spots. Fortunately on this trip, the trailhead was not very busy, and we easily parked the Subie and begin our hike.

We stopped at the trailhead and read the signs commemorating the history of the Mt. Lowe Railroad during the ‘golden age of hiking.’ This was also a good opportunity for me to reapply some sunblock, and then we got on with our hike. We hiked west on the Mt. Lowe Motorway and passed through the Mueller Tunnel, an historic tunnel cut into the base of San Gabriel Peak. The U.S. Forest Service stamp is still visible, along with the year 1942.

After about a half-mile, we came to Markham Saddle, and took the Upper Sam Merrill Trail, which paralleled the road for a while. Soon enough, we reached the junction to climb Mt. Lowe. The approximately mile-long climb was rather easy; though there were a few points where the trail was rather narrow and rocky, it wasn’t long before we reached the summit.

From the summit, we enjoyed the views of the surrounding peaks, as well as a lovely view of the San Gabriel Valley. There was still some cloud cover, but on very clear days, you can see the Los Angeles Basin clear to the Pacific Ocean. We took some photos and looked through the telescopes pointing out other prominent peaks, such as nearby Mt. Wilson and Mt. Disappointment, visible from the top of Mt. Lowe, then found a spot in the limited shade to enjoy our snacks and chat with a fellow hiker. After whiling away the remainder of the late morning, it was time to head back the way we came to Eaton Saddle and back to the car.

By then, the morning had turned to early afternoon, and while the temperatures were still pleasant, it was starting to get warm. Even with the bit of heat, this was an easier trek down than the last time when snow on the ground made getting down rather more dicey. The dry trail conditions were much more comfortable, especially on the more narrow and rocky parts of the trail. We made it down fairly quickly, with time to grab some brunch in the charming foothill town of Montrose before heading back home.

Some things to consider:
Adventure passes are required to park anywhere within the Angeles National Forest. These are $5 per day, or $30 for an annual pass. If you plan on visiting other national lands, I recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful National Parks pass for $80.

There are multiple ways to get to Mt. Lowe.  Probably the most commonly trekked is the Sam Merrill Trail to Echo Mountain, then continuing onto Inspiration Point and Mt. Lowe. This route is about 13 miles round trip and steep at points. It is a fun hike on cooler days or with an early start if you’re looking for mileage.

In the winter months, there can be snow on the trail, with the peak being over 5000 feet. When I visited with Sami in 2020, I wasn’t prepared for how much snow we saw.  We should have worn better hiking boots which would have offered more traction given the conditions. Be sure to check conditions before heading out, and as always, bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

This is just one peak that can be accessed from Eaton Saddle. The next time I head up, I hope to hike San Gabriel Peak and Mt. Disappointment. Mt. Markham and Inspiration Point can also be accessed from here. Just pick a happy trail and go.