Echo Mountain House Ruins and Mount Lowe Railway

Hiking any mountain is always beautiful and peaceful, standing high above the chaotic world with the clouds racing by in silence. Add ruins of a scenic railway and a hotel, to us, makes it even more appealing. Echo Mountain House ruins, and Mount Lowe Railway reached out to pull us in, and we are so glad it did.

The hike begins at the Cobb Estate at the very top of N. Lake Avenue in Altadena, north of Pasadena and continues along the Sam Merrill Trail for approximately 2.5-miles in the San Gabriel Mountains. 

Entering through the opening to the right of the Cobb Estate main gates, we walked along the old driveway to the trail marker on the right.

First stop was the water fountain which happened to be quite ferocious!

This is the view that awaits after the water fountain. The beginning of the trail before the steep ascent.

We had to cross over a large, dry creek bed where there was a huge flood break before continuing on the winding pathway.

The trail starts a steady incline, and there are areas to stop and admire the views of Pasadena. On clear days, downtown LA is also visible. We were able to make out the skyscrapers in the distance, but the smog was pretty thick.

Continuing on, there are sections where nature grows over the path creating these beautiful visuals.

one mile complete, one and a half to go

Mile marker 1 on the trail to Echo Mountain. Only another 1.5-miles to go to the ruins

Looking back at the trail it feels like we have already done a couple of miles and we haven’t reached halfway yet.

The trail gets more difficult the higher up we go. It is easy to slip on the loose stones or trip over the rocks jutting from the ground. In fact, on our way up around this section, we saw a gentleman with bloody knees jogging back downhill.

We came across a split in the trail. The left turn takes you up to Inspiration Point on the Castle Canyon Trail. To get to the ruins, you need to turn right, and they are about 100 yards along the shaded trail. We actually asked a young couple as there was no signpost.

history of the Mount Lowe railway

The railway, incorporated by Professor Thaddeus S.C. Lowe and his business partner, civil engineer David J Macpherson was in service from 1893 – 1936. It was the only scenic mountain, overhead electric trolley railroad ever built in the US and had 7 miles of track starting at Altadena.

Echo Chalet, which had 40 rooms was open for the trains virgin trip on 4th July 1893. Echo Mountain House was completed the following year.

Lowe only owned and operated the railway for seven years. Nearly in financial ruin, the railway and hotels fell into receivership leaving Lowe with only the title to the observatory. It became officially abandoned in 1941 and sold for salvage for less than $1000. Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places for all to enjoy.

This is one of those places you wish would still be around. Maybe if it were built later on, it would still be in operation today.

finally, we arrived

Best we can speculate from one of the photos, this may be near where the large water reservoir was located. Andrea is standing on the foundation of the square building that was next to it.

Where once stood the Casino Dance Hall and tennis courts is now a picnic area. You can sit in the shade and have a nibble at one of the picnic benches or just stroll around the ruins.

Circa 1900 – dance Hall and Tennis Courts slideshow

time to explore the incline remnants

After a good old mooch around and our cheese and marmite sandwiches eaten, we decided to return to the trail to see what else we could find.

Just a little way along are the last remnants of the incline railway and a historical marker which reads:-

Historical Marker: Cable wheel, last remnant of incline section. Mt Lowe Railway, Rubio Canyon to Echo Mt., 1893 – 1938, Built by Prof. T.S.C. Lowe. D.J. MacPherson, Engineer. Erected 1963 by Pasadena Historical Society, Altadena Historical Society, Pasadena Pioneer Association, US Forest Service

last remnants of the incline railway – slideshow

echo mountain house

The Victorian hotel opened its doors to the public in November 1894 at an estimated cost of construction and furnishings of $63,000. It boasted 70 rooms and prices started at $15.00 per week attracting over three million guests. Isn’t that amazing, something of that grandeur cost less than a car nowadays and renting a room for a week was the cost of a couple of cups of coffee!

The “L-shaped” building was four-stories high with a 400-foot wing. All the interior was furnished in natural wood.

Behind the grand entry were the main dining area, a billiard room, a social gathering place, a barbers shop and a post and telegraph office. In addition to Office space, a curio shop, a bowling alley and a shoeshine stand.

Other buildings in this location included an astronomy observatory, car barns, dorms for employees, repair facilities, a power generating station and a small petting zoo. The casino and dance hall were built c1904.

The resort complex, known as “The White City in the Sky”, unfortunately, was short-lived. Echo Mountain House burnt to the ground in January 1900 caused by a kitchen fire and was never rebuilt. Further disaster struck in 1905. Another fire destroyed the recently built casino and dance hall (which had been built just a few months previously as part of the Pacific Electric Railway improvements).  This fire, caused by high winds blowing the roof off onto the power generating station razored the remaining buildings. Only the astronomer’s cabin and observatory remained until a strong Santa Ana wind demolished them in 1928.

moments in time

These are the types of photos that haunt my thoughts. I want to step into them and live there for a day. Breath in the clean air, carry on a conversation that isn’t interrupted by or taking place on a cell phone. Basque in the luxury of the day and experience a moment in time that lives imprinted on paper.

shout, shout, let it all out

An echo phone was installed for people to communicate with other areas in the mountain. It was fun to shout a “Hello” and hear it echoing through the mountain.

On the opposite side, high up on a ridge, there is a roofed structure. This is Inspiration Point where you can get great panoramic views of Southern California if it’s a clear day that is. Otherwise, you do get a fantastic view of the ruins.

Echo Mountain House Ruins – slideshow

then and now – mt. lowe railway – what remains

A short video of what became of the railway and Echo Mountain House. Quite sad!

in a nutshell – echo mountain House ruins and mount lowe railway

• Address: Top of N. Lake Avenue and E Loma Alta Drive, Altadena
• The trail starts at the Cobb Estate
• Parking on the side of the road (no parking after 10 pm)
• Moderate hike 6-mile round trip on loose surface
• 2.5-miles steep ascent to ruins – return 2.5-miles steep decent
• Some shade
• Approximately 1,500 feet elevation gain
• No amenities
• Picnic area at the ruins – no garbage disposal
• Pack it in, Pack it out – LEAVE NO TRACE – that includes loo paper ladies when you wee!
• This is Bear Country
• Watch for snakes in warm weather
• Poison Oak
• Wear suitable clothing – long sleeves, hat, hiking boots
• Take sunscreen
• Ensure you have plenty of water – take more than what you think you need
• Dog-friendly – go early. Dogs have a fur coat – you don’t! It is easy for them to overheat. Take extra water for your four-legged friend

location map of Echo Mountain House Ruins

For those of you with a real interest in the history of this wondrous site, here is a 30-minute video I found on YouTube. With original footage of the railway and hotels. It really is amazing to see.