Mt. Lowe from Eaton Saddle

Mt. Lowe from Eaton Saddle

• Location: Eaton Saddle, Angeles National Forest.  From I-210 in La Canada, take the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) northeast for 14 miles.  Take a right on the Mt. Wilson Red Box Road and go 2.3 miles to Eaton Saddle.  Park on the right side of the road in a small turnout.   A National Forest Service Adventure Pass ($5 per day or $30 for the year) is required for parking here. Click here to purchase.
• Agency: Angeles National Forest/Los Angeles River Ranger District
• Distance: 3.2  miles
• Elevation gain: 500 feet
• Suggested time: 1.5 hours
• Difficulty rating: PG
• Best season:  Year-round (depending on conditions)
• USGS topo maps: Chilao Flat, Mt. Wilson
• Recommended gear: sun hat; hiking poles; insect repellent
• Recommended guidebook: Afoot & Afield Los Angeles County
• More information: Trip report here and here; Everytrail report here
• Rating: 7

This perennial favorite among L.A. hikers offers wide views and interesting history.  In the winter, snow is not likely to be too much of an obstacle (though you should still check conditions before going) and in the summer, it can be a nice place to escape the heat, although since the trail is exposed, plan accordingly.

From the parking area, pass by the metal gate (look for an interpretive plaque describing the history of the Mt. Lowe Railroad) and follow the dirt road. Right in front of you is the cone-like shape of Mt. Markham.

At 0.3 miles, you reach Mueller Tunnel, built to bypass the infamous Cliff Trail, which allowed literally no room for error (and severe consequences if an error did happen.) Remnants of the trail can still be seen.

On the opposite side of the tunnel, you reach a four-way junction. Head left on the single-track Mt. Lowe Trail, climbing through an area burned in the Station Fire. You get nice views of the canyon as you ascend, following the ridge along Mt. Markham’s north slope. At about a mile, you reach a saddle between Markham and Lowe, where you can see the latter’s summit looming ahead. Hikers with a fear of heights might want to take their time on this stretch; although it’s not as scary as the Cliff Trail, the route does cut pretty close to the edge here.

At 1.3 miles, take a sharp right at a junction and continue your climb. The views continue to be good; you can see Mt. Disappointment with its antenna installations on top. If you’re a long-time hiker, you probably know the story of how Mt. Disappointment got its name, but if you don’t and are interested, you can read about it here.

At 1.5 miles, take a left on a short spur leading to the summit. Even if the air quality is bad (which it usually is during the summer), the view is still impressive: Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto, Saddleback and more. A bench provides a nice resting spot for enjoying the view before heading back down.