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There’s no need to leave the city for mountaintop views: This 5.3-miler starts in the leafy neighborhoods of Altadena and vaults up the side of the chaparral-covered San Gabriels. The sprawling San Gabriel Valley is visible on nearly every step of the hike, and the spring displays of larkspur, penstemon, and monkeyflower are outrageous. On the 3,207-foot summit, wander around the crumbling foundations and rusted-out cog wheels of the White City, a ritzy resort built at the turn of the 20th century.
-Mapped by Andrew Bray
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.5
- Miles from city center: 15
Waypoints
ECH001
Location: 34.203976, -118.1306
The trail begins at the intersection of E. Loma Alta Drive and Lake Ave. Hike east.
ECH002
Location: 34.203959, -118.128565
Pick up the trail to the right, and follow it northeast.
ECH003
Location: 34.203877, -118.126172
Climb short switchbacks.
ECH004
Location: 34.206891, -118.124818
Trail swings to the right (south) above Las Flores Canyon. From the middle of April to the middle of June, you’ll hike across vibrant slopes covered in larkspur (scarlet), monkeyflower (yellow), mariposa lily, Indian paintbrush, and penstemon.
ECH005
Location: 34.206887, -118.121663
Turn left above Rubio Canyon and hike north across Echo Mountain’s west-facing slopes.
ECH006
Location: 34.215271, -118.123262
Turn right on the last switchback and hike southeast for the last .3-mile stretch to Echo Mountain.
ECH007
Location: 34.210886, -118.120741
Echo Mountain (3,207 ft.): This mountaintop was the site of the White City, a ritzy resort built in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. Wander around the ruins: huge rusted-out cog wheels from the funicular (cable car) that hauled Angelenos up Echo Mountain and foundations that once contained dining halls and drawing rooms, kitchens and larders.
