Los Angeles: Echo Mountain via Sam Merrill Trail
Trek into history on this 7-mile out-and-back in the San Gabriel foothills. You'll visit the ruins of a luxurious hotel and cog railway that date back to the early 1900s.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.7
Waypoints
EMT001
Location: 34.1975708007812, -118.130798339844
Trail begins near stone gateway, heading N
EMT002
Location: 34.2050514221191, -118.129035949707
Veer L onto remnant of paved roadway
EMT003
Location: 34.2058525085449, -118.127723693848
Turn R @ Y junction in trail; hike past ruins of an old homesite, then go R @ 3-way
EMT004
Location: 34.2039260864258, -118.128532409668
Turn L onto Sam Merrill Trail and walk through areas of patchy mountain chaparral
EMT005
Location: 34.2046012878418, -118.127479553223
R @ 3-way across Las Flores Canyon Creek; great views begin to open up below and to the west of Pasadena and beyond
EMT009
Location: 34.2129096984863, -118.121994018555
Turn R, heading toward White City ruins
EMT010
Location: 34.2109451293945, -118.120903015137
Old White City: Former spot of a lavish Victorian hotel and impressive cog railroad; sweeping views of the LA Basin; retrace route back to trailhead
EMT006
Location: 34.2076301574707, -118.123374938965
Trail drops S then E; look for mid-altitude plants such as miner’s lettuce and yellow monkey flower
EMT008
Location: 34.2152061462402, -118.123260498047
Trail cuts sharply S
EMT007
Location: 34.209156036377, -118.122177124023
Swing N; traverse along the 3,000-foot gradient line