• Highlights: Sweeping view of L.A. area, historical landmark
• Near: Altadena, CA
• Distance: 5.5 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 ft.
• Hike Time: 4 hours
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Rating:

Summary:

This is one of the most popular hikes in L.A. The trail takes you to the top of Echo Mountain where the ruins of the Mount Lowe Railway are located. Try out your lungs on the Echo Phone and see why the mountain got its name. Once on the top, you can take in the impressive view of the L.A. area that includes the Santa Monica Bay, Catalina Island, Downtown L.A. and more. The view would be even more impressive as a sunset hike (make sure you are properly equipped). There is no shade along the trail, so a summer hike would be tough.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 210 fwy (east) to Lake Av. (north) to end of road to trailhead.

Trying Out the Echo Phone

Echo Mountain View

 

Old Echo Phone

echo mountain view

 Print This Post

• Highlights: Waterfall, stream, lush woods, guided hike, family hike
• Near: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
• Distance: 12 miles round trip bike/hike, 3 miles hike only
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 ft. bike/hike, 500 ft. hike only
• Hike Time: 4 hours bike/hike, 2 hours hike only
• Difficulty: 4/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail, rough dirt road
• Restrictions: Adventure Pass required to park in parking lot 2
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Rating:

Summary:

This is a popular family hike. You can either park by the paved road (parking lot 1) and ride a mountain bike to the trailhead or brave the rough dirt road by car for 5 miles and start the hike at parking lot 2.  Heavy winter rains will make the road impassible. Once you make it to the trailhead, you will be treated to an easy and beautiful hike. The waterfall is only about 20 ft. high, but is great none the less.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 405 fwy (south) to 5 fwy (south) to Oso Pkwy. (left) to Antonio Pkwy. (left) to Santa Margarita Pkwy. (right) to Plano Trabuco Dr. (left) to Trabuco Canyon Rd. (left) to Trabuco Creek Rd. (right) to trailhead.

• Highlights: chaparral, views of Los Angeles, guided tour of historical landmark
• Near: Pacific Palisades, CA
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 ft
• Hike Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: 4/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail
• Parking Fee: $12
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Rating:

Summary:

This trail starts at the former home of Will Rogers and leads you along the start of the Backbone trail up to a sweeping view of the Los Angeles area.  Tours are available on weekends for this famous historical landmark. I found it well worth my time. This is a great family hike since it doesn’t go very far from civilization.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 10 fwy (west) to Pacific Coast Hwy (north) to Sunset Bl. (right) to Will Roger State Park Rd. (left) to trailhead.