The Lower Sam Merrill trail climbs the southern face of the San Gabriel Mountains from the Cobb Estate, at the top of Lake ave in Altadena, to Echo Mountain and the ruins of the “White City.”  The “White City” was the brainchild of Thadeus Lowe and David Mcpherson,  a resort, painted white,  that once featured tennis courts, an observatory, a ballroom, and a narrow gauge railway that transported guests, visiting from all over the country, to the summit of Mt Lowe. Sadly, the whole enterprise had a short life.  Today, it is one of the busiest trails of the San Gabriels, and even in the wee hours of the morning, you’re sure to come across joggers, dog walkers, hikers and the occasional rambler looking to have breakfast with a view.

watch an old documentary about the Mt Lowe Railway.

Walking Project 032_breakfast at echo – lower Sam Merrill from chris worland on Vimeo.