Altadena, California
Finally got a chance to document this hike. Things have been busy around here!
It was a beautiful day for another adventure. The skies were covered in gray clouds and a cool breeze accompanied us throughout the day. I still can't believe I forgot my hiking shoes during my morning haste. Talk about a slippery day! This canyon requires two cars for the start and end of the trail (not required if you are hiking only to the top of Echo Mountain and back). It starts with a nice easy hike up the Sam Merrill Trail where you'll see historic remnants of the Mt. Lowe Railway. Retrace your steps back to the Echo Mountain Picnic Area and down some stairs and you'll find a small trail leading to the bottom of the canyon where you'll follow a pipe down to the first rappel.
Distance of the approach: ~3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,417 ft.
Final Elevation: ~3,200 ft. (highest point)
Directions to the start of Sam Merrill Trail: Use the following coordinates in Google Maps to route your directions to the start of Sam Merrill Trail. Park your second along Rubio Vista Rd. & Pleasantridge Dr.
34.204009, -118.130708
Start of the trail.
Continuing on pass the Sam Merrill Trail sign.
Loving this weather!
Wesley being a doofus.
Fun walking under this tower.
Continuing on! Last junction before the summit. Continue right.
Some historic pieces left near the top of Echo Mountain.
Made it!
Up the stairs.
This thing is amazing! It truly echos through the mountains when you yell through it. Haven't been here in years... Glad to be back.
#11!
Now onto the canyon section... Retrace your steps back to the Echo Mountain Picnic Area.
Go down the stairs where you'll find a small dirt path leading you to the start of the canyon.
Continuing on... Trail gets a little steep.
Start of the canyon. Gear up here.
Continue through the canyon through some easy dirt paths and brush all while walking parallel to a pipe. You'll quickly reach the first rappel that's set on a natural anchor. Webbing and quick links were conveniently placed on each rappel. Bring your own webbing and links to replace these if they get old. Be sure to double check the water knots!
Second rappel. There are two drops here so stay on rappel for the entire thing.
Third rappel. Getting our feet wet now! This is the famous Thalehaha Falls and is the longest rappel. It's usually roaring with water but the drought has it quite dry. It is slippery still so be careful. There's a nasty online video going around of someone setting up their ATC device incorrectly, slipping, losing their brake hand, and taking an awful fall on this very spot. Luckily that person walked away with minor injuries.
That's me!
Fourth rappel. Another small one... Doubled up for this.
Fifth rappel pretty near the fourth. Another small one.
Last and optional rappel. Down-climbing this one. No bolts on this either.
Looking back.
Hiking out now.
Chris's Difficulty Scale (to Echo Mountain) - 3/10
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