Castle Canyon Trail #12W28

Dogs Leashed

Features Spring · Views · Wildflowers

Not recommended for bicycles or horses. Trail can be narrow with loose rocks.

Look for the start of the trail 0.1 miles south of the end of Lower Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.1 on Echo Mountain. It gently contour around the side of the mountain and enters a canyon shaded with oaks, bay and maple trees. A spring once provided water to Echo Mountain, and the pipes are still visible along the path.

The trail continues a short distance and enters the well-shaded Castle Canyon in 0.8 miles. It can be steep in places but the canyon is usually much cooler than the surrounding areas. After climbing several switchbacks the trail emerges out of the canyon and reaches a saddle known as Inspiration Point. There is a shaded pavilion with tables and historical displays.

Taking a left turn on the Muir Peak Road #2N50.A leads northwest to the saddle where the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50, Middle Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.2 and Idlehour Trail 12W16 all converge in about 0.2 miles. Going right leads to the Muir Peak Trail.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Chaparral plants ceanothus, scrub oak, laurel sumac, sage are common while live oaks, bigcone spruce, bay and maple trees provide shade in the canyons. Watch for and avoid poison oak.