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This is a popular route to climb Mt. Lowe from the east side.


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Map Key

1.1

Miles

1.8

KM

57%

Runnable

5,412' 1,649 m

High

4,522' 1,378 m

Low

890' 271 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (8°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

This Forest Service has this as the "Upper Sam Merrill Trail" in their database, but most maps, historical references and signs use "Mt. Lowe East Trail". Watch for and do not take shortcut trails going down the south ridge.

Description

The Mt. Lowe East Trail starts along the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 about 0.1 miles north of the junction with the Muir Peak Road #2N50.A, Middle Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.2 and Idlehour Trail 12W16. It climbs up to a junction with a connector trail over to the Mt. Lowe Trail Camp. Keep right as the trail climbs through a nice forest of bigcone spruce and oaks and then enters shadeless chaparral of scrub oak and ceanothus.

Through this section, it moderately climbs on the east side of the mountain to a junction with the Upper Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.3 (sometimes referenced as "Mt. Lowe West"). To reach the peak, take the left fork, go another 0.2 miles to another fork, and head left again to the summit.

Flora & Fauna

Bigcone spruce, oaks, ceanothus, laurel sumac, and buckwheat all grow here.

Contacts

Shared By:

Alan Coles

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#26169

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  3.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#2,715

in California

#26,169

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Photos

Back side of Inspiration Point from Mt. Lowe East Trail after Station Fire
Mar 4, 2019 near Altadena, CA
Typical condition of Mt. Lowe East Trail with recovery from Station Fire (2009).
Apr 2, 2018 near Altadena, CA
Mt. Wilson and upper Eaton Canyon from Mt. Lowe East Trail
Apr 2, 2018 near Altadena, CA
Mt. Lowe East and Upper Sam Merrill Trail junction.
Apr 2, 2018 near Altadena, CA

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