"I started this hike with friends at 6 AM at the Sam Merril Trailhead. Then we went up the trail passing by Cobb Estate ruins. Then I went up the trail to get some great views and to summit Echo Mountain. Then saw some yellow poppies and then had a great oak forest and more great views. Then I summited Echo Mountain. The summit had some ruins, the echophone, and the summit historical signs. The summit had great views too. Then I went into the Castle Canyon. I saw some small waterfalls, rock formations, the V tree, great views, and Castle Canyon Falls. Then I summited Inspiration Point. The overlook had great views and a pavilion with loads of viewfinders. Then I went down the fire road to get to the Mt Lowe East Trail. Then I went up the trail. I went up a firebreak along the trail and saw great views of nearby Muir Peak. Then I crossed a creek and encountered the first snow. Then the snow got deeper and then I forked off on the trail to the summit. Then there was deeper snow and a sketchy snow crossing. The summit was so cool. It had 2 signs, a bench and viewfinders, great views toward Los Angeles, and a historical sign. This is my second summit of Mt Lowe. " — lc444 • Mar 22, 2023

"Checked out the railway and hotel ruins up on Echo Mountain before taking the Castle Canyon Trail up to Inspiration Point and looping back down. Interesting to learn about the history. Very hot day, we brought plenty of water and certainly needed it. Took a nice break sitting under the pavilion at Inspiration Point while looking out over LA." — jodola • Jun 11, 2022

"Our Hike Beyond the Hills Annual Santa Hat Hike. Takes us from the Cobb Estates to Echo Mountain, Inspiration Point and Muir Peak and then looping back down via the Middle Sam Merrill Trail." — Philip-Yoho • Dec 14, 2019

"First fairly warm (hot!) weekend of 2019, so with this hike having little in the way of shade, we stopped frequently to stay hydrated. Winds earlier that day had left fairly clear views of the Pacific on the horizon, and downtown LA near by." — marc • Mar 16, 2019

"First time on this one. Fun easy hike with my friend Shaun Garman. We had a cool overcast day that made it nice and cool. I can see how this could end up being a hot one due to being exposed with little tree cover. This would be a great hike for families and dogs. Lots to see at the top with commanding views of the valley and downtown. There are also plenty of places to enjoy your lunch at the summit. " — DoyleWalton • Jun 18, 2018

"Another Hike Beyond the Hills Santa Hat Hike. Took us from the Cobb Estates to Echo Mountain, Inspiration Point and Muir Peak, before looping back down on the Middle Sam Merrill Trail." — Philip-Yoho • Dec 2, 2017

"My very first Santa Hat Hike with Hike Beyond the Hills. In fact I think it was the inaugural hike. Great fun and great people. We hike up to Echo Mountain from the Cobb Estate. Continued on to Inspiration Point and Muir Peak. Then looped back down on the Middle Sam Merrill Trail." — Philip-Yoho • Dec 3, 2016

"Hiked trail from Rubio Canyon base of the old Echo Mountain Incline cable car to the top of Echo Mountain, which was a very strenuous hike on a hot day. Returned via the Sam Merrill Trail but used the cut-off trail at the power lines to return back to starting point in Rubio Canyon." — peterthompson1 • Sep 25, 2016

"This was such a fun hike. The ruins are pretty cool, as was the extended trip up to Inspiration Point. Full trip report and hike details here: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/echo-mountain-hike/" — HikingGuy • Dec 30, 2015

"My Bf took me and my friends on a hike up to Echo mountain. We started a few hours before the sunset, so by the time we reached the top we would see not only the cities but the sunset over them. We made it up there just as the sun was going down and was met by a sky filled with brilliant reds, oranges, yellows and dashes of purple and pink. The real fun began when the sun was completely down and the moon was coming over the ridge. We all decided to do some experimental photos and were able to capture "ghost" shots of ourselves and writing/symbol drawing with a headlamp using the red lighting. We took shots like these for a few hours since we were filled by the hot chocolate we brought up. When it began to get colder we headed back down the mountain and had a late night dinner at the local del taco." — CaptainBadass • Dec 16, 2013