The Mount Lowe Railway Loop is an 13.7-mile loop that retraces the route of the former Mount Lowe Railway. The route follows single and double track trails along a steady ascent from Altadena, California up to Mount Lowe (5606’). This route is historically significant and features scenic views overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains as well as the Los Angeles Basin. This area is popular for trail running, hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking.
Imagine traversing the San Gabriel Mountain range by way of the Mount Lowe Railway in the early decades of the 20th Century. Ascending from Altadena's foothills, past Echo Mountain, up Mount Lowe's steep slopes, and into a peaceful forest, where the Mount Lowe Railway led to the Ye Alpine Tavern / Mount Lowe Tavern, a popular mountain resort. When the Mount Lowe Railway was built it was considered to be one of the most impressive wonders of engineering in the world!
While you can no longer ride the Mount Lowe Railway, the historic route can still be explored by foot. This hike offers scenic views, informational signs, and historical artifacts that remain from the old structures that once existed along the Mount Lowe Railway Route.
The Mount Lowe Preservation Society is a non-profit group committed to preserving the history and artifacts surrounding the Mount Lowe Railway. For more information please visit, https://www.mountlowe.org/.
The route described here includes a summit to the top of Mount Lowe. To shorten the overall distance, option to leave this summit out and descend from Mount Lowe Trail Camp.
PARKING
Street parking is available in the residential area off of Lake Avenue.
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