ECHO MOUNTAINLocation: Altadena, CA
Accessibility: Moderate 6-Mile Round Trip Hike Created: 1893 |
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Located in the San Gabriel Mountains are numerous hiking trails, picturesque views and ruins of what was once one of the most popular tourist attractions to date. Finding the ruins requires a 6-mile round trip hike to ascend Echo Mountain. With its name derived from the echo effects through the adjacent canyons of visitor’s voices, Echo Mountain was the location of a resort built from the vision of Thaddeus S.C. Lowe.
Lowe was a New Hampshire native who made a fortune from his inventions and patents on ice making machines and hydrogen gas manufacturing. He retired in Pasadena in 1888. While in retirement, he has the vision to make the beautiful mountains accessible to average citizens. Shortly thereafter, Lowe joined forces with David Macpherson - an engineer from Cornell University. In 1892, the duo began construction on the world’s first electric-powered incline railway leading to the summit of Echo Mountain.
Opening on July 4th, 1893, the railway led to quite a spectacle. Atop Echo mountain stood numerous structures, including a Victorian hotel, an echo chalet, an observatory, several car barns, and a casino. However, the glory days of Echo Mountain would not last long. Despite its popularity, the railway and buildings never turned a profit. Disaster upon disaster hurdled at Echo Mountain beginning with a kitchen fire which destroyed the Echo mountain house in 1900. In 1905, the wind blew the roof from the casino onto the power generating station across the track. In 1928, harsh winds blew down the observatory. Eventually, Lowe lost ownership of the railway to the Pacific electric system, and in 1938, the mountain top was officially abandoned.
Thaddeus Lowe passed away at the age of 80 and was buried at the mountain view cemetery in Altadena. The railway and structures may have been demolished, but enough is left standing today for hikers to explore and enjoy the history. Those up for the trip can also enjoy the ruins of Cobb Estate. Join us as we explore the tragic history and ruins of Echo Mountain.
Lowe was a New Hampshire native who made a fortune from his inventions and patents on ice making machines and hydrogen gas manufacturing. He retired in Pasadena in 1888. While in retirement, he has the vision to make the beautiful mountains accessible to average citizens. Shortly thereafter, Lowe joined forces with David Macpherson - an engineer from Cornell University. In 1892, the duo began construction on the world’s first electric-powered incline railway leading to the summit of Echo Mountain.
Opening on July 4th, 1893, the railway led to quite a spectacle. Atop Echo mountain stood numerous structures, including a Victorian hotel, an echo chalet, an observatory, several car barns, and a casino. However, the glory days of Echo Mountain would not last long. Despite its popularity, the railway and buildings never turned a profit. Disaster upon disaster hurdled at Echo Mountain beginning with a kitchen fire which destroyed the Echo mountain house in 1900. In 1905, the wind blew the roof from the casino onto the power generating station across the track. In 1928, harsh winds blew down the observatory. Eventually, Lowe lost ownership of the railway to the Pacific electric system, and in 1938, the mountain top was officially abandoned.
Thaddeus Lowe passed away at the age of 80 and was buried at the mountain view cemetery in Altadena. The railway and structures may have been demolished, but enough is left standing today for hikers to explore and enjoy the history. Those up for the trip can also enjoy the ruins of Cobb Estate. Join us as we explore the tragic history and ruins of Echo Mountain.