Trail Run Project Logo

An upward extension linking Echo Mountain with Inspiration Point and the Mt. Lowe Campground.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.1

KM

74%

Runnable

4,484' 1,367 m

High

3,220' 981 m

Low

1,281' 390 m

Up

21' 6 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

Beware of mountain bikers on the length of the Sam Merrill Trail.

Description

The Middle Sam Merrill Trail starts on the Echo Mountain Trail 12W14.A a few hundred feet south of the junction with the Lower Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.1. It climbs past the observatory ruins in mostly shadeless chaparral of scrub oak, ceanothus and laurel sumac reaching a saddle in 1.7 miles where there are good views of the Los Angeles Basin. It then turns east and stays mostly level through a welcomed shady area of bigcone spruce and live oaks.

The trail ends at a saddle with the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 and Muir Peak Road #2N50.A which leads to Inspiration Point. The Idlehour Trail 12W16 starts here and heads east into Eaton Canyon. The Mt. Lowe Campground is 0.2 miles down on the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 (left turn). The Upper Sam Merrill Trail 12W14.3 and Mt. Lowe East Trail 12W14.3A are 0.1 miles north on the road.

Flora & Fauna

Watch for poison oak.

Contacts

Shared By:

Zander Göpfert

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 3 votes

#12485

Overall
  4.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1,251

in California

#12,485

Overall
2 Views Last Month
306 Since Apr 3, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
0%
67%
0%

Photos

Flat, sandy trail and lovely flora along the link trail.
May 11, 2015 near Altadena, CA
View down into the valley.
Aug 8, 2017 near Altadena, CA
Sierra Club WTC Group Five, Winter 2012.
Apr 3, 2018 near Altadena, CA
Wide, flat portion near the ruins at the top. This is the portion of the trail where other spur trails are noted via signage.
Apr 14, 2015 near Altadena, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.