Before the devastating Eaton Fire in early 2025, you could hike from Pasadena up to Mount Lowe near Mt Wilson.
In this case, I took the Lower Sam Merrill Trail from the Cobb Estate at the top of Lake Avenue. At Echo Mtn I got a transfer to the Castle Canyon Trail. That trail starts fairly flat and then steepens a bit on its way to Inspiration Point. Many years ago I almost got heatstroke pushing to get to that destination where there are viewing tubes for things like Catalina (which you can see if the weather is clear). Unfortunately, it burned down in the fire.
After that point I took the gradual but interminable way around on the Mt Lowe Motorway, approaching the peak from the west and then from the trail that starts at Eaton Saddle. That way would have been better on a bike. Then, I took the rocky trail up to the peak.
I took the eastern, more direct route on the return, then retraced my steps.
Please find attached a raw video, complete with your leader crunching gravel and sighing.
