Month: May 2017

Distance:  14 miles, out and back

Elevation gain:  About 4800 feet

Hours: 7 hours ( including about 40-50 minute rest)

Trailhead: Echo Mountain Trailhead, Lake Ave & E Loma Alta Dr

Difficulty : Advanced

The first part of hike is to take Castle Canyon Trail up to Echo Mountain, then go up to Inspiration point, and finally Mt. Lowe. From trailhead to Echo mountain is pretty easy to follow. Just go until you meet some ruins of old buildings. Then, some go toward Inspiration point and some time to enjoy the view there. Go further to Mt. Lowe, and there are major junctions in a couple of minutes. On the far left, it goes Sam Merrill Trail, and on the left it goes to Mt Lowe CG and Sunset Ridge, and on the right it goes to Mt Lowe. Take right here continue to Mt Lowe. On way down, we met  this junction again, then take Sam Merrill Trail, it goes to Echo Mountain. From there take Castle Canyon Trail down to trailhead.

Distance:  11.5 miles, out and back

Elevation gain:  About 3200 feet

Hours: 5 hours and half ( including about 40-50 minute rest)

Trailhead: Burkhart Trail inside Buckhorn Campground.

Finding a trailhead was little difficult for me. On the highway 2, when you see Buckhorn Campground sign, you have to turn left on that spot. Don’t pass this point, and you might get lost. Once you get on the load, you will get a junction soon, one just go out of this narrow road, and the other go to the campground. Turn left and follow the sign “Burkhart Trail”, and continue until the road end. There is little parking lot there, and you need Adventure Pass on this lot.

The lowest elevation is 5617 feet, and the highest elevation is 7837. The first 2 miles was descending to the creek, which means you have to ascend at the end. This was little difficult because I was so tired. Then next 3 miles is pretty easy ascending. Then you will get 5 miles sign on the saddle. Here hard part start. Turn left, and continue to the Will Thrall Peak. There is a couple of junctions, but follow the sign of BurkHard Trail, also it is part of PCT.