Distance: Â 14 miles, out and back
Elevation gain: Â About 4800Â feet
Hours: 7Â 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.