Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mount Lowe Summit
Mount Lowe Railway
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Mount Lowe Summit Marker
This summit, previously known as Oak Mountain, was named Mt. Lowe in the fall of 1892. At the time railway construction was going on in Rubio Canyon and Echo Mtn. Professor Lowe had planned to run the railway to this summit and build a large hotel here. A suspended cable car would then reach to San Gabriel Peak to the north. There he planned to build an observatory and institute to study nature and the heavens. In 1895, with his money supply depleted, Professor Lowe had to end railroad construction at the Alpine Tavern, 1,100 feet below. From the Alpine Tavern guests could walk or ride (horseback) to the summit 2˝ miles away. The flag pole, hitching post, bench and locating tubes were left by the railroad when it closed in 1937.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 34° 13.815′ N, 118° 6.289′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Angeles Crest Highway. Hike 1˝ miles from Eaton Saddle Trailhead with an elevation gain of 600 feet. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altadena CA 91001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: End of the Line (Alpine Tavern) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cottages at Alpine Tavern
this page online
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Mount Lowe Marker and Hitching Post
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Bench and Locating Tubes
Mount Wilson in the distance, with television transmission antennas.
Photographed by Craig Baker
4. Locating Tubes
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 28, 2024
5. Mount Lowe Summit - 5,606 Ft.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
