Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Inspiration Point

Mount Lowe Railway

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Inspiration Point Marker

Inscription.
Inspiration Point is about a ten minute walk from the Alpine Tavern over part of the never completed railway grade to the summit of Mt. Lowe. From this shelter, sighting tubes helped visitors locate places of interest, including Catalina Island, 60 miles away!

Originally only sighting tubes and benches were here. In 1925 two shelters were built. They lasted until the late 1950's. Volunteers reconstructed these shelters in the summer of 1996 on their original foundations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 34° 13.294′ N, 118° 6.566′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Muir Peak Road south of Mount Lowe Road. It’s a strenuous five mile hike from the Cobb Estate trailhead with an altitude gain of 3,000 feet, or a 2½ mile hike with 1,200 foot gain from Eaton Saddle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Altadena CA 91001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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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,

in 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: One Man and Mule Railway (here, next to this marker); Easter Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bungalow (approx. 0.3 miles away); End of the Line (Alpine Tavern) (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cottages at Alpine Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ye Alpine Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ye Alpine Tavern Lobby (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alpine Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.

More about this marker. The shelter was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.

Regarding Inspiration Point. During the early 1900’s, tourists could take the Pacific Electric trolley from Los Angeles to Rubio Canyon, then take the Incline

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Inspiration Point Marker

Sighting tubes visible in the distance at top left.

Railway to the top of Echo Mountain, and then take another electric trolly to the Alpine Tavern hotel, all for one dollar. The hotel burned down in 1936, and was not rebuilt due to the Great Depression.

Additional keywords. Eaton Fire, Southern California Wildfires

Inspiration Point and Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Inspiration Point and Marker

Historic Sign - Recreated image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

4. Historic Sign - Recreated

Sighting Tubes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

5. Sighting Tubes

Inspiration Point image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Gonzales, January 2025

6. Inspiration Point

After the destructive 2025 Eaton Fire.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on January 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.