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

One Man and Mule Railway

Mount Lowe Railway

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 28, 2024

1. One Man and Mule Railway Marker

Inscription.
Visitors to Inspiration Point remember the tiny "One Man and Mule Railway," a little tourist tramway that connected Inspiration Point to Panorama Point overlooking Eaton Canyon. Operated by one man and his cantankerous mule, Herbert, the two-foot-gauge tramway remained in operation from 1917 to 1935. Herbert supplied the power to move the open bench car along the three-mile trip. To keep dust off the passengers, the mule pushed the car rather than pulled it.

This wheel set is one of two that was used on Herbert's Rail car. The center wooden railroad tie shows wear from Herbert's many trips.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 34° 13.293′ N, 118° 6.565′ 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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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,

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: Inspiration Point (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 Inspiration Point structure was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in 2025.

The second wheel set was

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. One Man and Mule Railway Marker

moved here from Henninger Flats prior to the Eaton Fire, and the second One Man and Mule Railway historical marker was moved to the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona.

Additional keywords. Eaton Fire, Southern California Wildfires

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. One Man and Mule Railway Marker

Inspiration Point and Marker image. Click for full size.

4. Inspiration Point and Marker

Mount Lowe Railway Map image. Click for full size.

from Wikimedia Commons

5. Mount Lowe Railway Map

See the "O.M.& M.R.R." route.

One Man and Mule Railway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Gonzales, January 2025

6. One Man and Mule Railway

Inspiration Point structure destroyed by the Eaton Fire. The second wheel set was recently moved here from Henninger Flats.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 28, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on May 29, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on January 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.