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

Stairway To The Sky

Mount Lowe Railway

— 1893 - 1938 —

Stairway To The Sky Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Stairway To The Sky Marker

Inscription.
This stairway, which can be seen today, was actually the loading platform for the Incline cars.
The Incline cars were designed with level floors and seats as they traveled the steep 3,000 foot long incline carrying guests between Rubio Canyon and Echo Mountain.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 34° 12.654′ N, 118° 7.245′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Mount Lowe Railway Trail south of Sam Merrill Trail. Hike three miles up a steep trail with a 1,500-foot altitude gain from the Cobb Estate trailhead. 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,

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: Echo Mountain House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Echo Mountain House (a few steps from this marker); Forces of Nature (a few steps from this marker); Mount Lowe Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Echo Phone (within shouting distance of this marker); Caretaker’s Cottage and Cable House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Lowe Power Plants

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casino, Tennis Courts, Power Plants, and Car Barn (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Stairway To The Sky Marker

The marker is visible near the end of the wall.

Stairway To The Sky image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Stairway To The Sky

Incline Railway image. Click for full size.

circa 1915

4. Incline Railway

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on August 29, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.