Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Longest Straight Stretch of Track
Mount Lowe Railway
| | 1893 - 1936 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Longest Straight Stretch of Track Marker
The railway from Echo Mountain to the Alpine Tavern covered 3½ miles with 127 curves and 114 straight segments.
You are looking at the longest straight segment on that route -- a mere 225 feet long (less than 1/20 of a mile).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 34° 13.124′ N, 118° 7.584′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Lowe Road and Mt Lowe Railway Trail. Hike 3½ miles up a steep trail with a 1,600-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 Mexicos
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sentinel Rock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); High Bridge (about 400 feet away); On The Rail Again (about 500 feet away); Circular Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cape of Good Hope / Circular Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dawn Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lowe Observatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Line to Alpine Tavern (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.
Regarding Longest Straight Stretch of Track. During the early 1900s, tourists could take the Pacific Electric trolley from Los Angeles to Rubio Canyon, then take the Incline 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.
On January 6, 1993, the Mount Lowe Railway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Longest Straight Stretch of Track location
3. Mt Lowe Railway Map
Cape of Good Hope is the marker location.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
