Echo Mountain

Encyclopedia : E : EC : ECH : Echo Mountain

|- | style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85 | Coordinates: | style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220 | [34°12′42″N, 118°07′15″W] |-

Echo Mountain is a promontory above Altadena, California. It was shaped from an alluvial fan between Rubio and Las Flores canyons. It is geographically defined by Castle Canyon to its leeward side, Rubio Canyon at its foot, and Las Flores Canyon on its windward side. Echo has a mean elevation 0f 3,250 feet above sea level. It is most visible as a short mountain extension whose ridge protrudes below the peak of Inspiration Point. It's name is derived from the number of repetitions one's voice could emit into Castle Canyon. Boy Scout projects were made to find the "sweet spot" where the largest number of repetitions could be heard. During the days of the Mount Lowe Railway "echophones" were set up to assist in voice projections near the best sweet spots.

Echo Mountain, also referred to as Mount Echo, is now part of the monument area delineated by the U.S. Forest Service for the listing of the Mount Lowe Railway on the National Register of Historic Places (Jan. 6, 1993). On top of the Mountain are the ruins of "White City," a resort along the scenic Mount Lowe Railway, which could easily be seen from the valley below. From its point and down an incline to its foot in Rubio Canyon was the Great Incline funicular of the Mount Lowe Railway whose white cars could be seen ascending and descending Echo.

Echo mountain can be reached by the Sam Merrill Trail located at the top of Lake Avenue, or via the fire road which extends from Millard Canyon to a point along the old right of way which will lead to the backside of the promontory.

The Echo Mountain Promontory (ca. 1896) after a snowfall, and the White City resort of the Mount Lowe Railway as seen from a higher spot on the ridge and overlooking Altadena, Ca. Buildings viewed from left to right: The Echo Chalet, Echo Mountain House, Incline Powerhouse, Dormitories and Car barn. Behind the car barn note an inflatable reservoir for the storage of hydrogen gas produced in Pasadena and piped some 8 1/2 miles to Echo.

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