Angeles National Forest
![Professor Lowe had a dream to make the beautiful Mountains overlooking the cities of Altadena / Pasadena accessible to average citizens. After much planning, many exploratory trips on horseback, he and Engineer Thomas McPherson located a series of routes that could be built upon with a series of rail cars to reach miles back into the forest and eventually all the way to the top of Mount Wilson. Financing the project himself, Professor Lowe proceeded to build his dream which eventually reached all the way to the base of Mount Lowe (named after Professor Lowe, previously known as Oak Mountain). At its peak, it was the top honeymoon destination in America. Beginning with the famous red car lines in California, Professor Lowe extended the line up through the rolling hills in Rubio Canyon where a small hotel was built at the base of new incline rail systems that would take a visitor up a mile along a ridge overlooking the LA Basin to the top of Echo Mountain.
The top of Echo Mountain became a little city of its own with places to eat, order picnic lunches, shop at stores, dormitories for employees, power generating station to power Echo Mountain facilities. There was also a trolley repair building and pit, observation decks at various spots, trails that could be taken by hikers both up and down the mountain and into the Alpine regions, tennis courts, stables and a now little known zoo. The entire assembly of buildings were painted white and because of the view from far below, became known as "The White City in the sky". The “opera box” great incline cars were also white and could be seen from afar ferrying up and down the hill. On a ridge behind the Echo Mountain ridge was an observatory building with a working 16 inch telescope housed in a round domed building. The foundations can still be found at the site as well as the cement stand which is what the telescope was mounted upon. It was Professor Lowe's intention to build the rail system all the way to the top of Mount Wilson along with additional hotels and facilities on the top of Mount Wilson. Later, much of the path of the large 100" telescope and observatory built on Mount Wilson was used to transport the delicate 100" mirror to the top of Mount Wilson.
[From Wikipedia]](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6058643/03e5e617-ede3-45ea-9817-79e95ae8eb81.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Visit Angeles National Forest
Tours & day trips
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Private & custom tours
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Private Full Day LA Tour from Long Beach
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
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Romantic Malibu Mountaintop Landing Helicopter Tour from Burbank
Classes & workshops
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Sophisticated Sushi Class in Los Angeles (Includes 6-Course Meal)
Spa & wellness
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1-Hour Full Body Massage near Los Angeles
Popular places to visit
Mt. Waterman Ski Resort
Hit the slopes at Mt. Waterman Ski Resort during your trip to Pearblossom. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Josephine Saddle
You can take time to visit Josephine Saddle during your travels to Palmdale. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Mount Lowe Railway trail
You can take time to visit Mount Lowe Railway trail during your travels to Altadena. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Eaton Canyon Natural Area
You can take time to visit Eaton Canyon Natural Area during your travels to Pasadena. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Soledad Snads Park
Explore the great outdoors at Soledad Snads Park, a lovely green space in Acton. Discover the mountain views while you're in the area.
Wilderness Park
Explore the great outdoors at Wilderness Park, a lovely green space in Arcadia. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Top Angeles National Forest Hotel Deals
Check availability on hotels close to Angeles National Forest
DoubleTree by Hilton Palmdale, CA
Hotel Burbank
Ramada by Wyndham Burbank Airport
Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Glendale Express Hotel Los Angeles
Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Clarita/Valencia
