Trailhead: Cobb Estate Trailhead

Note: Trailhead is not directly connected to parking area.  See trailhead page for directions

Cobb Estate Trailhead for Lower Sam Merrill Trail

Trail: Lower Sam Merrill Trail, Castle Canyon Trail, Inspiration Point, Mt. Lowe Road, Tom Sloan Saddle Trail, Upper Bear Canyon Trail, Bear Canyon Campground, Middle Sam Merrill Trail.

Stats: Round Trip as described in Trail Segments section below: 19 miles, 4619′ gain and loss.

Last Hiked: 3-1-13

Post: Trail Conditions Along Upper Bear Canyon

Trail Segments:  Take the Lower Sam Merrill Trail  up to the JCT near Echo Mountain and  take the Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point. From Inspiration Point, continue to the junction at Lowe Saddle. From Lowe Saddle continue on Mt. Lowe Road to the Tom Sloan Saddle Trail and take that to Tom Sloan Saddle. From Tom Sloan Saddle take the Upper Bear Canyon Trail to Bear Canyon Campground. Return to Mt. Lowe Road and hike back to the junction at Lowe Saddle. From Lowe Saddle take the Middle Sam Merrill Trail to the JCT near Echo Mountain and return via the Lower Sam Merrill Trail.

Points of Interest: Inspiration Point. Bear Canyon Campground

Photos: Lower Sam Merrill Trail, Castle Canyon, Tom Sloan Saddle Trail, Middle Sam Merrill Trail, Upper Bear Canyon 

View from the Upper Bear Canyon Trail (click to enlarge)