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Echo Mountain Hike

Filed Under local travel, photography

It was supposed to rain over an inch today in Southern California.  That’s a lot for us.  Enough for most here to reconsider their weekend activities.  For instance, I was hoping to have made a weekend trip out to Joshua Tree National Park myself, but when the rain came down yesterday, I pictured myself soaked to the bone carrying my camera gear around in 40 degree weather.  Not my idea of a fun weekend.

So I hung out around the house, got some chores done, and worked a bit on my book. Rainy day activities.  Funny enough, though – the rain didn’t come.

So late in the afternoon, I grabbed my rain jacket and hiking pole and headed out to do a little hike in the local hills.  I went to my favorite spot: Echo Mountain.  It stands about 2,500 feet above the San Gabriel Valley and has some cool ruins of a 100-year old funicular train station and hotel.  Along the 3-mile trail, I passed many hikers coming down. When I reached the top at about 5pm, I was alone. Just me, the clouds, and the spectacular view of the Los Angeles area.

I listened to my iPod on the hike and at the top, a Sigur Rós song began to play. Untitled #6. It really added to the mood and thought it would be appropriate background music while you view the photos and videos I took (with my Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS)