MOUNTAIN CAMPS AROUND PASADENA 



D. W. COOLIDGE 

 Secretary of the Paiiadena Board of Trade 



ROUGHLY speaking, there are at least twelve mountain resorts tribu- 

 tary to Pasadena, and these may be as roughly divided into two 

 groups, according as they cluster around the one or the other of the 

 two chief mountain peaks, Mt. Wilson and Mt. Lowe, of the adjacent 

 range. In the Mt. Wilson group may be placed the Mt. Wilson 

 Hotel and Cottages, Strain's Camp, Martin's Camp, Orchard Camp, 

 Schneider's Camp, Carter's Camp, and Sturtevant's Camp. In the Mt. 

 Lowe group may be placed Ye Alpine Tavern, Echo Mountain, Chaney's 

 Camp, Camp Merriam, and Switzer's Camp. This cannot be given as an 

 absolutely complete list, but as containing the most important and best- 

 known camps. 



On the summit of Mt. Wilson, 5,886 feet above sea-level and within 

 a few hundred feet of the buildings of the Carnegie Institution's Solar 

 Observatory, where is being erected accommodation for the world's greatest 

 telescope, stands the Mt. Wilson Hotel, with its two-score cottages and 

 amusement casino, hotel conveniences, and table of the very highest grade. 

 A short distance to the north, sheltered by the mighty pines and cedars with 

 which the summit and northern slope of the mountain are still covered, 

 lies Strain's Camp. The log casino, camp store, and long rows of tent 

 houses are grouped conveniently around the splendid spring which provides 

 the purest and sweetest of water to the whole summit. A mile from the 

 summit on the trail leading toward the south perches Martin's Camp. 

 This was the principal resort on the mountain trail until the recent com- 

 pletion of the hotel and cottages on the summit. Half way down the Old 

 Trail, or about four miles from its foot, is located Orchard Camp, a resort 

 of growing popularity. A camp store, convenient cottages, and an abun- 

 dance of water for all purposes are proving attractive features. Near the 

 foot of the Old Trail and a short distance to the east is Carter's Camp. 

 This is one of the most easily reached from the valley and its picturesque 

 groups of cottages are in growing demand. From the foot of this same 

 trail, as well as from Strain's Camp on the summit, lead trails to Sturte- 

 vant's Camp, at the head of the Big Santa Anita Canon. It is located In 

 the very midst of the wildest and most delightful mountain scenery. The 

 Old Trail up Mt. Wilson starts from near Sierra Madre, reached by electric 

 car from Pasadena, and is the most attractive route up the mountain. But 

 another trail up the mountain starts at the mouth of Eaton Canon, three 

 miles to the northeast of Pasadena. This is chiefly a pack trail, but It is 

 a favorite with many. Half way up this trail, in a tree-covered slope, is 

 Schneider's Camp, where summer's accommodation may be secured. 



The first of the Mt. Lowe group is naturally enough Ye Alpine Tavern. 

 This unique all-the-year-round hostelry is unquestionably one of the best- 

 known mountain resorts in the world, its accessibility from the valley and 

 the marvelous scenery with which it is surrounded having been the theme 

 of artists and writers from all over the country for years. It offers every 

 convenience of the great hotels of the valley. It is 5,000 feet above the 

 level of the sea, and life there possesses a charm which is unequaled any- 

 where on the footstool. It is surrounded by tent cottages for the use of 

 those who desire to sleep within canvas walls. At the head of the wonderful 

 inclined railway, leading upwards from Rubio Canon, are the buildings 

 surmounting the Echo Mountain. At the present time there is no hotel 

 here, the famous structure which accommodated so many tourists in years 

 past having been destroyed by fire. One mile west of Echo Mountain lie 

 two beautiful camps, destined to become noteworthy in the next few years. 

 Chaney's Camp, nearer the face of the range. Is reached by trail from 

 Millard's Canon and is a comfortable collection of well-built cottages. 



