170 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



MUIR LODGE IN THE SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAINS 



By a. Martha Walker 



The rapidly increasing interest in our local walks in the 

 vicinity of Los Angeles is bringing many people to know our 

 own mountains. That we do have beautiful mountains, within 

 easy reach, many do not know. Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson 

 (6,000 feet), the nearest, loom up daily before the ordinary 

 eye of the people of Los Angeles and beckon with their white 

 shining trails, even at the distance of twenty miles. Farther 

 east, ''Old Baldy's" snowy crest (10,080 feet) is a famiHar 

 sight in winter, while Greyback and San Jacinto, both over 

 13,000 feet, are the monarchs of the range. These mountains 

 are especially adapted to winter walks. When snow does fall 

 on Mt. Lowe or Mt. Wilson, it is only an added attraction. 

 One of our best trips last winter included seven miles on the 

 sky line from Mt. Wilson to Mt. Lowe, over a trail that was 

 covered with snow six to ten inches deep. That was a two days' 

 trip and we spent the night at the Mt. Wilson Hotel, on the 

 summit. Another memorable trip was with sleeping-bags and 

 burros up Mt. Lowe and down via Switzer's Camp, when the 

 yucca was in full bloom on the upper mountain slopes. 



As the result of this increased interest in mountain climbs 

 and walks, the Club has felt the need of a mountain home. The 

 site selected is six miles from the town of Sierra Madre, which 

 is one hour's ride from Los Angeles by the electric cars. The 

 easy zig-zag trail leads for four miles up the east slopes of 

 Mt. Wilson and then follows for two miles up the Big Santa 

 Anita Canon, crossing the stream at intervals. On the way up, 

 beautiful views are constantly to be had back over the foothills 

 and the San Gabriel Valley to the sea. The dreamy, hazy 

 atmosphere, filling the cafions and softening the mountain 

 slopes, casts a spell all its own on the traveler. In the canon 

 the stream hurries along by huge boulders, amidst banks of 

 giant woodwardia ferns. Many beautiful cabins have been 

 built throughout the cafion. 



