Sam Merrill Trail, Hiking trail in Angeles National Forest, California, US.
Sam Merrill Trail is a hiking path through Angeles National Forest that climbs from Altadena to a mountain promontory with broad views of the surrounding landscape. The route crosses through forest sections, open ridges, and rocky terrain as it ascends.
The path was created in the 1930s and later maintained by Sam Merrill, who gave the trail its name. It connects to other historic sites on the mountain that developed as recreation spots in earlier decades.
The trail provides access to ruins of a historic mountain railway and an abandoned resort town that shaped how people traveled and vacationed in early California. Visitors walking this route experience the physical remnants of a destination that once drew crowds seeking mountain escapes.
The path climbs steeply with many switchbacks and rocky ground, so sturdy shoes and plenty of water are necessary. Start early in the day and check weather conditions beforehand, as the upper sections can be exposed to sun and wind.
The trail ends at a viewpoint overlooking the remains of several historic sites scattered in the valley below. From this vantage point, visitors can see how these different locations were once connected as a single mountain destination.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
