View Millard Campground to Inspiration Point 2/27 in a larger map

Since we were rained out last weekend and had to spend yesterday shopping for my brother's wedding next month, we did a Sunday hike this week, and it was a doozy. Originally we were planning on going to the Verdugo Mountains near Burbank but I wanted something a bit longer. Turns out, it was quite a bit longer than the 5.5mi roundtrip at Verdugo.

Looks like a great day for a hike!

Normally I park near JPL and hike up El Prieto but last time we were here, Corey strongly "suggested" we park at Millard Campground if we were going to go up Echo Mountain or Mt Lowe. I looked online and found very little information on getting to the Millard parking lot, so I decided to post the exact directions here in case you decide to make the trek yourself.

Getting There

Short version - Click here to get the location of the parking lot. Google Maps does a pretty good job getting you there.

Step-by-step:

From the 210 Freeway in Pasadena, you head north on Lake until you hit Loma Alta Dr and make a left (heading west). Then you turn right on Chaney Tr.

Look for the flashing yellow light

Heading up Chaney Tr

Keep going straight up Chaney Tr

Make sure you've got an Adventure Pass!

When you get to the top of Chaney Trail, go left (downhill) to the parking lot.

Millard Campground Parking Lot

Millard Campground

The Hike

It was cold. The air was damp and I wished that I'd brought a windbreaker, or at least some gloves.

Starting up the trail - 8:30am

Downtown LA in the distance

Some crazy sinkhole

Looking back on our progress so far - 9:05am

Heading up the paved grade

I hadn't been on this part of the trail since 2006. It was familiar but different. I felt like it was much easier than it was back then as I've done quite a lot of hiking since then.

Ice along the grade

One of many informational signs about the history of the grade

Evidence of the fire amongst the frost

More ice

Looking back on our progress - 10:15am

Corey looks out at the ocean - downtown LA in center.

Corey discovers the first evidence of accumulated snow.

More snow on the trail

And more snow on the trail. Starting to wonder about my boots.

I think this was the first "snowman" I've ever seen on a trail.

A snowwoman. With boobies.

There were quite a few other footprints.

It was literally so bright I couldn't see my screen to take pictures.

Mt Lowe Trail Camp - 11:20am

Really cool stream

At the junction - facing east toward Mt Wilson

Finally made it to Inspiration Point - 11:45am

Here we stopped for lunch and to get some sun. Unfortunately it was really really cold and starting to get windy. Corey eventually said "I'm heading down with or without you!" and trudged back down. Thankfully we'd had a good rest and lunch already.