Mount Markham

Mount Markham, final ridge, photo by Chris Waldheim

Mount Disappointment, San Gabriel, Markham, taken from Mount Lowe, photo by Michael Sallwasser

1893 Photo on Top of Mount Lowe, California Governor H.H. Markham on Left, Professor Thadeus S.C. Lowe Third From Left. Behind, Left San Gabriel Peak, Right Future Mount Markham, photo by Angeles Chapter Sierra Club Archives

Mount Markham from Mount Lowe Trail, photo by Chris Waldheim

Mount Markham, taken from the Mount Wilson Trail, photo by Chris Waldheim

Mount Markham Summit, photo by Chris Waldheim

Mount Markham, photo by Michael Sallwasser

View from Deception, showing Mount Disappointment, San Gabriel Markham and Lowe, photo by Michael Sallwasser

Mount Disappointment, San Gabriel, Markham, taken from Mount Lowe, photo by Michael Sallwasser

Mount Markham, final ridge, Photo by Chris Waldheim.

Peak Name

Mount Markham

012D

Elevation

5742

feet

Status

active

Region

Mount Wilson Area

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Mount Lowe, San Gabriel Peak, Mount Disappointment

Location

34.2369477,-118.0989587

Description

Markham is named after the California governor and Pasadena resident who ironically was responsible for dissolving the Board of Forestry that created the reserve this peak was located in. Situated between San Gabriel Peak and Mount Lowe, it is typically hiked in conjunction with these and the other surrounding peaks and has nice views of its neighbors, the city of Pasadena and a unique view of Occidental Peak and Mount Wilson.

Route 1 starts from Eaton Saddle off of the Mount Wilson Road, then passes through Mueller Tunnel and toward Mount Lowe before backtracking up an interesting and rocky use trail to the summit.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

600′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

3 miles round trip on road and trail

Estimated time

1 1/2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive north on Angeles Crest Highway 9.5 miles to Angeles Forest Highway. Keep straight.
Continue about 3.5 miles to the junction with the Mount Wilson Road at the Red Box Ranger Station. Turn right.
Drive 2.3 miles to Eaton Saddle. Park on the right. Do not block the gate.

Hiking route

From the parking area (5100′), pass the gate and hike up the road, through a tunnel, about 1/2 mile to Markham Saddle. This is the turnoff for Mount Disappointment and San Gabriel Peak.
The road continues west, but take a trail (12W14) on the left, which starts at this saddle.
Follow it to a saddle between Mount Markham and Mount Lowe. This is the turnoff for Mount Lowe.
At this saddle, turn left (northeast) and follow the ridge up to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Historical notes: This peak, between Mount Lowe and San Gabriel Peak, was formerly known as “Square Top” or “Table Mountain” which is how it appears along trail 12W16 above Idlehour Campground, or from Mount Wilson. In the 1890’s, at the urging of Professor Lowe and other leading Pasadena citizens, it was named in honor of Henry H. Markham, a prominent citizen of Pasadena and Governor of California 1891-1895.