Mueller Tunnel Hike

The Mueller Tunnel Hike is a 1-mile out-and-back trek in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains about an hour away from Los Angeles, California. The trail is easy to navigate, short, and accessible to most people.  It starts at Eaton Saddle, follows the Mount Lowe Motorway, and goes through Mueller Tunnel to Markham Saddle. The terrain is mostly flat with little variation in elevation. The trail features scenic views of Eaton Canyon and across the Los Angeles Basin, in addition to a trip through a historical tunnel.

Mueller Tunnel is a historic tunnel located in Angeles National Forest about an hour away from Los Angeles, California. The tunnel was built by the United States Forest Service in 1942 to allow cars to travel through the San Gabriel Mountains. The tunnel measures approximately 100 yards in length and is currently only accessible by foot. 

TRAILHEAD AMENITIES

The Eaton Saddle Trailhead is located off of Mount Wilson Road between Red Box Picnic Area and the Mount Wilson Observatory. There is paved parking at the trailhead and informational plaques explaining the history of the tunnel and the area.  

Visitors can also access a number of other trails from Eaton Saddle, including those that lead to San Gabriel Peak, Mount Lowe, and Inspiration Point.

TRAILHEAD INFO 

• Trailhead is located at Eaton Saddle off of Mount Wilson Road.

• Small parking area located on both sides of the road. 

• Eaton Saddle Trailhead information can also be found at https://www.summitpost.org/eaton-saddle/227096. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Eaton Saddle Trailhead: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41856. 

Red Box Picnic Area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41980

Mount Wilson Observatory: https://www.mtwilson.edu/. 

San Gabriel Peak Trail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=42086.