Echo Cliff via Panther Mountain trail is a very easy and beginner friendly hike that is great for families with children who love to hike. The hike is short and sweet with a very beautiful vista at the top. The trail is very well maintained and well marked so there is very little chance of getting lost. This is a great hike for photographers as well since the viewpoint is very beautiful with lots of angles to choose from.
Echo Cliff Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.6 Miles
Elevation Gained: 700 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: None
Trail Breakdown
0.8 Blue Trail Going Up
0.8 Blue Trail Going Down
Note: The information is just an approximation.
Parking
Start Of The Hike
I went out from the parking lot and into the forest and the light in my eyes were bright that the other hikers knew that I was excited and happy, like when kids rejoice that the dark clouds that rained upon the land disappeared and then came the sunshine where they could play. I went in slowly, into the depths of the forest, excited to explore this new place I found myself in. There was a smile in my face, and exhilaration in my blood, and the land was cheerful and bright.
Trail Going Up
The morning light shined brightly down the densely packed trees of the forest, hitting the leaves and the light shattered into a thousand pieces before hitting the ground and then it danced with the shadows, moving back and forth. There was life everywhere I looked, tall trees rejoicing that the light shined upon them, the grass and small shrubs at the side were bright green, and the sounds of birds chirping along the way.
Trail Ascending
It was the start of the ascent and I couldn’t be more excited. The trail started rather gentle at first then became steeper as I made some progress. I said “hello” and “good morning” to the other hikers that were going down. They were already done and I still barely started. I kept going upward but soon realized that my body had not finished recuperating from the hikes I did a few days ago as such I could only go slowly to the top.
Trail
The light became scarce as I got deeper and deeper into the forest. It was great as the summer sun can get pretty hot even in the morning. The shade that the forest provided kept my body cool and helped me stay hydrated as well as I didn’t feel my throat getting dry. More and more people passed me by. There were lots of children, teenagers and dogs that were a lot faster than me but I didn’t mind as my body could only do so much. I kept my slow pace and moved as I pleased to the top.
Trail Ascent
The fatigue that had accumulated within my body for hiking multiple days in a row had become an obstacle as I tried going up the mountain. I now find the ascent to be grueling as I huffed and puffed as I walked up the mountain while kids and other hikers passed me by as my pace slowed down considerably. I couldn’t speed up even if I wanted to as I was already tired. Everyone was smiling as they passed me by but I was done. I was too tired to smile that I wouldn’t be able to do it even if I wanted to.
Trail
I took off my backpack and sat next to a tree as I needed the rest desperately. The constant ascent was not friendly to the body. I looked at the dogs, kids, and tourists that were passing me by and I felt a little bit ashamed as my backpack looked professional and I was wearing hiking clothes as well while most of the people going up were wearing jeans. Maybe I should have exercised more or lifted more weights and trained the lower legs more, but there was no use thinking about that now. I’ll do it and think of a regimen when I get back home.
Almost At The Top
I looked up and saw a few people holding their camera at the opening on the top. I smiled as I knew that I was almost at the top, just a few more steps and I would be at the viewpoint. I held the root of a tree and pushed with my legs to propel me upwards and before I knew it, I was already at the top.
Echo Cliff Lookout
Echo Cliff Vista
Echo Cliff Views
Echo Cliff
Echo Cliff Scenery
Echo Cliff
Trail Going Back
Going Back
End Of The Hike
