This is probably the most popular mountain bike ride in the San Gabriel front range - on weekends the trail sees plenty of mountain bikers, runners and some hikers. The branch to Brown Mountain could be omitted to reduce the miles, but to me that it is the most enjoyable part of the route.
Getting there
Since this ride forms a loop there are a few options for the starting point - the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), Loma Alta Drive, or Millard Campground. I favor starting on Loma Alta at the junction with Chaney Trail reached by going to the North end of Lake Avenue in Pasadena. Turn left where Lake intersects Loma Alta Drive and continue 1 mile to the junction with amber flashing lights overhead. Google directions to start
The Ride
Assuming you are starting at the corner of Loma Alta and Chaney Trail, continue West along Loma Alta to the end, and turn left on to Lincoln Avenue at 0.6 miles. A variety of residential streets can be used to reach JPL, but I prefer to continue down Lincoln to Ventura Street at 1.34 miles, and turn right. This will bring you to the trail entrance on the right, at 1.91 miles.
Go around the gate to ride down the paved road. At 3.07 miles the ride divides; the dirt fire-road straight ahead traverses the Arroyo Seco. As the sign indicates we bear right for Brown Mountain Road. After a little stream crossing the climbing begins. El Prieto trail head can be seen on the right as the fire road switch-backs to the left. El Prieto is a very popular single track ride but not one I have done in a long time.
Continue the fire road climb until you reach a saddle at 5.7 miles; a nice look out point over the San Gabriel valley. Going straight (East) takes you down to Millard Campground - we will be going that way later. For now take the fire road on the left to Brown Mountain. This fire road ends at 8.3 miles, although the Ken Burton single track trail continues from here (I’ve read it’s quite technical in places but have no first hand experience of it). The summit of Brown Mountain is ESE of the saddle and could be reached by hiking up the path past the water tower.
For this trace we backtrack to the saddle and then turn left to take the fire road down to Millard Campground, reached at 12.8 miles. Pass by the campground to exit onto the paved road and bear left to climb to sunset ridge. After following the road to the right there follows a very fast return to the parking.
Ride log
Last Ridden
Condition
Pedal Time
Elapsed Time
Nov 28th, 08
Good - fire road rutted due to recent rains, but easily ridden
