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San Gabriel River Trail, Santa Fe Dam to Seal Beach Bike Path

Type

 

Cycle path

Miles

 

29.8

Elevation Gain

 

-383’ per GPS

Starting/Max Elevation

 

424’ / 424’ per GPS

Starting Coordinates

 

34 06.756’ N, 117 58.186’ W

This is quite a long river trail ride that passes numerous parks, residential, homestead and commercial areas. With the exception of two road crossings the ride uses a cycle path that sees light foot traffic (usually just near the parks). It is a popular route with road riders looking for a good workout.

Note, I describe the route as a one way trip, but without a shuttle it will obviously be an out and back. Bear in mind the wind direction when considering when you’ve had enough and it’s time to turn around ;-)

Getting there

Although you could obviously start at either end, this trace was taken by starting at Santa Fe Dam. From the 605 freeway take Arrow Highway East. Parking may be found on the left 0.5 miles beyond the freeway exit, directly opposite the start of the trail Google directions to start

 

The Ride

San Gabriel River Trail startAfter parking at the Santa Fe dam cross Arrow Highway to join the start of the cycle path on the right hand side of the river. This section of the ride passes through a commercial area that transitions into excavations. At 4.2 miles you pass under the 605 freeway, followed by the 10 freeway at 4.7 miles and the 60 freeway at 6.74 miles. Whittier Narrows Dam is now to the right.

San Gabriel RiverAt 8.44 miles the path crosses the river. This crossing is normally dry but I’ve seen it flooded (up to the bottom bracket) and to have risen quickly in a few hours. The path zig-zags a little is it goes around a putting green.

9.3 miles brings a tricky road crossing - you can’t cut straight across due to the median barrier so either turn right and cross at the junction, or take the shorter route as I did by riding against traffic to the other end of the bridge and then crossing the median to reconnect with the cycle path. Back on the path, at 9.54 miles there is a strange cable contraption crossing the river. You will no doubt notice an increasing amount of livestock in properties adjacent to the path, and especially horses.

San Gabriel River Trail flood control14.8 miles brings the 5 freeway, and the 91 freeway is passed under at 19.7 miles. Around 23 miles El Dorado park is on the left, followed by a bridge crossing at 25.6 miles. Pass under the 405 freeway at 26.2 miles - the power plants ahead are a sure sign you are getting close to the end.

After crossing Pacific Coast Highway at 29 miles and Marina Drive at 29.5 miles the end of the path is reached as at merges into the beach. A small restaurant can be found on the left, and exits from the parking lead shortly to the main street of Seal BeachSan Gabriel River Trail end at Seal Beach.

Ride log

Last Ridden

Condition

Pedal Time

Elapsed Time

Dec 28th, 08

Excellent - rode from Seal Beach to Santa Fe Dam

2 hours 32 minutes

2 hours 42 minutes

Aug 8th, 08

Excellent - path is in good condition and there was little traffic

2 hours 35 minutes

2 hours 50 minutes

Links

[Directions to start]

[Map in pdf (991 KB)]

[GPS Trace (waypoint every quarter mile)]

[GPS Trace (all waypoints)]

[Topo file (.tpo)]

 

 

 

SanGabrielRvr2SealBeach

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/topo

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Site Last Modified: Tuesday, March 10, 2009