2.5 hr
Overview
You can access the Brown Mountain road by parking at Millard Campground and heading past the campgrounds and up the obvious dirt road, or by parking on the East side of JPL in the parking lot on Windsor Avenue. From here, follow the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail for about a mile, then stay right and take either the Fern Truck Trail or El Prieto until it joins with Brown Mountain.<br><br>Brown Mountain fire road contours along Brown Mountain, providing views of Pasadena and LA. Although it's never too steep, it gains considerable elevation. Overall it feels quite remote for how close it is to the city and makes a nice connector between other trails in the area. Past the Brown Mountain saddle (where the trail meets with Fern Truck Trail), the terrain gets a bit rougher and after a few miles, it ends on a ridge. <br><br>The Ken Burton Trail connects this point to the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail, making a nice loop back towards JPL.
Trail Stats
7.5 km
377 m
885 m
566 m
—
Photos
Millard Canyon from Brown Mountain Road.
Millard Canyon from Brown Mountain Road.
Looking up the side of Brown Mountain.
Looking up the side of Brown Mountain.
Looking up towards Brown Mountain saddle, where Fern Truck Trail and Brown Mountain Trail split.
Looking up towards Brown Mountain saddle, where Fern Truck Trail and Brown Mountain Trail split.
Looking down El Prieto Canyon from Brown Mountain Trail.
Looking down El Prieto Canyon from Brown Mountain Trail.
Brown Mountain Saddle looking north
Brown Mountain Saddle looking north
The view south towards Altadena from the Brown Mountain Saddle.
The view south towards Altadena from the Brown Mountain Saddle.
One of the many reasons I love running and hiking up Brown Mountain Road is the view of my neighborhood.
One of the many reasons I love running and hiking up Brown Mountain Road is the view of my neighborhood.
View at at the Junction of Fern Truck and Brown Mountain Trail. There are two benches to appreciate the view.
View at at the Junction of Fern Truck and Brown Mountain Trail. There are two benches to appreciate the view.
Top of El Prieto Trail before you start hiking the saddle
Top of El Prieto Trail before you start hiking the saddle
Brown Mountian Road. Thanks for the photo Mike!
Brown Mountian Road. Thanks for the photo Mike!
Sunset on Brown Mountain Road.
Sunset on Brown Mountain Road.