5.9 hr
Overview
Start off at Eaton Saddle and climb through Mueller Tunnel. At the 4-way fork go left up the stone steps and begin the Mt Lowe East Trail. At the next fork, take the left to stay on Mt Lowe East Trail. This trail will connect with Mt Lowe Road, continue downhill to the fork to take Middle Sam Merrill Trail (3rd left). You can also visit Inspiration Point! It is a short ride up the second left at the fork. Middle Sam Merrill Trail lets you out near the Echo Mountain ruins, also a nice stop! <br><br>At the bottom of Middle Sam Merrill Trail go right and climb Mt Lowe Railway to reconnect with Mt Lowe Road. At Mt Lowe Road go left and in a few feet, you'll see Sunset Ridge Trail on the right - hop on and enjoy. Sunset Ridge Trail comes to a clearing about half way down, stay right. Sunset Ridge Trail will again meet up with Mt Lowe Road; continue downhill until you see Lower Sunset on the right. <br><br>Take this trail to Millard Campground and continue straight through the creek and start the short climb. Continue on the fire road until you see El Prieto Trail on the left. Take El Prieto Trail to the end and continue straight on Gabrieleno Trail - paved to the parking lot. This combination of trails makes for an epic day of riding that will have you smiling all the way down! <br><br>For some extra fun, turn right at Gabrielino Trail and go to the Barrier Dam or head south past the parking lot toward Devils Gate Dam.
Trail Stats
22.2 km
234 m
1630 m
352 m
—
Photos
Starting of Fern Truck Trail.
Starting of Fern Truck Trail.
View down into the valley.
View down into the valley.
Exiting Mt. Lowe Tunnel.
Exiting Mt. Lowe Tunnel.
Watch your noggin, those bushes are dangerous!
Watch your noggin, those bushes are dangerous!
El Prieto trail. Beautiful area other than lots of poison oak!
El Prieto trail. Beautiful area other than lots of poison oak!
Start of the Sunset Ridge trail.
Start of the Sunset Ridge trail.
Go around this gate to begin the long climb to the top where Sunset Ridge Trail begins
Go around this gate to begin the long climb to the top where Sunset Ridge Trail begins
Sweet singletrack through some burned trees along the ridge.
Sweet singletrack through some burned trees along the ridge.
Singletrack section of the Sunset Ridge downhill - decent exposure throughout this section
Singletrack section of the Sunset Ridge downhill - decent exposure throughout this section
More remnants of the Mt. Lowe Railway.
More remnants of the Mt. Lowe Railway.
Signage at the saddle, the view before you keep heading up Brown to the very top and/or the start of Ken Burton.
Signage at the saddle, the view before you keep heading up Brown to the very top and/or the start of Ken Burton.
Next to Windsor Ave. parking.
Next to Windsor Ave. parking.
Access road leading back to the trailheads.
Access road leading back to the trailheads.
Mugwort is a natural antidote to Poison Oak exposure you can scrunch up some leaves and rub a poultice onto the affected skin. Just don’t uproot the plant.
Mugwort is a natural antidote to Poison Oak exposure you can scrunch up some leaves and rub a poultice onto the affected skin. Just don’t uproot the plant.
View from Middle Sam Merrill Trail
View from Middle Sam Merrill Trail
Bottom of the first section of singletrack descent on Sunset Ridge Trail
Bottom of the first section of singletrack descent on Sunset Ridge Trail
Halfway down Sunset Ridge the trail merges with a paved road. Keep right on the dirt to continue down Sunset Ridge trail. Picnic tables at the top of the paved area.
Halfway down Sunset Ridge the trail merges with a paved road. Keep right on the dirt to continue down Sunset Ridge trail. Picnic tables at the top of the paved area.
Working the front side.
Working the front side.
Sunrise above the clouds
Sunrise above the clouds
Dirt trails descending Sunset Ridge Trail
Dirt trails descending Sunset Ridge Trail
Prieto Canyon Trail stop for a flat tire.
Prieto Canyon Trail stop for a flat tire.
At pavements edge (Don't catch a pedal on the left side retaining posts and mesh.)
At pavements edge (Don't catch a pedal on the left side retaining posts and mesh.)
Mid-morning in the wooded section.
Mid-morning in the wooded section.
Starting the climb out after the Sunset Ridge downhill
Starting the climb out after the Sunset Ridge downhill
Top of Sunset Ridge, ready to drop into the singletrack after the initial climb
Top of Sunset Ridge, ready to drop into the singletrack after the initial climb
Switchback into the mist near the top of Sunset Ridge Trail. Everything green is Poison Oak.
Switchback into the mist near the top of Sunset Ridge Trail. Everything green is Poison Oak.
Last switchback before the home stretch to the top.
Last switchback before the home stretch to the top.
The ride starts here!
The ride starts here!
El Prieto alternates between tight switchbacks and long, flowy sections.
El Prieto alternates between tight switchbacks and long, flowy sections.
Skipping over to Millard
Skipping over to Millard
A bit of technical fun on the way down El Prieto.
A bit of technical fun on the way down El Prieto.
Just about to come around to the front side.
Just about to come around to the front side.
Jump finale at El Prieto
Jump finale at El Prieto
Cresting the ridge during last light.
Cresting the ridge during last light.
One of the flowy sections along the El Prieto Trail.
One of the flowy sections along the El Prieto Trail.
Patrick hits a switchback splashdown special near the top of El Prieto
Patrick hits a switchback splashdown special near the top of El Prieto
The crew drops in at the top of El Prieto.
The crew drops in at the top of El Prieto.
This trail is tirelessly maintained by volunteers like Erik, seen here riding past his sawyering handiwork.
This trail is tirelessly maintained by volunteers like Erik, seen here riding past his sawyering handiwork.
It's fun to jam down this trail, but you'll miss all the beauty of the canyon.
It's fun to jam down this trail, but you'll miss all the beauty of the canyon.
Pic from Mountain Bike Action Magazine showing Gary Fisher hitting this trail back in 1991.
Pic from Mountain Bike Action Magazine showing Gary Fisher hitting this trail back in 1991.
Pushing up in the snow
Pushing up in the snow
Middle Sam Merrill on a fall evening.
Middle Sam Merrill on a fall evening.
A steep section challenges riders on the Middle Sam Merrill Trail.
A steep section challenges riders on the Middle Sam Merrill Trail.
Jen keeping it rolling through dusty ruts. Great trail for the area!
Jen keeping it rolling through dusty ruts. Great trail for the area!