trails around pasadena?

[mrpoonerson]

i know of the lower arroyo seco trail... alot of climbing... any fun trails local? i looked at the post somewhere around these forums regarding google earth but those trails are all at least half an hour or more away from me... so yea anything near pasadena or la canada or soemthin? maybe im just not looking in the right place

[TURNERob]

A half hour drive wouldn't be considered far to drive to get to a mtn bike trail. That is the minimum drive I have (with no traffic) to get to trails from my house.

[dstepper]

There are tons of trails in that area, many of them excellent.

Mt. Wilson Tollroad I believe is still closed

Millard Campground Area: Altadena
My Lowe Fireroad
Brown Mountain Fireroad
Ken Burton Trail
El Preito
Sunset
Echo Mountain Trail
Upper and Lower Sam Merrill Trails
Idelhour Trail Trail

Chantry Flats Area: Sierra Madre/Monrovia
Mt Wilson Trail
Winter Creek Trail
Sturtevant Trail
Gabrieleno Trail

Up Highway 2
Strawberry Peak Loop
Colby Canyon Trail
Chailao Three Peaks
Mt. Waterman

Theres a start for ya!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by FXRob

A half hour drive wouldn't be considered far to drive to get to a mtn bike trail. That is the minimum drive I have (with no traffic) to get to trails from my house.

Exactly. If you think pasadena is bad look at Long Beach on the trail map and see how far I have to drive to get to any decent riding. Usually at least 45 mins unless I get stuck in traffic. Makes a ride become about a 4 hour time committment (1hr drive+2hr ride+ 1hr drive back).

WORD ON THAT George, we have it tough man. Gotta drive at least 28 miles to the closest trail (el moro). I guess it is part of the experience though.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

there are time when i drive up to an hour and a half to get to a trailhead (Santa Monica Mountains , Idyllwild or Big Bear) but it's all worth it. You have a lot of local stuff to explore, i'd do that first then go out and about.

[Schecky]

Yep, I'm in North County near Seal Beach. Any ride includes a bit o' driving.
It is well worth it.
My next house will be next to a trailhead!

[mrpoonerson]

oh no doubt i want to venture out but im just trying to find stuff thats local so i can know what i have close to me. now all those trails that dstepper listed are what i want to check out, how do you find directions to them?

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

go to singletrackmind.com

[pshloss]

My recommendation for a starter trail in that area is Brown Mt/El Prieto. It is about a 10 mile loop and pretty fun. If you feel like longer, more challenging rides, the list from dstepper is pretty complete. Another source for trail directions is http://www.socalmtb.com/socal/trails

Also http://www.ronbigelow.com/Outings/Trails/Trails.htm and http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-st...S_4520CRX.ASPX

[mrpoonerson]

thanks you guys

[dstepper]

The best Topo maps I have found.

http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com/

$8.95 hard to find at stores, so I order them online.

[Diamondback]

I have to give you LB guys and others lotsa credit for your
loyalty to the sport. I live 3 blocks away from a trailhead,
though its mostly just fireroad. I also can look out my window and
see the hills. Maybe we can get together for a ride here sometimes.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

riding out there would be great, lett's try to set up a ride in about 2-3 weeks

[dstepper]

The trailheads close to the SG Valley are very popular with hikers during the weekends, especially Lower Sam Merrill. I think LSM is one of the most traveled trials in California. If I ride that area on a weekend I start further up the mountains like, Strawberry/Josephine, Chilao/Charlton, or Waterman.

Chantry Flats area is a good weekend ride, as the paved road is probably still closed so not many people out there. Winter Creek/Mt. Zion/Gabrileno is great loop. But you will have a possible mile hike-a-bike up the Sturtevant Trail to Mt. Zion.

On the weekends many downhillers start at Eaton Saddle and come down Upper Sam Merrill, Middle Sam Merrill, Sunset Ridge, El Prieto. Just a warning not to go up those trials, not that you would want to…they are very exposed, steep, rocky and tight in places. Not a place you want to send a downhiller off the trail.

My point is: weekday rides out there are much better.

If you have not explored Mt. Wilson and the San Gabriel’s get out there you are missing allot!