Sunset Ridge Trail 12W18

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This is a very busy trail with many bicycles going fast downhill. Do not use recently bulldozed firebreak. Please allow native plants to recover.

To reach the trail, take the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 0.3 miles from the gate at Chaney Trail (road) and bear left at the signed junction. The trail contours around the side of the mountain with good views of Millard Falls below. In another 0.2 miles, a junction is reached near some cabins. The Millard Canyon Trail goes left and follows the canyon to Dawn Mine. The Sunset Ridge Trail climbs up a series of switchbacks and connects back with the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 briefly and then continues climbing to meet the road again near the intersection with the Echo Mountain Trail 12W14.A.

The trail itself is very narrow singletrack with a few exposed sections. Keep an eye open for poison oak in the spring and summer when the trail can be a bit overgrown. There are picnic tables shaded by pine trees about half way at Sierra Saddle. Most of the trail is unshaded, and there are several winding switchbacks that lead you through the trees. Depending on which direction you hike, the trail is either a gradual downhill or steady uphill.

The trail can be combined with the Dawn Mine Trail 12W13 and Millard Canyon Trail for a nice loop.

Oaks and chaparral plants like ceanothus, sage, laurel sumac. Good wildflowers in spring. Watch for and avoid poison oak.