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A great singletrack with scenic views, tight switchbacks, and a few rocky sections.


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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.6

KM

Point to Point

3,409' 1,039 m

High

2,211' 674 m

Low

1,198' 365 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Need to Know

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

Description

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.

Flora & Fauna

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

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#6

in Arroyo Seco

#24988

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#6

in Arroyo Seco

#2,533

in California

#24,988

Overall
7 Views Last Month
2,086 Since Jun 6, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Jan 19, 2020
Pierre LaBelle
Recent trail erosion from rains and mountain bikers, but it's a great hike on a cool day! Nice length if you want to do a short hike. 2.2mi — 1h 30m
Jun 23, 2019
Brennan Boland
Jun 16, 2019
Seth And Seven
good bail out points to cut back 5.2mi — 3h 00m
May 6, 2018
Cycle Brarian
We went up from Chaney Trail, followed Sunset Ridge Trail and then took the more exposed Mt. Lowe Road down to make a nice loop. 4mi — 2h 30m
Feb 25, 2018
Nikki Oesch
2.2mi
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