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Easy to manage doubletrack that gets you to some of the best downhill in the area.


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.2

KM

Doubletrack

2,393' 729 m

High

1,223' 373 m

Low

1,171' 357 m

Up

378' 115 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

13%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This trail is in the Angeles National Forest which prohibits eMTBs on all but OHV trails. Despite the name, this is not an OHV trail and eMTBs are prohibited. Signs are posted at the fork where the trail heads up into the USFS land, but unfortunately they are frequently torn down.

Description

I debated long and hard about the rating for this trail. Technically, it should only be beginner/intermediate, but there are small parts that can be considered intermediate. Most people, I think, would fall somewhere between the two.

From the end of N Arroyo Blvd, take Fern Truck Trail to the right, and follow the sign to Brown Mtn. In a few hundred yards, splash through the first, and deepest, creek crossing of the day and climb the baby-head rock garden to another trail split. To the right is the bottom of El Prieto, the entire reason you're here. To the left is the first switchback of Fern Truck Trail. Go left. From there, it's 2.6 miles to the top of Saddle Junction, and over that span you'll climb 1100 feet, a steady 8% grade.

There are no trail splits, so just put your head down and find a rhythm, and soon you'll reach a plateau beneath a tight group of tall pines, the only ones around. This is Saddle Jucntion. Uphill and to the left/north is a three-mile out-and-back spur to Brown Mtn. Downhill and straight/east is Fern Truck Trail for another mile to the top of El Prieto Trail. This last downhill section is actually pretty fun with some whoops, some cliff exposure, a small water crossing, and some fast, smooth downhill.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dave Gregg with improvements by John May

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 17 votes

#2

in Altadena

#8540

Overall
  3.8 from 17 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
41%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Altadena

#539

in California

#8,540

Overall
2 Views Last Month
4,313 Since Feb 16, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

13%
0%
87%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

The crew drops in at the top of El Prieto.
May 12, 2017 near La Caña…, CA
One of the first few switchbacks on EL P
Apr 17, 2023 near La Caña…, CA
At Fern and Brown Trail junction flat spot.
Sep 25, 2016 near La Caña…, CA
Jump finale at El Prieto
Aug 26, 2018 near La Caña…, CA
Brown Mountain - El Prieto
Jul 9, 2023 near La Caña…, CA
At the top before going down El Prieto.
Jul 24, 2021 near La Caña…, CA

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