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Ken Burton Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 3.5 (68)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Los Angeles
  4. Altadena
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“A moderate loop and popular option out of Altadena. ”

Alex Johnson
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14.8

Miles

23.7

KM

50%

Singletrack

2,947' 898 m

High

1,157' 353 m

Low

2,055' 627 m

Up

2,058' 627 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

37%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

This approximately fourteen-mile loop can be done after work or with minimal driving. The ride is made up of a fire road and single/doubletrack climb followed by a singletrack downhill and an easy cruise back down the Gabrielino Trail.

Description

Start at the parking lot on Windsor and Ventura in Altadena. Head north on Gabrieleno Trail - paved turn right at the fork and continue up Fern Truck Trail to the saddle, then make a left at Brown Mountain.

Continue on Brown Mountain until it ends, then go straight onto the Ken Burton Trail. Continue on Ken Burton Trail until it ends and intersects with the Gabrielino Trail. Make a left and cruise the remaining four miles back to the parking lot. Watch out for hikers, especially on the Gabrielino Trail.

History & Background

Ken Burton Trail is an old trail built by mountain bikers that has been closed for years and has just re-opened making this loop possible again.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Angeles National Forest Office

Shared By:

Alex Johnson with improvements by John May
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 68 votes

#3

in Altadena

#349

Overall
  3.5 from 68 votes
5 Star
19%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
16%
1 Star
6%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Altadena

#44

in California

#349

Overall
99 Views Last Month
21,300 Since Apr 17, 2016
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
16%
13%
62%
9%
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Photos

Erik hittin' switches just below the Ken Burton Memorial, a fine morning in the ANF.
Sep 18, 2018 near La Caña…, CA
Lots of stream crossings on the way up Gabrielino Trail. It's a challenge not to fall in at least once!
Jan 11, 2015 near La Caña…, CA
Ken Burton Grand Opening
May 6, 2016 near La Caña…, CA
Looking over the valley towards lower Gabrelino Trail from Upper Gabrelino.
Dec 29, 2021 near La Caña…, CA
Splash through this water crossing at one of the spillways.
Mar 16, 2017 near La Caña…, CA
One of the many fun creek / river crossings
Feb 9, 2016 near La Caña…, CA

12 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Sep 30, 2025
Jon Sawa
2h 00m
Jul 6, 2023
Brad Strain
Last rode in Feb. Very overgrown down from the saddle down to the Gabrielino and the Lwr Gab is VERY washed out. 14mi — 3h 05m
Feb 18, 2023
Brad Strain
Trail is in overall good shape, a fair amount of water in the Arroyo Secco and the heavy January rains rearranged debris along the creek bed. 14mi — 3h 00m
Jul 10, 2022
A V
May 21, 2022
A V
Mar 5, 2022
Andy Babb
NOT for intermediates imho! I am an intermediate biker and the KB trail was super tough. I did not have fun but am glad I gave it a shot.
Jan 13, 2022
Sydney Aveson
One of my favorite rides in CA. 13.6mi — 4h 22m
Dec 2, 2021
Clark Perry
The trail is in great shape! The brush has been recently cut back. Lots of fun! 14.6mi — 2h 10m

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