Horse Trail/Chaney Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Views

Since the original listing of this trail a lot of work has been done on the upper portion, many of the ruts have been filled, many areas repaired, and numerous water bars have been installed. Along with these have come some features (gaps and drops, requiring clearing 5 or 6 feet) For riders to avoid unknowingly ending up on a feature and damaging it by skidding, falling, rolling it or otherwise, as well as becoming injured; the general rule of thumb is, if a mound/feature spans the entire width of the trail, it is a water bar or roller, if a taller mound or feature is off to one side or the other of the line, it will be/is a gap.

This trail is high in clay content and easily damaged and rutted after rains, it is recommended that riders stay off this trail for at least a 24 hour period after rains.

As social media has expanded and hiking in the foothills has greatly increased, more hikers have begun using the trail, it is highly advised that riders have bells during this descen

At the junction of Sunset Ridge Road and Lower Sunset Ridge Trail, take the short, paved section west (down the front side). On the right you'll see a flat, open dirt area. The trail drops from the road on the far end.

This is a nice and challenging alternative to get back to the JPL parking lot, if you have done the Mount Wilson/SCOA shuttle, or to get back to the top of Lake Avenue, if you rode up Lower Sam Merrill Trail and down Sunset Trail.

UPPER PORTION: The trail is a winding singletrack descent with a number of switchbacks and some bermed corners. It is generally hard-packed with some sections of sandy/loose terrain. The trail varies from flowing to very rutted and rocky. Parts of the trail parallel a water pipe, which is, in places, exposed and may have very deep (12"-18") ruts alongside it.

After rains, these ruts become much more common and apparent. At the end of the upper section (where the trail crosses Chaney Trail Road), there is a small, unavoidable drop (due to the board retaining the trail), be careful here, not only because of vehicular traffic on the road, but also because of wooden piles set just out of sight below the drop, which can cause you to crash if you hit them.
Caution should be taken as there are the occasional local hikers and trail-runners, and the trail in areas is narrow with blind corners.

LOWER PORTION: The lower portion of this trail drops in directly across the road from the upper. Initially, it is a winding fire road/doubletrack descent, becoming a singletrack towards the end. There are several short but steep climbs along this section, as well as many loose-over-hard and sandy/dusty sections. The descents are fast and some are fairly steep.

The trail ends on Sunset Ridge Road, just outside the gated development; head left down the road, and it will take you to Alta Loma Drive. From there, you can either go left, back up to the top of Lake Avenue/Lower Sam Merrill, or you can go right to Lincoln Ave, where you can then ride along the road through the nearby neighborhood, back to the JPL parking lot.
Caution on this section, as there are occasionally individual and group horseback riders coming up from below.