24 BROWN MOUNTAIN/EL PRIETO

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

Length: 8 miles

Configuration: Loop

Technical difficulty: 5

Aerobic difficulty: 3

Scenery: Arroyo Seco, Fern Canyon, Brown Mountain, Millard Canyon, Los Angeles

Exposure: 50% exposed to sunshine

Trail traffic: Moderate–heavy on weekdays, very heavy on weekends

Trail surface: Varies from dry hardpack to loose and rocky surface—20% singletrack

Riding time: 2–3 hours

Access: Sunrise–sunset, 7 days a week

Maps: USGS 7.5-minute quad: Pasadena

Special comments: Check smog forecasts, and be wary of extreme heat.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES (WGS84)

UTM Zone 11S

Easting 392365

Northing 3786165

Latitude N 34.12′39″

Longitude W 118.10′06″

DIRECTIONS

From I-210, take the Arroyo Windsor exit and head north 0.8 miles; park in the large lot on your left. The entrance to the park lies just north of this lot at the end of Windsor Drive.

In Brief

El Prieto is probably the most popular singletrack route in LA County. Its considerable technical difficulty and closeness to LA make it attractive to the masses. Although this has become a regular haunt for downhillers, don’t be intimidated on the way up Brown Mountain Road by the their big bikes, full-face helmets, and body armor—any skilled rider on any type of mountain bike can clean this descent. You can even do this ride if you’re a novice as long as you’re prepared to dismount and walk several sections. The heavy traffic this trail receives has damaged it, so all riders should avoid cutting switchbacks and blazing their own lines.

Description

This is the prime after-work ride of the San Gabriel Mountains because the trailhead is centrally located and requires only a two-hour commitment. If you choose to do this route in the summer, don’t hesitate to start the ride late, as it can be extremely hot. Even the most experienced riders can find themselves crippled by the heat, along with the smog that can plague the area, on the climb up Brown Mountain Road.

After slathering on copious amounts of your favorite UV blocker and filling your hydration pack to capacity, hit the road. Head north from the parking lot, and continue beyond the end of the arroyo to the gated road marked with a sign for the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail. Spin away the first 1.4 miles to the turnoff for Brown Mountain Road, a clearly signposted right turn. After roughly 500 feet of dirt, you’ll see the lower entrance of El Prieto Trail. Save El Prieto for later and continue up Brown Mountain Road. Start thinking about baseball here so you can ignore the burning sensation in your lungs and legs as you start your quest to slay nearly 1,000 feet of elevation over the next 2.5 miles. If you’re unlucky enough to hit this spot on a still, obscenely hot summer day, try to maintain the rpm’s to keep your radiators from boiling over, and be prepared to swat away some bugs.

Oddly, many riders choose to bomb down Brown Mountain Road instead of El Prieto, so watch out for reckless riders and avoid hugging the blind corners on your way to the summit. After 2.5 miles of climbing, a small grove of pine trees and an open gate will appear, marking a fork where you will turn right after a snack and a breather, if necessary. Turn right at the fork for a mild 1-mile fire-road descent with a short climb. Keep an eye out for the upper entrance to El Prieto Trail, which will be marked with a small sign, on your right.

You’ll immediately see why this trail scores a 5 for technical difficulty. This 1.5-mile descent through a shaded ravine is very steep and full of rocky obstacles and includes countless near-impassable switchbacks. In addition to the technical subtleties are a few places where the trail divides briefly and then rejoins itself, giving the rider several lines to choose from on the way down. At a couple of spots, the trail gets very narrow, with disastrous falls for careless front-tire wandering. Be careful and walk the bike through these sections—you can’t be airlifted out of here too easily because of the large oak trees. It’s easy to be taken by the scenic wonder of this spot—the gurgling creek snaking through the hillside, amid eroded sandstone boulders seemingly held in place by nothing more that the odd twig or oak root, is mesmerizing, to say the least. It’s no wonder the old-school cyclists are very critical of the new school and their perceived destruction and lack of respect for the trail’s delicate state. Curb erosion by staying on the trail and not skidding your rear tire around every turn so your kids can enjoy this place, too.

If you finish El Prieto early enough and you’ve got energy to spare, don’t hesitate to take another lap to see if you can decrease your dab coefficient on your second run. If you’re thoroughly spent, take a left and head back to your car.

After the Ride

For beer aficionados and the malnourished, pay a visit to The Stuffed Sandwich at 1145 East Las Tunas Drive in nearby San Gabriel; (626) 285-9161. For a larger appetite, try Zeke’s Smokehouse BBQ at 2209 Honolulu Avenue in Montrose; (818) 206-8947. It has a casual atmosphere and serves ridiculously tasty cuisine that will thoroughly alleviate any carbo­hydrate, protein, or fat deficiencies.