5.0 miles
Distance
1,148 ft
Climb
-1,153 ft
Descent
2,383 ft
High Point
-5 ft
Altitude change
1,301 ft
Altitude min
1,306 ft
Altitude start
1,302 ft
Altitude end
-42.8%
Grade max
47%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
820 ft
Distance flat

How to get up to, and then down El Prieto

Detailed Description
El Prieto Loop is a 5 mile popular intermediate route located near Altadena California. This mountain bike primary route. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 1,148 ft with a max elevation of 2,383 ft then descends -1,153 ft.

Trail Issues on Route

  • Minor Issue / Yellow: 2 trails (newest: Jun 25, 2026)
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Mount Wilson Bicycling Association (mwba.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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Stats

  • Distance
    5 miles
  • Avg time
    1 hr 20 min
  • Altitude change
    -5 ft
  • Altitude min
    1,301 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,306 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,302 ft
  • Climb
    1,148 ft
  • Descent
    -1,153 ft
  • Grade max
    -42.8%
  • Grade min
    47%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    820 ft

24 Reviews & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Brown Mountain
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Activity Logs
    452
Avg: 5 (1 votes)
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Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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    • Singletrack

    Photos

    more photos »
    mtb
    mtb
    mtb
    101 | 1 comments
    mtb
    100 | 1 comments

    Videos

    more videos »
    Jump Fail
    mtb
    Jump Fail
    0:20 | 45 | comments: 0 | favs: 1
    Sep 26, 2025
    Tried doing a jump and ended terrible
    youtuber El Prieto Trail / Altadena, CA / MTB
    mtb
    El Prieto Trail / Altadena, CA / MTB
    6:05 | 551 | comments: 0 | favs:
    Sep 28, 2023

    Recent Trail Reports Along Route

    statustraildateconditiondescription
    Fern Truck Trail
    Jun 25, 2026 @ 7:30am (America/Los_Angeles)
    Jun 25, 2026
    		Bear sighting at Brown Mountain lower saddle 615pm-ish 6/24/2026. It walked down the upper trail towards a group of around 10 riders at the benches before taking a right and disappearing into the bushes. Didn't seem too afraid even though we were a big group.
    El Prieto Trail
    Jun 2, 2026 @ 8:36pm (America/Los_Angeles)
    Jun 2, 2026
    Brown Mountain Road
    May 18, 2026 @ 8:55pm (America/Los_Angeles)
    May 18, 2026
    		Poodle dog bush is starting to leave minimal amount of room for getting thru some sections without accidental contact. This is above the junction on the way up to Ken Burton.
    more reports »
    • By Geckoblue545 & contributors
    • #27402 - 2,322 views

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