4.2 miles
Distance
61 ft
Climb
-1,363 ft
Descent
00:54:05
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Gabrielino (NRT) Trail

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Angeles National Forest
    Pasadena, California
  • AKA
    Redbox
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    All year
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Garden
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #38263 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #74990 in Trail Running
    • #20620 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    90 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 70 in Hiking

This section of the Gabrielino Trail is locally known as "Red Box to Switzers" because it starts at the Red Box Ranger Station and ends at Switzers Campground. Fast and flowy for the first two miles, with broad turns and occasional chunk. It gets gradually rougher as it drops into the canyon, culminating in an advanced level, waterfall-style rock garden. The rock garden is a short, easy hike if it becomes too challenging for intermediates. The last two miles are less steep, have some tight switch backs with moderate exposure. There is a also a brief climb with a couple of switchbacks just before your reach the end. Note: there is a free water fountain at Red Box Ranger Station. If the ranger station is open, a floor pump is also on hand and snacks can be purchased. These amenities and easy access to Hwy 2 make this a popular trail for shuttle repeats. That said, this trail is quite climbable and near a popular hiking center so it is not unusual to encounter uphill traffic and hikers.

Access Info

Take the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) North exit from the 210 freeway. Follow Hwy 2 until you see the first ranger station. This is where you can buy an Adventure Pass, which you will need for parking anywhere inside the Angeles National Forest. From there, head up the high four miles until you come to the Red Box Ranger Station parking lot on your right. It will be where Hwy 2 intersects with Mount Wilson Red Box Road.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Gabrielino Trail (NRT) mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,305 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,309 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,615 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,615 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,310 ft
  • Grade
    -5.9%
  • Grade max
    -46.3%
  • Grade min
    11.5%
  • Distance climb
    1,870 ft
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    725 ft
  • Avg time
    00:54:05
  • Avg reverse time
    02:00:16
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Dec 28, 2024
Dry
Avg: 4.06 (10 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
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  • Snow Packed
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  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
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  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to gabrielino-trail-nrt trailhead (34.258070, -118.105230)
      update trails status or condition

      Gabrielino Trail... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Dec 28, 2024 @ 8:32am
      Dec 28, 2024
      Running great, only one minor tree issue, a little overgrown but generally good
      May 28, 2024 @ 9:39pm
      May 28, 2024
      Lots of overgrowth plus one tree down. Needs some TLC before we’d rip again
      Jan 15, 2024 @ 7:19pm
      Jan 15, 2024
      4 TREES DOWN! 2 OF THEN ARE EASY TO PASS.
      Jan 13, 2024 @ 12:57am
      Jan 13, 2024
      Section below the rock garden is overgrown enough to remove skin and really loose. Talking about the better part of a mile of scrub oak and...
      Jan 1, 2024 @ 7:37pm
      Jan 1, 2024
      two trees down, one overgrown short stretch and a few borderline overgrown areas, but overall a ton of fun and great loop with strawberry
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 7 rides
      • 23 miles avg distance
      All
      • 92 rides
      • Last: Jan 1, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      99 |
      Jul 3, 2021 @ 9:03pm
      Jul 3, 2021
      97 |
      Feb 7, 2021 @ 12:21am
      Feb 7, 2021
      112 |
      Feb 7, 2021 @ 12:21am
      Feb 7, 2021
      93 |
      Feb 7, 2021 @ 12:21am
      Feb 7, 2021

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Red Box to JPL15 miles
      Super Kenyon Devore27 miles
      Ride up to Red Box and down to JPL32 miles

      1 Review & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber Gabrielino Trail — Redbox to Switzers |...
      12:43 | 905 | Jun 6, 2018 , Pasadena
      Lollipop XC Loop Part 2: Red Box to Switzer |...
      22:14 | 254 | Dec 21, 2021 , Pasadena
      Redbox to Switzer Falls (Gabrielino NRT)
      21:14 | 794 | Jul 11, 2019 , Pasadena
      Red Box to Switzers | Strawberry Peak Part 4 -...
      17:09 | 342 | Apr 18, 2019 , Pasadena
      • By BlazeNawaY & contributors
      • #34943 - 8,829 views

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