Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Ken Burton Trail
USFSLand Manager
Ken Burton Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaBrown Mountain
Altadena, California -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (1 vote)
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular direction shown
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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TTFs on TrailSkinny
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Ride in RainYes
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Global Ranking
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Local Popularity70 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 85 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
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Year Opened1991
The Ken Burton trail in the Angeles National Forest is a milestone in Southern California mountain bike history. It represents the success of the local group Mount Wilson Bicycling Association (MWBA) and their strong, positive relationship with the USFS land managers in the 1990s. MWBA worked together with the USFS to build the trail as a memorial to Ken Burton, a loved Forestry Firefighter who left his friends and family much too soon.
The trail descends into the Arroyo Seco canyon from the top of Brown Mountain and connects to the Gabrielino trail. Rugged and exposed in many sections, the Ken Burton trail has over 20 steep switchbacks that challenge riders and keep you on your toes. The Ken Burton Monument is on your right side before the switchbacks start. The first three switchbacks will give you a good taste of what is coming ahead. As you near the bottom, be aware of the poison oak as it tends to flourish as you near the bottom of the canyon. Once you get to the Gabrielino, turn left and continue over the dam on your way back to the JPL area.
In 2009, the Station Fire destroyed the trail and it was closed for many years. In 2015, MWBA and CORBA volunteers joined forces and worked solidly for over 6 months on rebuilding the trail. On May 1st, 2016, the Ken Burton trail was officially re-opened at the MWBA Pancake Breakfast.
Access Info
Ken Burton is accessed by climbing 6 miles up Brown Mtn / Fern Truck trail from the JPL Windsor trailhead area
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Ken Burton mountain bike trail trail
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Altitude change-1,078 ft
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Altitude min1,832 ft
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Altitude max2,960 ft
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Altitude start2,910 ft
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Altitude end1,832 ft
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Grade-8.889%
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Grade max-68.684%
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Grade min35.805%
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Distance climb3,137 ft
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Distance down2 miles
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Distance flat696 ft
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Avg time00:23:07
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Avg reverse time00:58:35
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
Ken Burton Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 41 rides
- 16 miles avg distance
All
- 294 rides
Photos
klockwood
(Apr 23, 2022 at 16:04)
Videos
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- By markholloway
Trailforks & contributors - #54034 - 4,907 views
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