2 miles
Distance
408 ft
Climb
-1,486 ft
Descent
00:20:45
Avg time
Trail Supporters, Builders & Maintainers of Ken Burton Trail

Ken Burton Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Brown Mountain
    Altadena, California
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Trail Usage
    Multi-use
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Skinny
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #24870 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    60 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Year Opened
    1991

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.

source: https://mwba.org/news/ken-burton-trail/
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
More Stats for Ken Burton mountain bike trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,078 ft
  • Altitude min
    1,832 ft
  • Altitude max
    2,960 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,910 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,832 ft
  • Grade
    -8.889%
  • Grade max
    -68.684%
  • Grade min
    35.805%
  • Distance climb
    3,137 ft
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    696 ft
  • Avg time
    00:20:45
  • Avg reverse time
    01:06:02
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Oct 25, 2020
Very Dry
Avg: 3.85 (7 votes)

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  • Activity Type  
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • < 50%
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The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
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  • Both Directions
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  • One Direction
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Trail Popularity ?
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Trail Difficulties
  • Access Road/Trail
  • White
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Double Black Diamond

Trail Report Status
  • Clear / Green
  • Minor Issue / Yellow
  • Significant Issue / Amber
  • Closed

  • Land Owner Overlay
  • Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
  • BLM (public)
  • USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
  • State land
  • Indigenous
  • Military
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
  • Map Markers
  • trail Trail Head
  • photo Photo
  • place Directory Listing
  • region Riding Area
  • TTF TTF
  • Parking Parking
  • Viewpoint Viewpoint
  • Information Information
  • Warning Warning
  • Directions Directions
  • Sight Sight
  • Restrooms Restrooms
  • eBike Charging Point eBike Charging Point
  • Water Fountain/Source Water Fountain/Source
  • Gate Gate
  • Trail Sign Trail Sign
  • Table or Bench Table or Bench
  • Ladder Ladder
  • Stairs Stairs
  • Bridge Bridge
  • Boardwalk Boardwalk
  • Camping Camping
  • Cabin Cabin
  • Lodge Lodge
  • Bear Cache Bear Cache
  • Dock Dock
  • Ranger Station Ranger Station
  • Summit Summit
  • Other Other
      Directions to ken-burton trailhead (34.241879, -118.167422)
      update trails status or condition

      Ken Burton Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Oct 25, 2020 @ 7:39am
      Oct 25, 2020
      		 Overgrown and a little washed out a bit but still fun.
      Sep 2, 2020 @ 7:50am
      Sep 2, 2020
      		 From Wellas Peak down to Gabrellino Trail it’s very overgrown for Mtb riding. It’s passable just tight and scratchy.
      May 18, 2020 @ 2:46pm
      May 18, 2020
      		 Overgrown: prepare for a beating.
      Jan 26, 2020 @ 3:27pm
      Jan 26, 2020
      		 Great condition, a little brushy near the middle.
      Jan 3, 2020 @ 8:43am
      Jan 3, 2020
      		 Narrow and exposed sections.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 2 rides
      • 14 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 15 rides
      • 15 miles avg distance
      All
      • 179 rides
      •  

      Photos

      more »
      60 |
      Jul 17, 2018 @ 2:39pm
      Jul 17, 2018
      54 |
      Jul 17, 2018 @ 2:39pm
      Jul 17, 2018
      314 |
      Apr 18, 2016 @ 10:21am
      Apr 18, 2016
      260 |
      Apr 18, 2016 @ 10:20am
      Apr 18, 2016

      Links

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      Use trail reports to comment on trail conditions.


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