2 miles
Distance
408 ft
Climb
-1,486 ft
Descent
00:28:29
Avg time
Trail Supporters, Builders & Maintainers of Ken Burton Trail

Ken Burton Details

  • Riding Area
    Brown Mountain
    Altadena, California
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Trail Usage
    Multi-use
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Skinny
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #24870 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    45 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 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
    00:28:29
  • Avg reverse time
    01:15:07
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Aug 19, 2018
Dry
Avg: 3.85 (7 votes)

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  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Ridden Direction

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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.

  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
Trail Ridden Direction

The intendid direction a trail should be ridden.

  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction

LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
  • Access Road/Trail
  • White
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Double Black Diamond

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

  • 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 Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • 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
  • Water Fountain/Source Water Fountain/Source
  • Sight Sight
  • Restrooms Restrooms
  • Gate Gate
  • Camping Camping
  • Trail Sign Trail Sign
  • Table or Bench Table or Bench
  • Other Other
      Directions to ken-burton trailhead (34.241879, -118.167422)
      update trails status or condition

      Ken Burton Trail Reports

      datedescription
      Aug 19, 2018 @ 8:03am
      Aug 19, 2018
      		 Some erosion on the trail, can ride over most of it but be careful on the edges of the trail especially when it clears up.
      Sep 24, 2017 @ 11:52am
      Sep 24, 2017
      		 All good. The switchbacks can get a little loose, so watch your turns. There is considerable brush on either side of the trail, which didn't...
      May 19, 2016 @ 12:04pm
      May 19, 2016
      		 The trail is riding great! There are a few soft edges along the singletrack and the switchbacks so be cautious and considerate of the trail.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 3 rides
      • 18 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 29 rides
      • 16 miles avg distance
      All
      • 189 rides
      •  

      Photos

      more »
      13 |
      Jul 17, 2018 @ 2:39pm
      Jul 17, 2018
      Ken Burton, Altadena
      14 |
      Jul 17, 2018 @ 2:39pm
      Jul 17, 2018
      Ken Burton, Altadena
      258 |
      Apr 18, 2016 @ 10:21am
      Apr 18, 2016
      Ken Burton, Altadena
      203 |
      Apr 18, 2016 @ 10:20am
      Apr 18, 2016
      Ken Burton, Altadena

      Links

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      Use trail reports to comment on trail conditions.


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      Videos

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      Ken Burton Trail with Martin - XC Mountain...
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      youtuber XC Ride: Ken Burton Trail Grand Opening
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