2.4 miles
Distance
41 ft
Climb
-1,280 ft
Descent
00:23:37
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Middle Sam Merrill Trail

  • USFS
    Land Manager

Middle Sam Merrill Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Angeles National Forest
    Pasadena, California
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (2 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    All Year
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #3927 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #57290 in Trail Running
    • #5982 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 85 in Hiking

Middle Sam Merrill starts from the Mt Lowe Fire Road at the intersection to Inspiration Point. The single track trail is narrow, exposed and loose. It begins on the shady side of the mountain and wraps around to the sunny side where it gets increasingly loose and dry. This is an advanced trail with exposure, rock drops, etc.

Be aware this is a multi use trail and hikers are commonly found coming up from the Echo Mtn ruins below. Bell use is highly recommended and appreciated by other trail users. This trail commonly causes flats so be prepared with extra tubes, pump, etc. Also a good idea to check your brakes before riding this trail as you will be using them and using them heavily.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Middle Sam Merrill mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,239 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,229 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,475 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,468 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,228 ft
  • Grade
    -9.8%
  • Grade max
    -52.3%
  • Grade min
    11.4%
  • Distance climb
    1,135 ft
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    499 ft
  • Avg time
    00:23:37
  • Avg reverse time
    00:45:51
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jan 30, 2025
Avg: 4.43 (17 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (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%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
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  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
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  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
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Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
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      Directions to middle-sam-merrill trailhead (34.224180, -118.110260)
      update trails status or condition

      Middle Sam Merrill Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jan 30, 2025 @ 2:59pm
      Jan 30, 2025
      Dec 22, 2024 @ 9:56pm
      Dec 22, 2024
      Aug 14, 2024 @ 10:48am
      Aug 14, 2024
      		 Very dry and loose. Gotta take things easy with all the extreme exposure on this trail.
      Nov 23, 2023 @ 11:47am
      Nov 23, 2023
      Oct 6, 2023 @ 3:03am
      Oct 6, 2023
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 8 rides
      • 15 miles avg distance
      All
      • 152 rides
      • Last: Jan 5, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      41 |
      Jul 17, 2024 @ 9:31pm
      Jul 17, 2024
      170 |
      Nov 7, 2021 @ 8:44am
      Nov 7, 2021
      258 |
      Nov 7, 2021 @ 8:44am
      Nov 7, 2021
      177 |
      Nov 7, 2021 @ 8:44am
      Nov 7, 2021

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Eaton Saddle Shuttle8 miles
      Mt Lowe, Sam Merril, sunset, EP13 miles
      Mt. Wilson shuttle14 miles
      Mt. Wilson Mega25 miles

      1 Review & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      Middle Sam Merrill / Pasadena, CA / MTB
      9:43 | 146 | Jul 11, 2024 , Pasadena
      youtuber MT Wilson : Saving Rider from a Tragic Fall #bike
      11:55 | 115 | Jan 12, 2024 , Pasadena
      Don't Ride This Trail if You're Scared...
      8:00 | 99 | Jan 4, 2024 , Pasadena
      youtuber SAM MERRIL
      17:08 | 121 | Apr 11, 2023 , Pasadena

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