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2.2 miles
Distance
112 ft
Climb
-1,354 ft
Descent
00:16:15
Avg time
-1,241 ft
Altitude change
2,189 ft
Altitude min
3,433 ft
Altitude max
3,433 ft
Altitude start
2,192 ft
Altitude end
-10.6%
Grade
-63.6%
Grade max
23.3%
Grade min
2,047 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
259 ft
Distance flat
00:16:15
Avg time
Sunset Ridge Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaAngeles National Forest
Pasadena, California -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyDouble Black Diamond (3 votes)
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Local Popularity100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 85 in Trail Running
- 85 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeDH, AM
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular Direction Shown
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Physical RatingModerate
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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TTFs on TrailDrop, Skinny
Sunset Ridge is one of the most fun and challenging single tracks in the front side of Angeles National Forest. It's normally ridden downhill but definitely use a bell and be aware of hikers & trail runners, especially on busy weekends. There are many rock drops, tight switchbacks, and plenty of extreme exposure. A seriously fun trail with equally serious consequences. Definitely take it easy your first time. Sunset Ridge is a fantastic trail with great views and many challenges.
Access Info
You can access Sunset via Chaney Trail and climbing up the paved fire road. It's a steep climb up the paved road and Sunset starts from the left of the road almost 2.5 miles from the locked gate.
You can also get to Sunset by climbing up the Lower Sam Merrill trail at the top of Lake Ave. This trail is heavily switchbacked and very, very popular with hikers. If you go this route, you hang a left at the top on the connector trail and climb up to the paved fire road. From there descend maybe 50 yards and Sunset Ridge will be on your right hand side.
Trail Supporters
USFSLand Manager
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.
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 8 rides
- 10 miles average
6 Months
- 89 rides
- 11 miles avg distance
All
- 532 rides
- Last: Oct 7, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Sunset Ridge Trail Reports
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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 users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 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
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
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- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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- popular
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Activity Recordings
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
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BC Backroad Status
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Directions to sunset-ridge trailhead
(34.217740, -118.126950)
Photos
33 more »
Routes with this trail
★ 5.0 • 8 miles • 691 ft • 7 • Shuttled •
Shuttle run from top of Mt. Lowe East to the bottom of Sunset Ridge.
★ 5.0 • 13 miles • 1,514 ft • 12 • Shuttled •
This shuttle Route is one Variation of the so called Front side riding area in the Angeles National Forest.
★ 4.0 • 14 miles • 840 ft • 14 •
Mt.Wilson shuttle is one of Southern California's most challenging trails, so much fun!
20 Reviews & Comments
EmKer
Rode it today. Great condition , trail maintenance must have been done within past month.
Jasong33
Rode this today, very fun trail, A little overground, your shins and Elbows will brush up against tall grass weeds
Rapple
Dusty and a bit loose. Feels a bit more skinny in places. Watch the exposed sections.
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Nearby Trails
- Pentew 2,283 ft
- Lower Merrill 2,300 ft
- Castle Canyon Trail 2,536 ft
- Echo Mountain Trail 3,074 ft
- Old Echo Mountain Trail 4,265 ft
Angeles National Forest
- By betamax-bandit & contributors
- #20979 - 14,171 views
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