2.2 miles
Distance
112 ft
Climb
-1,354 ft
Descent
00:16:05
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Sunset Ridge Trail

  • USFS
    Land Manager

Sunset Ridge 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
    DH, AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Skinny
  • Global Ranking
    #2478 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #16208 in Trail Running
    • #6250 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    100 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 95 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking

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.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Sunset Ridge mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,241 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,189 ft
  • Altitude max
    3,433 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,433 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,192 ft
  • Grade
    -10.6%
  • Grade max
    -63.6%
  • Grade min
    23.3%
  • Distance climb
    2,047 ft
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    259 ft
  • Avg time
    00:16:05
  • Avg reverse time
    01:00:40
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Nov 30, 2024
Dry
Avg: 4.53 (37 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
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
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  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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Radar Time
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  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
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      Directions to sunset-ridge trailhead (34.217740, -118.126950)
      update trails status or condition

      Sunset Ridge Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Nov 30, 2024 @ 8:34am
      Nov 30, 2024
      Mar 19, 2024 @ 2:04am
      Mar 19, 2024
      Jan 29, 2024 @ 1:23am
      Jan 29, 2024
      		 Nice conditions with some remaining damp hero dirt. Few hikers for a Monday but trail ran well.
      Dec 22, 2023 @ 6:22am
      Dec 22, 2023
      		 Some ruts from recent rains
      Nov 23, 2023 @ 11:46am
      Nov 23, 2023
      		 As good as it gets right now.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 50 rides
      • 12 miles avg distance
      All
      • 367 rides
      • Last: Jan 6, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      275 |
      Dec 11, 2021 @ 5:43pm
      Dec 11, 2021
      247 |
      May 30, 2021 @ 8:11pm
      May 30, 2021
      266 |
      Jul 4, 2020 @ 6:03pm
      Jul 4, 2020
      324 |
      Jan 2, 2020 @ 3:54am
      Jan 2, 2020

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Eaton Saddle Shuttle8 miles
      Mt Lowe, Sam Merril, sunset, EP13 miles
      Mt. Wilson shuttle14 miles
      Fern - Sunset - El Prieto14 miles

      16 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber I've Never Ridden Anything Like This
      12:44 | 365 | Apr 1, 2023 , Pasadena
      youtuber Sunset Ridge Trail - Mt. Wilson - Altadena, CA
      12:48 | 995 | Oct 7, 2018 , Pasadena
      Sunset Ridge / Pasadena, CA / MTB
      10:45 | 103 | Aug 8, 2024 , Pasadena
      Sunset Ridge Trail mountain biking 2nd run 1 1 21
      3:14 | 102 | Sep 26, 2023 , Pasadena

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