Lovely Sunday Run in the Altadena Foothills

Altadena Crest Trail to Sunset Ridge Trail, Millard Campground and Brown Mountain Fire Road/Truck Trail (Angeles National Forest)

View from Sunset Ridge Trail

In a Nutshell

This is a great run because there are numerous options to make it longer or shorter, depending on what you’re looking for on a particular day. It’s tough, with some sections exceeding an 8% grade. It’s never crowded and has some nice views in the higher elevations.

• Trail surface: soft packed dirt, some sandy sections, tiny bit of pavement.
• Bathrooms/water: Bathrooms at Millard Campground. No water.
• Dogs: Must be leashed.

My Route

I did an out and back run, about 7 miles roundtrip, starting at the Loma Alta Trailhead and Staging Area.

 

From the trailhead, I took the Altadena Crest Trail from the north end of the parking area. After about a quarter mile, the trail splits and I took the trail to the right. There is a white and black sign that says Altadena Crest Trail at the trail split. The next time the trail splits, there are no signs, but I stayed to the right again. The trail splits once more before reaching the crossing with Cheney Trail Road. Here, I stayed left. When I got to the road, I could easily see the trail continuing directly across the road. There’s a large log/water bar and it’s pretty steep here. I then followed the trail as it snakes its way up the hill, until topping out at another paved road (Mt Lowe Road). I ran on the pavement for about 20 yards to the Sunset Ridge Trail, which goes downhill from the intersection with Mt Lowe Road. The trail is not marked here, but there is a small kiosk with a map. From here, the Sunset Ridge Trail is rolling, mostly downhill all the way to Millard Campground (Angeles National Forest). At Millard Campground, I turned right, went past the bathrooms, and followed the dirt/sort of paved road over a stream crossing and uphill onto Brown Mountain Truck Trail (also called Brown Mountain Fire Road). I stayed on this until the intersection with El Prieto Canyon Trail. There, I turned around and went back the same way. You could easily extend this run by heading down El Prieto Canyon or continuing on Brown Mountain Road. I’ll try to post maps for those options in the future.

Stream Crossing along Brown Mt Road

If You Go

A few notes of caution – this is a shared trail, so do yield to mountain bikers and horses. Also, there’s a bit of poison oak along the trail. It’s pretty easy to avoid, but keep your eyes peeled for it. Last thing – although I’ve never seen one here, I imagine there are rattlesnakes, so it’s good to just be aware. If you hear a rattling sound, give it a wide berth.