Sunset Ridge Trail

Introduction

There isn’t a specific place to post trails on the SummitPost format, so I submit this page on the Sunset Ridge Trail in the front range of Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains as a custom object.

Overview: A Trail Short and Sweet

The Sunset Ridge Trail is only about 2.5 miles in length, but affords great beauty at a very accessible range from the metropolis below. The trail starts out contouring the Sunset Ridge above Millard Canyon and, near the canyon bottom, begins an ascent to the top of Sunset Ridge and there connects with the Sunset Ridge-Mt. Lowe Fire Road. This fire road winds its way through the front range in a generally northeasterly direction for about 9 miles ending at Eaton Saddle near San Gabriel Peak. But our focus here is on the Sunset Trail.

Hiking the Trail

From the fire road gate at the Sunset Ridge Trailhead above Altadena, begin hiking up the Sunset Ridge-Mt. Lowe Fire Road. Within 100 yards you will come to the point where the Altadena Crest Trail crosses the fire road. A marked sign to your left points to the ½ mile descent on the Altadena Crest Trail into Millard Campground. If you go right on the Altadena Crest Trail, it will take you down into Altadena.

You will come to the start of the Sunset Ridge Trail off to your left about 400 yards further along the fire road. It is marked by a sign. Get off the fire road onto the trail and you begin contouring the ridge above Millard Canyon, which canyon stays on your left. This part of the trail is all traverse. Usually you can hear the pleasant rush of the creek running along the canyon floor. When there is lots of water, you can enjoy quite a symphony of sound from the 50 foot Millard Canyon Falls below you.

About ½ mile from the start of the trail, you will come to a junction. To your left is the creek which winds down the canyon. A popular destination following the creek upstream is Dawn Mine, where gold was once mined. The Sunset Trail, however, continues to the right (it is marked here as well), but now it begins to climb out of the canyon. In about 1 mile of ascent, you arrive at Sierra Saddle/Sierra Camp. From here, you can see the fire road just below you. There are great views looking north from this saddle.


The destinations on the next part of the trail are posted on a wood sign. Continue ascending. Millard Canyon is a constant companion on your left. After you’ve gone nearly another mile, a rock outcrop marking the site known as the Cape of Good Hope can be seen above. The Cape of Good Hope marks a point where the Mt. Lowe Scenic Railway, which operated between 1893 and 1936, rounded a point above Millard Canyon.

The trail ends after 2.5 miles total by connecting once again with the fire road. Of course, you could continue hiking to numerous other places in the front range.

Other Destinations

Up the fire road about 100 yards on your right is the beginning of the Echo Mountain Trail. This ½ mile stretch of trail takes you to Echo Mountain (3,207'). Echo Mountain was once the site of an upscale resort operating in conjunction with the Mt. Lowe Railway. The railway ran through the resort on its way further up the mountain to Ye Alpine Tavern on the slope of Mt. Lowe.

If you continue on the fire road past the Echo Mountain Trail junction, you will quickly arrive at the Cape of Good Hope. From here, you get awesome views looking down the length of Millard Canyon.
A multitude of other trails to interesting destinations in the San Gabriel front range come off of the fire road as it winds its way to its terminus at Eaton Saddle near San Gabriel Peak. The fire road is a favorite with mountain bikers.

Final Words

The Sunset Ridge Trail up and down is a 5-mile roundtrip from the trailhead. It is a favorite running trail of mine. But hiking or running, you can’t do better than this trail when you only have a couple of hours for an outing and want a trailhead that is very close by if you live in the San Gabriel Valley.

Getting There

From the 210 Freeway exit at Fair Oaks Ave. and take Fair Oaks north toward the mountains. At Loma Alta Drive, turn left and proceed about ½ mile to Chaney Trail Drive. The intersection is marked by a flashing yellow traffic signal. Turn right onto Chaney Trail Drive and ascend to Sunset ridge where you will come to a junction. Going to the left takes you down to Millard Canyon Campground. Instead, look immediately to your right and you will see a white fire road gate and some very limited parking spaces along the road in front of the gate. If there is no parking here, start back down Chaney Trail Drive and you will find lots of parking along the road.

Walk to and past the fire road gate and you are on your way.

Red Tape

You will need an Adventure Pass to park your vehicle at this trailhead. There have only been rare occasions when Adventure Passes ($5 per day or $30 for a yearly pass) were sold at this trailhead. It is best to purchase one beforehand. They are sold at most sporting goods stores.

No permit is required to hike the Sunset Ridge Trail nor for any of the trails that lead off of the Mt. Lowe-Sunset Ridge Fire Road.

When to Hike

The Sunset Ridge Trail can be hiked year round. Because of its low elevation, the trail normally does not get snow, even in winter. The Sunset Ridge trailhead is also accessible year round. However, be advised that access by vehicle to Chaney Trail Drive leading to the trailhead is only allowed, according to a warning sign, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.

Other Information

There are no water sources on the Sunset Trail. However, it is shaded most of its length.

USGS Topos Pasadena 7.5; Mt. Wilson 7.5

External Links

Angeles National Forest

Images

View Sunset Ridge Trail Image Gallery - 15 Images