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Gabrielino Trail: JPL to the USFS Dam

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (90)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Los Angeles
  4. Altadena
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“An easy trail following the Arroyo. ”

Chris W
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Map Key

8.8

Miles

14.1

KM

75%

Singletrack

1,689' 515 m

High

1,156' 352 m

Low

577' 176 m

Up

578' 176 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

90% of this ride is inside the Angeles National Forest, which prohibits eMTB usage on all trails except mapped OHV routes.

Overview

An easy out and back ride up the Arroyo from the JPL parking lot. This is a good beginner ride.

Need to Know

This trail is very popular with hikers, campers, and equestrians. Observe trail etiquette (yield to hikers, stop for equestrians) and use a bell.

There are several stream crossings, all usually rideable.

Description

Park at the Windsor Lot overlooking Hahamonga Watershed Park and the Jet Propulsion Lab. Head north past the Fire Danger sign and along the paved access road. Follow signs for the Gabrielino, staying to the left. This trail meanders up the Arroyo past the Gould Mesa Campground and a couple of picnic areas. This section of the Gabrielino Trail (NRT) is considered easy compared to other routes and trails in the area because it is relatively flat, the trail stays fairly wide, and there is little height exposure. There are a few sandy spots and some short rocky sections.

At the Paul Little picnic area, the Gabrielino Trail (NRT) splits off to the right and climbs the canyon wall in a series of steep, exposed switchbacks, eventually proceeding above the USFS debris dam and further up the Arroyo Seco towards the bottom of Ken Burton Trail. For this ride, stay to the left and eventually you'll come to the base of an old debris dam with a steady waterfall flowing down.

When you're ready, turn around and head back out the way you came.

This trail gets good protection from the sun due to the steep canyon walls on both sides of the trail. Some trees also provide shade in the middle of the day.

History & Background

You'll see several cabin foundations that date back to the early 20th century.

Contacts

Local Club: Mount Wilson Bicycling Association

Land Manager: USFS - Angeles National Forest Office

Shared By:

Chris W with improvements by Payton J and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 90 votes

#2

in Altadena

#137

Overall
  4.2 from 90 votes
5 Star
46%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Altadena

#19

in California

#137

Overall
252 Views Last Month
44,238 Since Apr 23, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Lots of stream crossings on the way up Gabrielino Trail. It's a challenge not to fall in at least once!
Jan 11, 2015 near La Caña…, CA
Looking over the valley towards lower Gabrelino Trail from Upper Gabrelino.
Dec 29, 2021 near La Caña…, CA
Splash through this water crossing at one of the spillways.
Mar 16, 2017 near La Caña…, CA
One of the many fun creek / river crossings
Feb 9, 2016 near La Caña…, CA
Cruising north on a winter afternoon.
Jan 17, 2017 near La Caña…, CA
When it rains.....
Sep 14, 2016 near La Caña…, CA

15 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 54 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 18, 2024
Jax Pearce
Aug 12, 2023
Taylor Zann
Jul 6, 2023
A V
Jul 28, 2022
Jorgie Aguilar
May 22, 2022
Cristian Esquivel
May 21, 2022
Cristian Esquivel
Jan 30, 2022
Alex Gilroy
stream crossings are very high right now, avoid unless you want to get your feet wet.
Sep 5, 2021
Буянбат Өлзийхүү

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