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An awesome loop through Sunset Ridge then down the canyon by Dawn Mine.


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Map Key

5.9

Miles

9.5

KM

77%

Runnable

3,582' 1,092 m

High

2,100' 640 m

Low

1,527' 465 m

Up

1,527' 465 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

Overview

This is a great run along the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50 and back down along a creek for a loop.

Need to Know

Dawn Mine Trail and Millard Canyon Trail are not recommended for bicycles. There is limited parking along Chaney Trail (road). Be careful to follow parking restrictions along the road. Stream levels can be high after rains.

Runner Notes

Be careful on the higher area of the Dawn Mine Trail as it's a steep drop.

Description

Start at the small parking lot at the top of Chaney Trail (road), heading up the Mt. Lowe Road #2N50. Turn left onto Sunset Ridge Trail 12W18 at 0.3 miles (not the first turnoff that goes down towards the lower parking lot). This trail is very narrow singletrack with a few exposed sections. Keep an eye open for poison oak in the spring and summer when the trail can be a bit overgrown. There is not much shade, and there are several winding switchbacks that lead you through the trees.

Follow this all the way up (keep right at the intersection with the Millard Canyon Trail) until it ends at Mt. Lowe Road #2N50. Continue up the road another 0.3 miles until you see the Dawn Mine Trail 12W13 on a wide turnout. This steep trail takes you down to Millard Canyon where there is a junction with the Millard Canyon Trail. Turn left and in 50 ft. there is a spur trail on the right leading down to Dawn Mine. After visiting the mine (metal grid bars entry) return back to the Millard Canyon Trail and continue west down the canyon crossing back and forth over the stream. It ends at a junction with the Sunset Ridge Trail 12W18 which can be followed back to the parking area.

Flora & Fauna

Oaks, bigcone spruce provide shade on north facing slopes. There are alders, maples and bay trees in the canyon bottom. Good wildflowers in spring along the Sunset Ridge Trail 12W18.

History & Background

Dawn Mine was one of the larger gold mines in the San Gabriel Mountains front range but it was not very profitable.

Contacts

Shared By:

Cary Stacy

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 30 votes

#1

in Arroyo Seco

#383

Overall
  4.6 from 30 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Arroyo Seco

#60

in California

#383

Overall
36 Views Last Month
8,393 Since May 13, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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42%
23%
35%
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Photos

The last leg of the Chaney Trail.
Mar 13, 2019 near Altadena, CA
On the way to Dawn Mine
Apr 22, 2019 near Altadena, CA
Old mining engine that once delivered gold from Dawn mine
Apr 22, 2019 near Altadena, CA
Rock-Hopping terrain in  Millard Canyon
Apr 22, 2019 near Altadena, CA
Junction of the scenic cog-rail link between the Mt. Lowe ruins and the fire road.
May 11, 2015 near Altadena, CA
Clear views of Palos Verdes and Catalina Island
Dec 27, 2018 near Altadena, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 65 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 13, 2022
Leonie Schönbeck
Jun 1, 2019
Sam Albert
Dec 22, 2018
Kyle Feig
Great run. Beautiful and quiet. Few people except near junctions. Very technical downhill and steep uphill. Challenging. Can’t wait to do it again. 8.2mi
Oct 28, 2018
Jacobo Vizcarra
Jul 2, 2017
Joshua Schlag
That climb sure is something! No joke about the start of Dawn Mine Trail - it's steep / narrow / loose dirt. Amazing finish along the creek. 5.9mi — 1h 32m
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