Caltech
Alpine Club

Get stoked for mountain biking in southern California right in the nearby San Bernardino Mountains!! (and lots of other places close by)!

There are many trails for beginners and those who want to learn and there are also a multitude of world class downhill trails that the experienced rider will find exciting and challenging (some just a 20 minute drive from campus, or a ~45 min pedal!). Mountain biking in southern California is all about steep climbs (some with fun techy stuff!) that lead to epic downhills. However, there are many mellower trails that everyone can enjoy a nice cruise on and many have techy offshoots (drops, jumps, chutes, etc.) that keep things interesting. Who doesn't think riding on two wheels is one of the best ways to spend time in the great outdoors?

The mountain biking community in the Pasadena area is welcoming and stoked! There are always lots of riders out on the trails and the local bike shops are staffed with super friendly cyclists happy to share tips and are love Caltech students (discounts!). There are lots of opportunities for trail maintenance days and volunteer opportunities through the Mt. Wilson Bike Association (MWBA, https://mwba.org/) that make it easy to meet other cyclists and give back to the mountain biking community. The MWBA also has lots of meetups for rides, socials, and shenanigans throughout the year (when not in COVID-19).

Need more trail ideas? Try out MTB Project and TrailForks apps or email ascott@caltech.edu.

Group rides will be organized after COVID restrictions are lifted.

Lower and Upper Gabrielino Trail
Beginner to intermediate. Cruisy trail with some optional techy stuff and more advanced offshoot options.
Exposed Section on Middle Gab
Tight Trail on Upper Gab
Some fun stuff on the side-Lower Gabrielino
Fun Extra on the Side of Lower Gab
Cruisy Part of Lower Gab
Cruisy Section on the Lower Gab
Lower Sam Merrill Climb to Sunset Ridge Downhill
Advanced. Very challenging steep and techy climb with techy exposed downhill.
Techy Spot on Lower Sam Merrill
Techy Spot on Lower Sam Merrill
Looking Back on Lower Sam Merrill Climb
Looking Back on Lower Sam Merrill Climb
Sunset Ridge Trail
Sunset Ridge Trail Singletrack
Brown Mountain to El Prieto
Intermediate to advanced. Fairly strenuous climb and fun techy downhill.
Climb up Brown Mountain
Section of Climb up Brown Mountain
Techy Part
Steep Tech down El P
Under a Tree
Under a Tree on El Prieto
Brown Mountain Bonus to Sam Merrill
Intermediate to advanced. Mellow climb up to Ken Burton Saddle followed by steep, loose descent with switchbacks.
Looking back
Looking Back at the Climb from the Saddle
Top
Beginning of Descent on Ken Burton
Looking over
View from afar of Ken Burton Descent