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Directions
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Description
El Prieto has been hailed by many as one of the best singletrack rides in Los

Angeles. After hearing such accolades, I just had to check it out! And let me tell

you: they are not unfounded.



To start the ride, park at the lot and head past the upper yellow gate on the

paved road. After a couple of miles there will be a fork: head uphill, towards

Brown Mountain. Eventually the pavement will turn to dirt, and you’ll see the

bottom of the El Prieto trail off to your right. Eventually, this is what you’ll be

coming down, but instead of heading up Lower El Prieto bear left and continue

towards Brown Mountain. Despite the fact that it’s labeled as the “Brown

Mountain Road,” much of the climb is actually pretty killer singletrack, thanks to

the undergrowth having overtaken much of the old road bed.



After 3 or 4 miles of exposed climbing in direct sunlight you’ll reach a saddle and

the El Prieto trail will descend off to the right. Hop on that, and get ready to rip!

Upper El Prieto is swoopy, gnarly, and fast—hang on and rock it! It’s also still

exposed to the sun and similar to many of the other trails in the area, but be sure

to look for the Lower El Prieto trail taking off to the right.



Lower El Prieto is unlike any other trail that I’ve ridden in So Cal. It’s gnarly, and

mostly descends, but there are some smooth spots mixed in, some climbs thrown

in, a few well-shaped switchbacks—the singletrack is a really mixed bag. But what

really sets it apart is that El Prieto winds down through a canyon bottom,

following a small stream. As a result of the water flow, there is actually

vegetation: trees, green grasses (not dryed-out brown stalks), and many other

types of undergrowth. The trail actually crosses the small stream several times,

the cool spray of the water and the shade of the trees a refreshing relief from the

hot sun higher up the trail.



After some absolutely awesome rolling, twisting singletrack, the trail spits back

out onto the pavement—just go back the way you came, and after about 8.5

miles of some of the best riding So Cal has to offer, you’ll be back at your car!

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