Sunset Ridge Saddle Loop is a 7.1 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Altadena, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from October until May. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
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February 27, 2022First time, went clockwise mostly against foot traffic. Lots of mountain bikers! Good workout. Lots of crews maintaining the trail.
January 10, 2022Challenging but extremely enjoyable hike! Would do again
December 18, 2021The hike was just okay. I went counter clockwise so up the rocky trail and down the fire road. Definitely not the most exciting trail. Much better for mountain biking.
December 16, 2021Going clockwise up the hill was quite a task! The second half was all downhill on tarmac and was much easier(unless you have knee problem), but at the same time, boring! And if you are still up for it, then go further to Dawn Mine, and make this a counter clockwise Dawn Mine and Sunset Trail Loop!
October 9, 2021I followed the route for directions, but was at the wrong elevation! I ended up climbing mt.lowe on accident! it was a very rewarding hike with gorgeous views and sunset trail was a nice challenge for my fear of hikes, but I saw 0 mines! To avoid my mistake, if you see a sign that says trail one way and "private" another way, you're doing good! if you see signs telling you about a railway, you need to go back to the start . regardless of where you go, one or two bottles of water, a snack, and a lunch should be enough. I recommend hiking poles because there are some areas where slipping off the mountain is a possibility. I saw people going it with their kids though so don't be too alarmed. great transition for beginners from shorter 1-3 mile hikes to longer ones!
October 3, 2021I did this clockwise mid-day yesterday so my uphill was the dirt trail then came down fire road. I didn’t see a waterfall but we are in a drought. I did watch a helicopter in the peak above lower someone circle around then bring up two people possibly. Hope they are ok!! My goal is to get to The White City next time.
August 21, 2021Lots of pavement. Lots of climb single track back down.
August 7, 2021Great hike! Went counterclockwise up the fire road. Steady uphill hike with shade. Downhill on the dirt trial is narrow in some parts but also has shade. Look out for people on bikes coming down hill. The ones I encountered this morning all had bells, so I heard them coming up behind me. Parking in limited. I arrived at 7:30am and the lot was full, but there was plenty of spots on the side of the road.
July 29, 2021I hiked the loop counter clockwise. it was a very hot and humid morning. I'd never hiked the fire road... Now that I have, I don't think I will again. I prefer dirt trails.
July 7, 2021Hiked on 7/7/21 at 7am. We went counterclockwise (up the fire road and back down the rocky trail) and it was fine! We followed the map exactly, but didn’t see any waterfall; I think that may be a mistake in the description of this trail.
June 23, 2021Great hike. My small dog and I went on this hike. Love the view. I’ll be back to hike Dawn Mine which is on the way. I started at 8am and it got hot early but doable when going clockwise do complete the hike loop. There’s shade that helps along the way. When coming back down the mountain on the paved road there’s not much shade so make sure you have sunscreen and plenty of water.
June 23, 2021Great hike with great views. Took my dog Max on this one and we had fun. I would love to do this hike at night to see all the lights from the city.
June 21, 2021So hot out there, bring a couple litres of water.
May 21, 2021Taking the direction of going up the gravel path first is a difficult hike. It’s well worth it, just don’t do a leg workout the day before lol. Really great time. About 2 hours and 20 minutes. There were quite a few mountain bikers too. Many have Bells so you have a warning but some do not so just keep your head on swivel.
May 17, 2021Hiked 5/16/2021. It was a misty day so there weren’t a ton of people on the trail and it was beautiful! Highly recommend going clockwise as mentioned by other reviewers so you can enjoy the canyons and tree-lined trail during the first half. Coming down is a fire road lined with pretty yellow flowers right now.
May 7, 2021Awesome trail, definitely go clockwise for beautiful views and come down the fireroad! The trail going up will be narrow and rocky in various spots so be careful, definitely keep an eye/ear out for bikes coming down ( I saw maybe 2). Wouldn't recommend bringing your kids up here, take them down to Millard instead :)
April 29, 2021Started at 8 and the small lot was full. Clear and hot. Climbed the fire road counterclockwise in the morning and came down on the canyon side. Only a few people on a Thursday.
April 24, 2021Thought what everyone else had to say is true: parking in scarce, I would recommend a clockwise loop, and the scenery is lovely!
April 17, 2021Hot and loose. Lots of mountain bikers. Great views of Millard Canyon. Next time will combine with Dawn Mine.
April 12, 2021This loop features a dirt/gravel single track and a paved fire road. Strong recommendation: hike clockwise. Two reasons: 1. The dirt trail is easier to climb than to descend. The trail is loose in many places, which makes it tougher to navigate going down. 2. Dirt trail is used by mountain bikers, including those that travel fast and don’t use bells or slow down for hikers. Seeing them head on gives you a fighting chance of jumping out of the way. Stay hyper vigilant! Dirt trail is mostly shaded. In spring, the chaparral blooms and those blue flowers create arbors that you walk underneath. Nice views of the canyon during this section of the hike. Exactly at the halfway point, you’ll exit the trail and descend via the paved fire road. This section is totally exposed to the sun, so come prepared for it! I’d recommend at least 2L of water.
April 4, 2021Great hike! Definitely go clockwise! Went at 9:30am on Easter Sunday had the trail basically to myself. The parking spots were all taken but parked along the road and didn’t see any tickets when i got back even though it says no parking anytime. The dirt path was well shaded with a few sun spots on the way up. It does get pretty narrow in some spots. Watch out for the mountain bikers had to hug the side a couple times. They were all nice you could hear the bells and each group let me know how many of them there were. Couldn’t imagine going up the fire road in direct sun the whole time! Very nice views coming down the fire road.
April 2, 2021Didn’t have time to do the whole thing so cut it in half by scooting down to the paved road from the second set of switchbacks. There are lots of pretty blue flowers in bloom on the bushes right now! Enjoyed the pace of the incline.
March 28, 2021Great exercise! Be careful of mountain bikers coming down though
March 28, 2021Beautiful Sunset! Good elevation! Actually 5 miles
March 24, 2021We went counterclockwise and found it to be moderate with a steady inclune at the beginning with the scrambly part on the tail end going back down. Had we gone the opposite it would have been a difficult start. Relatively lightly trafficked, better in the early morning (afternoon would have been a little intense with the angle of the sun). Ran into a few bikers when the trail was skinny but we did okay!
