Arroyo Seco Trail

The Arroyo Seco Trail is located in the foothills of Pasadena near the JPL complex.  As you approach the parking lot on the corner of Windsor Ave and Ventura Street, you will encounter a variety of bikers, joggers and sight seekers near the trail head.   What I found is  the local people have a great place to enjoy the outdoors since this trail offers something for everyone.    The first mile or two is fire road as it winds through a densely forested canyon until you come to a river.    Now this isn't no stream crossing you can ride your bike through, but instead a rocky river bed where you have to pick up the bike to cross it.   And there isn't just one crossing but several, so it can get frustrating after a while.   During the winter rains, I would suggest avoiding this part of trail all together.  But  there is plenty of trail before reaching the river, so if you are on a bike this may be a good place to turn around.

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This is the first section of the trail.  Nice wide open fire road which makes for a good romp through the forest.

Some interesting cacti along the trail.

The scenery makes it well worth it.

There are some short sections of fun single track.

A shot looking down into the canyon  from where you came from.  This was my turn around point.   You can continue up a single track for a few more miles up to Camp Switzer, but better to start from the camp and come down with a car at the bottom.

So In conclusion,  the Arroyo Seco Trail makes a good up and back but if long stretches of single track are what your after, then  you will have to look elsewhere.  If the drive here isn't too far,  then I strongly suggest spending a cool morning and exploring this beautiful area yourself while getting some much needed exercise.