Near El Prieto
Top of El Prieto Trail before you start hiking the saddle
Near El Prieto
One of the many reasons I love running and hiking up Brown Mountain Road is the view of my neighborhood.
Near El Prieto
Looking down El Prieto Canyon from Brown Mountain Trail.
Near El Prieto
Looking up towards Brown Mountain saddle, where Fern Truck Trail and Brown Mountain Trail split.
Near El Prieto
Intersection of El Prieto (right) and Fern Truck Trail (left).

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

El Prieto

3.7 (3 Ratings)
Steep, rocky climb on singletrack up to Brown Mountain fire road.
1.6
mi
Distance
738
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
River/CreekWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.64mi
Distance
738ft
Elevation Gain
30ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
2,007ft
High Point
1,299ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The trail is steep but definitely navigable throughout. Along the way up, you'll enjoy heavily wooded areas, and lots of stream crossings. The diversity in landscape features makes this route pretty nice overall. The trail is very popular with mountain bikers, so I prefer to go up it and make sure to share the trail. There are a few turn-offs that either exit the canyon early or meet back up with the same trail.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Gabrielino Loop

Hike Route

Gabrielino Loop

Views
strenuous
13.14 mi
+2,258 ft
Sunset Ridge/Tom Sloan Trail

Hike Route

Sunset Ridge/Tom Sloan Trail

Less Crowded
extreme
13.52 mi
+3,777 ft
El Prieto to Brown Mountain Loop

Hike Route

El Prieto to Brown Mountain Loop

Fall Colors
moderate
7.74 mi
+1,348 ft
Sunset Ridge to Dawn Mine Loop

Hike Route

Sunset Ridge to Dawn Mine Loop

Birding
moderate
5.5 mi
+1,684 ft
Chaney to Brown Mountain

Hike Route

Chaney to Brown Mountain

Views
extreme
13.14 mi
+5,631 ft
Bear Canyon Front Country Loop

Hike Route

Bear Canyon Front Country Loop

Views
extreme
22.05 mi
+5,310 ft
Contributors
Justin Jasper