San Dieguito River Trail

San Dieguito River Trail Map

Starting at the Mule Hill Trailhead (near Chevron Station on Sunset Dr. by Lake Hodges) this trail goes all the way past the Wild Animal Park to the Highway 78 Trailhead. Definitely a MTB route, starting out with flat riding on wide bike roads and ending with a nice single trak through grasslands. Mid-way there are a few steep twisty climbs between boulders up to Raptor Ridge, where you get super views of the entire San Pasqual Valley. This makes an nice out and back of just over 20 miles

 Also, this looks to be a great starting place for a longer 85 mile out and back RUSA Permanent route to Lake Henshaw for MTB's!

Colorful San Dieguito River Trail Video

Here are the Trail Specs from the Coast To Crest Trail Guide:

Trailhead location: San Pasqual Valley, East of I-15.
Directions to Trail: Sunset Drive Trailhead: North on I-15, exit Via Rancho Parkway, go east. Take a right at Sunset Drive (first light) and drive to trailhead parking lot at the cul de sac or park along the street.
Use: Hiking, Mountain Biking, or Horseback riding only.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium 
Length: 10 miles one-way.
Vertical Climb: 324’ low elevation to 760’ high elevation (the trail is generally flat, with one steep section that increases 400’ elevation in 3400 foot distance.)

Features: Historical resources; Proximity to agriculture; Pastoral views


-randorides