RR: Del Dios Highlands County Preserve

[SKULLY]

Had today off (Friday 12/28/07) and decided to make my first ascent of the new Del Dios Highlands County Preserve trail that goes from Del Dios Hwy up to Mt. Israel or Elfin Forest. I have ridden down this fire road a few times (probably 14-15 years ago) after climbing up from the Elfin Forest side. Back then it was a sketchy, rutted, not heavily traveled fire road so I really wanted to see what had been done. We started out on Sunset Drive (behind the Chevron station) and
rode out the Lake Hodges fire road to the main road to
the docks and out to the front gate. Then we rode up
Lake Dr on the pavement to the new trail head. The climb was steep from the get and did not let up. Towards the top it gets even steeper but rideable if you can get some good lines over the numerous waterbars. The view of the switch backs coming up from the Elfin Forest trail head is perfect. We did a loop up on Mt Israel and then descended back down to the lake and back to the trail head. I didn't catch the milage, I would guess upper teens to low twentys. It was a perfect day and a good ride. If I were going to just ride Mt Israel I would perfer to ride up from Elfin Forest and hit the switch backs......a little bit more
entertaining then the long fire road up from Del Dios
Hwy. Every time I ride Mt Israel I can't believe that I
don't get up there more. I think it is some of
the best somewhat tech stuff that is close by. The climb is a b!tch but the trails are worth it.

[SKULLY]

Here is one other pic from down by the lake where some homes were lost in the fire. It's of a pile of hazardous materials pulled out of some of the homes....check out the one propane tank that exploded....crazy.

[bjammin]

Hey Skully, thanks for the RR. I'll be at Elfin to day and will check it out. With some hidden trail networks I'll be putting together a La Costa-Elfin-Hodges ride that shouldn't disappoint.

[SKULLY]

Originally Posted by bjammin

Hey Skully, thanks for the RR. I'll be at Elfin to day and will check it out. With some hidden trail networks I'll be putting together a La Costa-Elfin-Hodges ride that shouldn't disappoint.

This new fire road definitely opens some different opportunities to link trails together and get in some bigger rides. I was thinking about starting out at the
trailhead out on Hwy 78 at the bottom of the Ramona
grade (when the trail opens back up) riding out the valley to the lake, up to Mt Miserable, down the switch
backs to the parking lot at Elfin Forest, taking a break and riding back. If you were to throw in La Costa it would be a true sufferfest starting from either side.

[el_d00der1n0]

Now we can shuttle Elfin!!!!