Merriam Mountains (Deer Springs)

[OldDogDan]

Okay, this post might be controversial because I'm suggesting a riding area where it technically constitutes trespassing. However, this area has historically been "open" for about thirty years. That's about how long I and many others have been motorcycling, 4WDing, rock climbing & mtn biking there unharassed (and others have been shooting, dumping trash & stolen cars, growing pot etc).

I'm talking about Merriam Mtns, aka Deer Springs or Twin Oaks (in North San Diego County). I know that some folks regularly MTB there from the park n ride at 1-15 & Deer Springs. I rode there today for the first time in a coupla years hoping to find some new singletrack. For the most part, there's a network of rutted 4WD roads (SD Aqueduct #2 access) and much steep up n down. I had a great time, even with several hike a bike sections, but, like Black Mtn, there's not much "flow" to be had. I saw 2 hikers, father & son quads, & 1 thumper today. Only one set of MTB tracks. Mostly dirt bike tracks. And mtn lion tracks. It's now hard & clearly illegal to get a 4WD in there with new gates blocking the roads (a good thing I think).

I always wanted it to be a park because of the beautiful boulders (now many are sadly graffiti'ed). So why tell people about it now? Because even tho there's strong local opposition, it will surely go under the developer's blade in 3 - 10 years (google Stonegate and Merriam). The developers promise habitat preservation, open space, & 18 miles of trails. But those things always come last, after the bulldozers, houses & profit.

But it is currently rugged & remote, and I've enjoyed it for years as I said. The views from the mtn tops are stupendous, from Catalina to San Gorgonio.

I did find some singletrack, including stuff in use I cut in the 80's & 90's for bouldering. The potential for creating great contoured singletrack is huge. Maybe they'll even keep some for the trail system and reclaim the steep fire roads.

I'd like others to enjoy it before it's gone. Maybe if enough see it there'll be more voices for good trails & access.

[northshore]

That's a pretty tough proposition. If the locals around that area already know there is illegal riding, dumping, and growing of "mary jane" I'm willing to bet that you plus any amount of MTB support will not over turn support for a large corporation to come in, build new residential and commercial property to run the bad out. Nothing against you or the post but "any" type of illegal riding on our behalf over time can have negative effects. Not just your area but any area for that matter. Looks like you are starting to see the beginning of it. Bummer....

[OldDogDan]

Thanks for responding, but actually that's not the case. The developers have no or very little local support. Check the news stories. The locals like having the area undeveloped, or at least developed only with the current large minimum lot size (min 4 acres I think). The developer is seeking an overall density 10 times greater. Locals are also very concerned about wildfire. Typically not a problem with mtn bikers. I think the pot growing and shooting are in the past, also not associated with mtn bikers. And I didn't propose "turning over" support. The developers pretty much always win. I proposed having fun riding while we can, and hoping some good trails might become part of the eventual trail system. This has actually happened in North County -- Black Mtn & La Costa for example. Unfortunately not Flightline, altho it's said some more "natural" (no ladders etc) trails may be re-opened in the future there.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Thanks for responding, but actually that's not the case. The developers have no or very little local support. Check the news stories. The locals like having the area undeveloped, or at least developed only with the current large minimum lot size (min 4 acres I think). The developer is seeking an overall density 10 times greater. Locals are also very concerned about wildfire. Typically not a problem with mtn bikers. I think the pot growing and shooting are in the past, also not associated with mtn bikers. And I didn't propose "turning over" support. The developers pretty much always win. I proposed having fun riding while we can, and hoping some good trails might become part of the eventual trail system. This has actually happened in North County -- Black Mtn & La Costa for example. Unfortunately not Flightline, altho it's said some more "natural" (no ladders etc) trails may be re-opened in the future there.

Yeah, that is the flip side of things. Some locals have probably lived there for years and enjoy the quiet isolation rather than the big corps coming in and taking over the land. Which ever direction is decided, I do hope like you that the trails would be preserved or developed additionally.

[Red Hot Sloth]

I ride out here occasionally. i hit it up back in late Nov or early december. Some of the trails have had a blade run across them for firebreak purposes. The day I rode there it was raining pretty good, and the conditions were still perfect ie: no rutting from tires, no clay. Its a heck of a workout. But OldDog Dan is right, there really isn't any flow to the riding out there. I use this area as one of my "rainy day" rides. Thanks for posting Dan.

[mr.hobbs]

I have a love/hate thing going with that place. I ride both pedal and moto bike there because it's close to home. When I lived in San Marcos, I would be up there at least twice a week after work. I've put in more hours than needs to be said "maintaining" single tracks up there. The trash in the area is a real bummer.
There is a cool downhill track some one built a few years ago. You ride a paved section that twists up from the Arco station all the way to the end and it drops off to the right.

[Red Hot Sloth]

I'd like to check that out. When i went there last, the singletrack stuff I was used to was bladed. But I have never taken the time to actually "explore" for more.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by mr.hobbs

I have a love/hate thing going with that place. I ride both pedal and moto bike there because it's close to home. When I lived in San Marcos, I would be up there at least twice a week after work. I've put in more hours than needs to be said "maintaining" single tracks up there. The trash in the area is a real bummer.
There is a cool downhill track some one built a few years ago. You ride a paved section that twists up from the Arco station all the way to the end and it drops off to the right.

I also have a love/hate deal going on with the place. Really good workout due to the steepness. There are a couple of hooting descents but man what a payback from just about any of them afterwards. The boulders are cool, but the trash is indeed really bad. For me that place is seasonal since it is such a freaking oven in the summer. Did you notice that the southend has seen some bulldozer work this past year?

[OldDogDan]

Originally Posted by MTBBill

Did you notice that the southend has seen some bulldozer work this past year?

Yeah, for one, there's a new short section bulldozed northward near where the roads from Sarver Lane and the Arco come together. A singletrack contoured north from there would be mighty fine...on the other hand, such a singletrack would go right into a very large piece of pretty undisturbed habitat. Maybe not a good idea, unless that's where they're developing anyhow...kinda looks that way, but their map's not very detailed.

http://www.merriammountains.com/map.htm

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Yeah, for one, there's a new short section bulldozed northward near where the roads from Sarver Lane and the Arco come together. A singletrack contoured north from there would be mighty fine...on the other hand, such a singletrack would go right into a very large piece of pretty undisturbed habitat. Maybe not a good idea, unless that's where they're developing anyhow...kinda looks that way, but their map's not very detailed.

http://www.merriammountains.com/map.htm

There is a bunch of education that needs to be done with developers and city goverments about what a "trail" is and is not. The San Ellijo Hills devleopment near San Marcos here in SD county had plans for many miles of trails. What we got was 15-20 wide dirt sidewalks that have a public interest factor of ZERO. If you can drive a 350Z on it, it is not a trail. My guess that "trails" will be much like San Ellijo Hills.