Anyone hike (bike) at Cleavenger/San Pascual?

[nick]

It is a nice trail out east of the Wild Animal Park off the 78. Just a couple of relatively steep miles to the peak at 1,700 feet or so. The trail gets so little use that it is almost constantly overgrown. Since the fire, a lot of vegitation has grown back.

My point in writing this is that this trail gets so little use that it is a real shame that it is technically not open to bikes (states this one the county website http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-rec...npasqual.shtml ), although I have ridden it and have talked to rangers in the parking lot who said nothing about the bikes.

I honestly didn't know that bikes were not allowed until someone told me this week since there is no signage. There is nothing posted AT ALL at the trailhead stating that bikes are not allowed. Seems to me that bikes would do this trail some good. If you read the description on the website, you'll see that it says it is in need of maintenance and that the north part of it is so overgrown that the trail is not even identifiable.

Seems such a shame that such a big area with a lot of potential for bikers is not being used.

[PacMan]

I drive past them every day going to and from work. I have never biked them but hiked out half a mile or so out the North trailhead (there's Clevenger North and Clevenger South). They could be done on a bike no problem, but as you stated, bikes aren't allowed. It is a shame too. It is a very rare occasion to see a car at either trailhead. Good trails going to waste.

I thought the lack of trailhead signage was weird too. It states on the SDRP website that those trails are closed to bikes and horses, but there is absolutely no signage stating this at the trailheads. The same with the Highland Valley Trail--open to hikers and horses only, but no signs saying no bikes.

So, if one were to ride these trails, how could the Rangers really enforce a no bike rule if there's no signs?? They can't assume everyone has been to the SDRP website and checked status first.

[nick]

Agreed, and given that their website essentially says that they have given up on maintaining the trails, It seems like it hardly matters who is out there using it. In the most recent fires, 2 small foot bridges within the first 1/8th mile of trail were burned out and haven't been fixed up, making a rather unsafe trail for anyone. Would be great to have another trail area in North County open to bikes and I'm sure the riders would be the first ones to take on any trail maintenance out there.

Indeed, it would be naive of SD County Parks to assume that everyone who goes out there has been online or read a book to know their rules on the trails out in the wilderness.

In case you are wondering what the trail is like, it is all singletrack, lots of switchbacks, tight, technical corners, throw in some chunky rock sections, small bumps (jumps), and some sweeping, flowy turns toward the bottom. Oh yeah, and a big old 15 foot tall peice of rock to rest on at the very top, that sure would make for a really good steep roller with its nice rock tranny at the bottom. If you haven't been out there, go check the trails out for yourself, and while you're at it, remove some overgrowth along the way!