South County San Diego: Cowles Mountain, 5:30 Thursday 8/23

[Evil Chocula]

Hey- I'll be riding here after work if any one wants to join. The ride up is a haul, and I hike a bike a good portion of it, but the DH is fuuuunnn! FYI, I rode here two weeks ago for the first time, without elbow pads, and I though I broke my arm! My loop will be a more like 4 miles. I'll post directions later, it's part of Misson Trails.

Here's the ride description from SDMBA.com:
[SIZE=1]Mileage: 5.5 mile round trip (8.5 with optional trail)
This ride will test your uphill climbing skills as well as your downhill chops. This is NOT a trail for beginners or those out of shape. The ascension includes 77 waterbars you'll have to jump/ride over, as well as 2 small rock gardens and 1200 feet elevation gain. The descent is also loaded with waterbars, a few rock gardens and one nice stair step section. Lots of switchbacks, so you have to watch your speed. WARNING - you can do serious damage to yourself and your bike on this trail if you don't have the chops. This is probably the closest you can get to riding a Nobel Canyon style trail without going to Nobel Canyon.
There are hikers that use this trail as well, and most of them are cool with bikers, but watch out for the ocassional overly-friendly dog. Ride it at sunrise and you''ll probably have the whole single track section to yourself. 75% of the trail is single track, but the upper portion is on the fire road mentioned in the other Cowles Mtn. review. Make it to the summit of Cowles, and give yourself a pat on the back. Clean the whole thing without any dabs, and you''ll be among the select few.
If you have more time and energy, check out the Pyles Peak trail option. 3 miles out-n-back and challenging. The Pyles Peak trailhead begins on the fire road just a hundred feet west of the summit marker. A sign on the left turns you down some steps.
When ready, head back down the way you came up. Be carefully. The road is slippery and hikers are everywhere. If you have a bell please use it. Return to the singletrack trails you came up on. Plenty of drops and tight switchbacks will have you whooing or cursing on the way down. Watch out of hikers! Return via Big Rock Trail. Plenty of stairs and drops keep it interesting right to the end.
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PS I'll be in no rush riding down this, if you want to brush up on your technical skills, or think you'll need to walk down some stuff. However, the above trail descriptions absolves me of any responsiblity!

[Evil Chocula]

This ride's been moved to Sycamore Canyon, a few exits passed Cowles on the 52. Shoot me a PM for directions.