Lake Hodges - Is it worth riding these days?

San Diego STR,

Friend of mine was asking if would host a small group around N. Hodges sometime soon. He remembers the old days when everyone could ride to the dam and back. Maybe 14 mile round trip.

Lake Hodges hasn't been much of ride in the past couple years. I would always have to warm up ride Mule Hill and back then group up and head out. Half the time riding up Bernando peak if everyone is up for it. In January we tried to get ride out there but everything was closed off just about.

Could someone provide us some feedback if you've ridden out there lately. Is Mule Hill ok to ride these days? And how many miles can you roll out & back from the 15 not including Elfin Forrest.

Thanks!!

* IM4Ruckus *

 

It's not at all what it used to be: the fires burned everything out, so you can see "much further"; many trails are closed for repair, so your routes are more limited. Most of the "high road trail" out toward the lake is closed, so you take the low road/fire road for most of it. The trails are blocked just past Hernandez Hideaway, toward the dam, as of the last time I checked it out.

 

Might want to give this a read
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trail-talk/15721-flat-landers-smooth-festival.html

 

It is a fun quick ride. I went out there with Sniffer not too long. We did the loop in 10-15 mins. I wouldn't really think it is really worth an arranged ride. Kind of "hey I'm bored". It's too bad though because I heard good things in the past.

 

Last time I rode the South side (maybe 1 1/2 years ago), it was fun.

 

I've ridden out there several times in the last few weeks. For a beginner or non-hardcore intermediate, I think its absolutely worth riding.

You can ride from the freeway to Hernandez Hideaway, but not all the way to the dam. The distance of that ride without Bernardo Mountain climb is about 12 miles total (out and back).

Its not a destination ride for people from OC or anything, but even if you live in South Bay or East County I can see it being worth it to ride at least once. The views are beautiful, the scenery is nice, and there are some pretty simple rocky sections and stream crossings to make it worthwhile.

I personally don't think its boring or a flatfest. I see it as a fun, fairly simple local ride that is always enjoyable for me.

If you want more of my subjective ramblings on my recent rides there, you can check out these ride reviews I wrote up on my personal blog in the last two weeks:

North Hodges (to Hernandez Hideaway and back

North Hodges (with Bernardo Peak)

South Hodges (all open trails mapped and linked to google map)

 

Soon you'll be able to ride North and South Side of Lake Hodges once the bridge is constructed all the way ) I keep glancing at it as I drive along the 15.

Mule Hill? hmmmmmm

 

- warning -

 

Well, Lama, say your last words as you are about to get a serious cyber-beating....

 

Don't you think it's time to lay off?

 

I think his internal censor isn't working properly.

Toeing the line is fine - but ya can't just burn people that don't know you :?:

Besides, the shruggy face isn't even a smily face.. [-([-X

 

Llamma, enough is enough. Why don't you and I go for a ride and see what kind of smack talking you do then?
Yes... I'm calling you out on a public forum.

 

A lot of the fun sections are still closed, but the main drag is open.

As others have said, it's not what it used to be--and it was never anything that spectacular to begin with. Has it ever been a destination ride? Not to my knowledge. It is a pretty good place to take newbs and it's alright to hit if you haven't got a lot of time on your hands but still want to get a spin in.

Just look back at all of the rides that have been posted there. They were always listed as a quick spin and/or "easy" or "more social than anything else".

Is it worth it? Hard to say. It just depends on what you're looking for.

 

You mean it isn't the next Whistler?? I mean with all the pictures and the video you made Mark post.

 

Quoted just because it's worth re-iterating.

 

Yes, we all need a reminder