Reviewed by: GaborH ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This section of Mission Trails has been burned by wildfire. I live right next to the park, so I have to look at burned moonscape each day. Not a good sight! Lot of work to do for SDMBA.COM to keep erosion under check. Park is closed to 11/17/2003. I just got off the trails after having a little talk with a newbie on a Jekyl. He thought it was neat to climb a trail and ride down the gorge (off the trail) as the crow flies. Not smart! He got in my face, telling me that I should not tell him where to ride. Well, I will not do that. But the rangers will. Not only that, but all bikers could be banned from the park. Sorry, but my friends and I put in far to much time for that to happen. So, I appeal to your common sense. Stay out till the park open. And when it does, stay on the trail!

Recommended Route:
Start from Belsara condos, right off Portobelo Dr., Do down Jackson to visitors center, summit Cowles ( all 187 water bars), enjos highes pint in San Diego city, cross grasslands, descent rocky shoot, climb Blood Hill (Only Six have), summit Mt. Fortuna and return. That is about 24 miles or 4-5hrs.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Elfin forest. It is not burned, but the price of admission is steep! Noble, but that got burned as well. If you do not have a good time at Mission Trails, then a) you are a down hill ZZZZZZZZ b) you do not belong on a bike c) stay on paved surfaces d) you have not given it a chance.

Reviewed by: Michael Zietlow , from San Diego, CA, USA

Summary:
I found this ride to be very entertaining, a great workout, but surprisingly short (5-7miles). Try and stick to the singe tracks whenever possible to extend your ride time. When you get to the picnic tables at the bottom of the wash and want to tack on an extra mile or two, head up the first east facing trail for some nice views of mission gorge, you may catch some rock climbers if you bring some binos. You'll be rewarded on your trip back into the valley with some technical downhills and some Yee-haws from your ride buddies.
Finally when you do start heading back up that NorthWest trail to your car/jeep, remember to hang a left after the 2 blue towers, head down the fire road, and take the first single track to your right. It cuts your uphill return in half and gives you some more technical challenges to overcome at the end of your ride.
Great ride! This trail has it all. PS. Watch for snakes in the spring sunning on a nice hot bolder and as in all wooded areas, Watch out for ticks if you deside to take a pit stop and feed a thirsty tree/bush.

Recommended Route:
I15 , Santo Rd. , East on Clairemont Mesa Blvd till it ends.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
San Clemente / Sycamore Canyon Both less the 5 miles away.

Reviewed by: dominique , from san diego

Summary:
this is a great trail to train on. All the elements of a good ride are present. single trails, technical sections, up/down hill rollercoaster.

Recommended Route:
take clairmont mesa blvd east the end off 15.make last right.then make 3rd left and park on top. this is the best way so you dont have that long climb at first.
start at the outhouse go east and take first trail to the left. take trail to the end. then make left up the hill, then right on top of the hill. stick to the right
then go downhill.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
noble