Review Date
December 3, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: stranger ,  Racer

Summary:
Okay, I've now climbed the trail up from the lot at Pine Valley, 8 miles from lot to Sunrise highway, not to bad. Up a steep paved road for about 7 miles, then trail for the the last mile up. Bad news: 8 miles up (power training); Good news: 11 miles down (fun, fun, and more fun). I rode on Sunday Dec 2nd after some rain the two days before and it was outstanding. At the top some of the trail was frozen, some snow on the ground, some mud, but the ride down was excellent. Went from probably 35 degree at the top to 65 degrees by the end. I'd hoped to make it down in 45 minutes but ended up at 55 minutes. Not a bad deal since the trip up only took an hour. If you plan to race Downieville in July, this is the perfect loop to train on, I've done it and Noble is nearly a perfect course for this.

Recommended Route:
Up paved road to the right out of the Noble Canyon parking area, ride up NC trail on second trail crossing over the pavement at the top. At top, turn around, take a breath, and jam down the hill ending up in the lot where you parked. Don't forget to buy the day pass, the cash you pay is well worth to ride and it helps maintain the trails.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mission Trails, top of North Fortuna, down towards the 52 freeway, left at the first intersect, through the valley to the visitors center. Nice local ride with climbs and downhill single track.

Review Date
November 23, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: stranger ,  Racer

Summary:
I rode Noble Canyon today, unfortunately starting at the top via shuttle due to my riding partner being a novice rider. I have ridden the trails in here before when I wasn't a racer and could ride the entire trail but today was an awesome ride, I was able to ride everything. Much, much, much single track, nice drops, tight bermed turns, jumps, it was the most fun I had since Toad's Wild Ride, Oat Mine trail in Calistoga, and the Downieville Classic. I'm in San Diego for another month and want to ride with some serious riders, starting from the bottom, going up, then bombing down. First I need to do some maintenance on my fork; the Fox RLC 32 suffered some extreme trama and began bleeding and my rear tube decided to blow out in the final rocky decent, what a rush.

Note: Skill level - I think I can make it from top to bottom in 45 minutes, not sure up but I figure maybe an hour.

Send me a message if you're interested in a great ride:

sadavids@hughes.net

Recommended Route:
Noble Canyon

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Not sure, but Mission Trails, over South Fortuna and down the back side was fun. Still looking.

Review Date
November 9, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: mtbnachos ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is THE most fun trail closest to San Diego County. It also is not a trail to bring a beginner. Noble Canyon has some serious technical descent. If you're not careful you could drop off at 20-25 foot cliffs! Watch out! It's a DH dream but a little more challenge for XC guys especially if your fork has 100mm of travel or less. Me and some friends just finished this trail at night and it was sick! If you ride at night save battery on the way up until you hit Noble.

Recommended Route:
Park at Pine Valley Road and go up the asphalt to the Oak Tree then down the fire road towards Indian Creek Trail. At the top of Indian Creek go straight down to some VERY fast descent and slightly technical stuff towards Noble Canyon intersect. Enjoy!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mt. Laguna Meadow, Cuyamaca State Park

Review Date
October 29, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Scott ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
"A friend" rode this trail today and checked it out. The National Forest is still closed but there is some access. The fires didnt touch any of Noble. The very top was not ridden today, just from the trailhead, up the road to the lower road crossing. There were several fresh tracks on the path.

A few trees have fallen across the trail, including a gigantic pine tree about 5 minutes below the second road crossing. This one will take some serious chainsaw work. It has to be climbed under for now. I suspect the Parks Service/USFS will be busy with fire clean up for months so the trail will be up to us.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Wooded Hill, Big Laguna Meadow loop, Anderson Truck Trail, lake Morena. I think Morena took a beating in the Potrero Fire. Have to check.

Review Date
May 29, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: hoog187 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
ridiculous downhill im an average rider and had to dismount twice and carry my bike down some parts. overall the best trail i have ever ridden the only thing wrong is that it is far from my house like an hour and a half. As you start the trail there are pine trees and snow then as you decend more you end up in the dessert it is awesome. I wouldnt recomend this trail to begginers but if you have the balls its the greastest ride in san diego

Recommended Route:
take the shuttle to the top it runs on saterday every hour starting at 10am if its not saterday take a buddy and a second car becasue i couldnt imagine riding up htat hill

Other recommended trails in the same area:
im at daily rand 3 times a week it in my backyard! elfin forest and bernardo mountain these trails are all pretty sick