How To: Crestridge Ecological Reserve
Go Wander Your Way
East of downtown San Diego, a little past El Cajon, is Crestridge Ecological Reserve. During the winter, and sometimes early mornings in summer, it is my regular go-to place to get in some gritty miles before or after work. It’s a mostly unmapped network of trails that figure-8 and spider web throughout the rugged rocky landscape. If you have a willingness to wander and explore, you can find upwards of 2 hours of riding that will satisfy any mountain biking needs you may have.
There’s flow trail and there’s rocky tech with quick bursts of downhills. There are fire/gravel roads and if you keep a watchful eye, there’s a trail here and a trail there to take and see where it leads you. Wildflowers pop in spring and as winter rolls into spring, the hills turn green.
For me, though, the oak grove is the highlight. All anyone has to do is spend time in it and …
… even if you were already feeling good, you’ll come out of it feeling better.
How To: Park at the visitor center where Horsemill Rd. ends. If you’ve not been there, use your favorite app to get started. There are more miles to the “left” but for some reason, I like what’s to the far right, as it is “dirty” and feels remote.
Crestridge does allow horses on the trails, though I see them maybe 10% of the time.
That’s it. No real detail on what to ride and in what direction, but that’s the point!
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SDMBA group did some trail work yesterday out there! Yay!