22.9 miles
Distance
2,185 ft
Climb
-2,683 ft
Descent
1,247 ft
High Point

2020 Half Arch Archipelago Route

Detailed Description
2020 Half Arch is a 23 mile popular intermediate route located near Black Mountain California. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 22 trails. This route climbs 2,185 ft with a max elevation of 1,247 ft then descends -2,683 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
San Diego Mountain Biking Association (sdmba.com)
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51 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
spokeswoman SDMBA (10 hours ago)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
The replacement of the Wagon Wheel bridge is complete. It has already survived a 10+ foot flood stage! Thanks to the all the donors who pitched in to help the San Diego Mountain Biking Association make this happen!
[Reply]
  • + 0
Austin1mqmPj (Nov 13, 2022 at 11:39)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
Bridge washed out
[Reply]
  • + 0
MaximilienB (Nov 5, 2022 at 12:44)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
New bridge is in, old bridge has just a frame left
[Reply]
  • + 0
C4SEM4N (Jul 31, 2022 at 11:15)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
No fun.
[Reply]
  • + 2
gkd008 (May 8, 2022 at 22:29)
Trail Side Hill
I would name this trail Blurry Vision. When you hit the bumps/ruts, at the end of the trail at full speed everything gets out of focus.
[Reply]
  • + 2
marvinstorey (Feb 20, 2022 at 20:33)
Trail Manzanita Loop
One of the better loops on black. No pushing your bike up. Just intermediate terrain. Don’t listen to the technical comments too much. Any intermediate rider would enjoy this and have little problem.
[Reply]
  • + 1
bike4us (Dec 21, 2021 at 11:23)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
Temp Bridge washed out
[Reply]
  • + 2
coachzed (Dec 13, 2021 at 9:20)
Trail Manzanita Loop
One of the better trails on Black Mountain. Singletrack with some short, punchy climbs and descents. A few sections of chunk that give it some challenge, but a significantly easier trail than Miners Ridge.

Most of the trail has limited visibility and is two-way and mixed use with hikers. Please use your bell.
[Reply]
  • + 0
coachzed (Oct 30, 2021 at 11:08)
Trail Side Hill
Washboarding is starting to come back already but great dirt. Fast.
[Reply]
  • + 1
mattyj2001 (Sep 18, 2021 at 18:48)
Trail The Sh!ts
It gets roughed up quick. Would still consider this blue due to steepness and tight turns. Some of the pavers have been removed from the very bottom, which to me seems like an improvement. I hope it’s permanent.
[Reply]
  • + 1
bike4us (Aug 27, 2021 at 21:21)
Trail Side Hill
Looks like new profile is correct
[Reply]
  • + 1
bike4us (Aug 26, 2021 at 9:56)
Trail Side Hill
Sidehill grade at 1300ft +/- is steep maybe 18%, does any body know. Trailforks profile way off.
[Reply]
  • + 1
bike4us (Aug 30, 2021 at 16:54)
Trail Side Hill
looks like profile revised to show 16%, cool!
[Reply]
  • + 1
bike4us (Aug 16, 2021 at 10:11)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
(Aug 16, 2021 am) suspension bridge temp closed. May have some carry necessary on small foot bridge.
[Reply]
  • + 0
CrzyMD (Aug 11, 2021 at 2:53)
Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing
The bridge us tricky to ride across. It is a suspension bridge so it “bounces” as you ride across. You screw up you fall in to the creek below. Actually challenging to cross!
[Reply]
  • + 0
Drew12345678911 (Jul 14, 2021 at 22:34)
Trail The Appendix
Not very fun it was super loose and there were many blind corners with no berms and was very overgrown
[Reply]
  • + 1
GranthiVdgf (May 15, 2021 at 9:10)
Trail The Sh!ts
Seems to have been smoothed out a bit, making it significantly less challenging. I think this is now closer to green than black as some have previously stated. Still a nice run.
[Reply]
  • + 1
BenLow2019 (May 8, 2021 at 14:56)
Trail Demaca Drop
Best ridden east to west - down hill.
[Reply]
  • + 1
BenLow2019 (May 8, 2021 at 14:49)
Trail Sundevil Slinky
Kinda steep for a green trail.
[Reply]
  • + 1
ItzSpoonYt (Apr 3, 2021 at 11:49)
Trail Side Hill
Jumps are mini but the lips are trash sdmba please fix
[Reply]
  • + 1
brianpetry TRAILFORKS (Apr 3, 2021 at 15:29)
Trail Side Hill
I don't think they are actually allowed to build jumps in city parks. So, those are water diversions. Maybe someone will coerce the dirt into more jumpy shapes next rain. Don't ask, don't tell...
[Reply]
  • + 2
infinoah (Feb 20, 2021 at 23:39)
Trail The Sh!ts
Definitely not a black, but very fun. It’s a little challenge before you merge into cobbles and one of my favorite trails.
[Reply]
  • + 2
mattyj2001 (Nov 29, 2020 at 16:55)
Trail The Sh!ts
Agree with @NFLPhD. I consider myself a strong intermediate rider and I think this run maybe butts up against being black diamond but perhaps doesn't cross that line. It's close.

There are some tight turns to be aware of. I'm a big, slightly overweight guy (6'1, 225) and I needed to slam on the brakes a couple times when I was overambitious with my downhill speed. Ha ha. Gravity, what are you gonna do?

I meant to turn right and take a loop around the pond but I was going too fast and missed it. This run is so quick it's over just as you're getting into it, but overall super fun. Will ride again.

Good lead in to the lower part of Cobbles.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Oct 26, 2020 at 22:29)
Trail Danger is My Buisness
Fun downhill. Also makeable uphill. Takes you from BMH Connector to manzanita loop or little black loop. Or can take you the Miners loop connector or up to the nighthawk trail up to the fire road to Black widow or the summit.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Oct 25, 2020 at 15:08)
Trail The Sh!ts
There is a log jump you can fly off of at the top and get a decent amount of air on. You can rude around d the jump so if you don't know how to jump, this isn't the jump you want to go off of... Flowy towards the top then a series of tight s turns with berms towards the bottom. It's geared for more advanced riders but not sure I'd say its Black Diamond. Good challenge for intermediate riders.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Oct 25, 2020 at 14:52)
Trail Bowtie Rim
A fun trail to start your ride on after climbing up Powerlines... Flowy and fast with three rocky but flowy turns. A great trail to see how fast you can go on... One jump about 70% the way through the trail. Ride this before heading out to the west rim trail and the north rim trail.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Oct 25, 2020 at 14:41)
Trail Knoll Downhill
Knoll DH is a Black Diamond. Probably one of the more challenging trails to go fast on because of how many large rocks there are... Also has a switchback that you can't fly through... Connects to the Artichoke/Artiflow trail that is super fast and fun with a few small jumps.
[Reply]
  • + 1
JGiovanni (Oct 9, 2020 at 21:46)
Trail Knoll Downhill
This trail is VERY rocky, honestly feels closer to a black rating for me simply because the trail wraps around the edge of the mountain with pretty significant consequence if you fall off.
[Reply]
  • + 2
firepigmtb (Aug 9, 2020 at 14:39)
Trail The Sh!ts
Awesome jump near the top with an easy bypass and then some fun berms with some pedal sections connecting them.
[Reply]
  • + 0
cosborne74 (Aug 1, 2020 at 14:49)
Trail Manzanita Loop
I give this trail a 5/10. Very little real flow. The technical spots could be fun but they just end up being pedal strike zones given the inability to keep any real momentum or flow going into them. A few fun sections. To be honest, the trails going to and from the loop are more fun.
[Reply]
  • + 3
NFLPhD (Jul 19, 2020 at 19:34)
Trail Manzanita Loop
Very fun trail with a few challenging technical sections. Nothing too technical but a few of the sections will definitely challenge most intermediate riders to get through sections without having to put your foot down... Some great views too. Seems to be very popular with the regulars... Most people I have met like to ride counter clockwise... There is a bike pump and bike tool station not far from the trail head.
[Reply]
  • + 1
NFLPhD (Jul 3, 2020 at 14:49)
Trail Lilac Trail
Very fun trail! Definitely Intermediate as there are some technical rock sections. A must ride if you are at Black Mountain and you can connect to it right after you ride miners loop trail to the paved parking lot on the northeast side of the mountain.
[Reply]
  • + 1
budgetmtb (Jun 11, 2020 at 20:11)
Trail The Appendix
Would recommend starting at the tunnel/ cobbles and ride clockwise. More fun that way.
[Reply]
  • + 0
MikeSD (May 9, 2020 at 20:10)
Trail Side Hill
Super fun descent, totally plowable ruts yes but wide open enough to be very doable
[Reply]
  • + 1
currymtb (May 2, 2020 at 16:20)
Trail Side Hill
Horrible ruts make it nearly unrideable. We should rename it to rut hill
[Reply]
  • + 1
currymtb (Mar 16, 2020 at 18:59)
Trail The Sh!ts
Nice jump, pretty precarious at some parrs
[Reply]
  • + 1
budgetmtb (Mar 9, 2020 at 14:52)
Trail Side Hill
very rutted/ deep holes
[Reply]
  • + 1
budgetmtb (Mar 9, 2020 at 14:44)
Trail The Sh!ts
epic jump
[Reply]
  • + 1
brianpetry TRAILFORKS (Sep 10, 2019 at 10:37)
Trail The Sh!ts
Riding up is ok, and a challenge! Let's just be careful. Technically, uphill riders have the right of way. But downhill riders are having more fun, so I like to get out of their way.
[Reply]
  • + 0
kre62 (Sep 9, 2019 at 20:40)
Trail The Sh!ts
This trail should be downhill only. No one ride up it. Lets post some one way signs at the bottom.
[Reply]
  • + 0
JeffreyB1956 (Aug 2, 2019 at 12:04)
Trail Carmel Mountain Road Path
Srxl
[Reply]
  • + 1
Zvernkr (Feb 10, 2019 at 16:06)
Trail Lilac Trail
Agree. For the most part the trail is easy, but a couple rocky sections are hike-a-bike for beginners. A blue rating would be more accurate.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Crock619 (Oct 12, 2018 at 11:03)
Trail The Appendix
Rode this for the first time before hitting cobbles. Was an awesome extra section! Tight with a few little jumps, and about the same climb either way.
[Reply]
  • + 1
anthonydiaz (Jul 18, 2018 at 12:52)
Trail The Appendix
fun trail with an easy climb at the end. definitely one to hit before going down cobbles
[Reply]
  • + 1
Jnunez (Mar 31, 2018 at 15:14)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
Suuuuper loose
[Reply]
  • + 1
gqmalibu007 (Mar 26, 2018 at 8:44)
Trail The Sh!ts
The lower section is being repaired and is looking awesome! The PQ Rangers said that San Diego County workers are doing it?
[Reply]
  • + 1
ridealongside (May 30, 2018 at 14:11)
Trail The Sh!ts
The Boy Scouts and SDMBA volunteers did it for the rangers. It was an Eagle Scout project! How cool is that?!
[Reply]
  • + 1
gqmalibu007 (Oct 17, 2018 at 19:48)
Trail The Sh!ts
Go BSA Eagle project! It looks and rides nice at the bottom now. The banks are kind of funky, but not much more they could do. The dirt they dug out was hard as concrete and the blocks weigh a ton! THANKS!
[Reply]
  • + 3
chainbreaker02 (Jan 2, 2018 at 15:09)
Trail Lilac Trail
Lilac is a fun run that is definitely BLUE! In fact, I'd say there are one or two obstacles on this route that I walk over. I'm not sure how the ratings go but giant rocks with no obvious route is not green. Right?
[Reply]
  • + 1
brianpetry TRAILFORKS (Feb 12, 2019 at 17:46)
Trail Lilac Trail
I changed it to blue. I agree about the obstacles. I bet you could do it with some practice. It took me a few trips to clear them. Here's a good reference for ratings: www.imba.com/resource/trail-difficulty-rating-system
[Reply]
  • + 1
gqmalibu007 (Aug 17, 2017 at 8:48)
Trail The Sh!ts
Dry, rutted, fun! Going up is difficult. Going down is fun.
[Reply]
Deleted threads/comments are hidden





Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Black Mountain
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes
More Stats for 2020 Half Arch mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    -497 ft
  • Altitude min
    51 ft
  • Altitude start
    876 ft
  • Altitude end
    381 ft
  • Grade
    -0.4%
  • Grade max
    -36.3%
  • Grade min
    82.6%
  • Distance climb
    9 miles
  • Distance down
    11 miles
  • Distance flat
    3 miles
Avg: 5 (1 votes)
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  • Activity Type  
3D
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  • Prevalent Mud
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youtuber Side Hill Rancho Penasquitos MTB Trail
Side Hill Rancho Penasquitos MTB Trail
trail: Side Hill
3:30 | 145 | comments: 0 | favs:
Apr 21, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Lilac Trail
Jan 28, 2023 @ 3:07am
Jan 28, 2023
was mostly damp but mostly clear of mud on Wednesday 25th. Should be dry 28th Saturday
Wagon Wheel Crossing
Jan 27, 2023 @ 3:28pm
Jan 27, 2023
Manzanita Loop
Jan 21, 2023 @ 9:02am
Jan 21, 2023
A little muddy, I would give it a full week after a rain to ride.
Demaca Drop
Jan 21, 2023 @ 1:02am
Jan 21, 2023
Danger is My Buisness
Jan 21, 2023 @ 1:02am
Jan 21, 2023
Lots of loose rocks due to the recent rains
more reports »
  • By BenLow2019 & contributors
  • #17907 - 1,024 views