23.1 miles
Distance
1,957 ft
Climb
-1,958 ft
Descent
438 ft
High Point

This route through Los Penasquitos Canyon and Del Mar Mesa hits some of the most popular trails in the area (Tunnel 4, Tunnel 1, Deer Canyon, Switchbacks, Sh*ts, Appendix, Cobbles, Waimea and Crabs).

Parking and trail head are at Penasquitos Creek Park across from the elementary school.

The black-diamond trails (Big Waimea/Red Diamond) and Crabs can be skipped by beginners or lower intermediate riders.

Detailed Description
Los Penasquitos and Del Mar Mesa Intro Tour is a 23 mile popular intermediate route located near San Diego California. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 61 trails. This route climbs 1,957 ft with a max elevation of 438 ft then descends -1,958 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
San Diego Mountain Biking Association (sdmba.com)
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211 Reviews & Comments


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Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Ridelogs
    97
More Stats for Los Penasquitos and Del Mar Mesa Intro Tour mountain bike route
  • Avg time
    2 hr 8 min
  • Altitude min
    46 ft
  • Altitude start
    236 ft
  • Altitude end
    233 ft
  • Grade max
    -33.9%
  • Grade min
    30.5%
  • Distance climb
    10 miles
  • Distance down
    9 miles
  • Distance flat
    5 miles
Avg: 4 (4 votes)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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  • > 80%
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  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
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Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
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Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
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  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
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youtuber Side Hill Rancho Penasquitos MTB Trail
Side Hill Rancho Penasquitos MTB Trail
trail: Side Hill
3:30 | 380 | comments: 0 | favs:
Apr 21, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Switchbacks
Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:47am
Dec 15, 2024
Great shape at the moment but when it rains this trail gets too wet/muddy to climb.
Hurry Home
Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:47am
Dec 15, 2024
The bottom of the trail is really sandy making for a tough ride.
Bowtie Rim
Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:47am
Dec 15, 2024
North Rim
Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:47am
Dec 15, 2024
Quick(en) Business
Dec 15, 2024 @ 8:47am
Dec 15, 2024
more reports »
  • By brianpetryTF Pro TRAILFORKS & contributors
  • #8358 - 6,807 views