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Switchbacks

 6 votes
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …Carlsbad
  5. Rancho La Costa Preserve
Google Map

Length

2.0 Miles 3.2 Kilometers


Singletrack

Elevation

515' 157 m

Ascent

0' 0 m

Descent

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

986' 300 m

High

470' 143 m

Low

Conditions

All Clear 45 days ago
Dry History
Getting forecast...

“Switchback your way to the top of Rancho La Costa Preserve on this steep, steady-going, and picturesque singletrack.”

— Tom Robson
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Features: -none-
Dogs: Leashed

Description

Starting from the on street parking area on Camino Junipero, Switchbacks winds its way on multiple switchbacks (duh...) to a connection with Denning Drive. This steep, technical, at times rocky trail winds through coastal sage and wildflowers, offering commanding views all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Several straightaways allow for fast and flowy sections. Watch for overgrowth and erosion; have fun!

Contacts

Local Club: San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)

Land Manager: City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Dept.

You & this Trail


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Get On-Trail Navigation

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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Aug 14, 2017
Adam Dm
Jun 14, 2017
Michael Bishop
Jan 14, 2017
Michael Bishop
6.4mi
Sep 10, 2016
Michael Bishop
Aug 10, 2016
Michael Bishop
May 29, 2016
Michael Bishop
5.9mi

Stewarded By

Stewarded by San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 6 votes

#2

in Rancho La Costa Preserve

#5434

Overall
  4.0 from 6 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#2

in Rancho La Costa Preserve

#354

in California

#5,434

Overall
31 Views Last Month
758 Since Mar 17, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
50%
17%
33%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Sitting at the top of Nascar
Sitting at the top of Nascar
 4
Switchbacks Straightaway
Switchbacks Straightaway
 3
Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad Stacks and Pacific Ocean View
Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad Stacks and Pacific…
 4
Photo credit: Mountain Bike Bill
Photo credit: Mountain Bike Bill
 4
Parking Area On Street
Parking Area On Street
 3

1 Comment

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Newest Oldest Popular
Chris Pickford
Chris Pickford  
What makes this trail difficult is the switchbacks are rutted and you often have to navigate over or around outcroppings of rock or small drops. The key to getting through the switchbacks is to have some speed and try not to brake hard. The lower part of the trail doesn't seems more flowy than the upper part. Apr 8, 2018

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This chunky terrain is certainly more fun on the way down than on the way up.
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Calavera Mountain and Lake Calavera in the foreground.
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Lilac Miners Peak Loop overlooking out to 4s Ranch. Narrow trail, but the lower half is so much fun!
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Lilac Miners Peak Loop
 14
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Start of the Rattlesnake Trail.
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 1
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