MTB Project Logo

A scenic fire road ride that offers a good workout.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

18.0

Miles

28.9

KM

0%

Singletrack

4,269' 1,301 m

High

2,925' 892 m

Low

2,936' 895 m

Up

2,933' 894 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Family Friendly Loop through these wide trails with lots of picnic tables along the way at convenient turnaround points.

Open 8:00 am - sunset and closed after heavy rain and any snow. Sometimes closed for special events.

Overview

These secluded fire road trails provide great views, tough climbs, and fast descents. The ride is on all fire road, which is minimally graded, natural surface, no gravel, but also no technical challenges. The descents can be very fast due to the width of the “trail”. Stay on the fire road and do not go on cow paths or past any Preserve "Closed" signs.

Need to Know

Use a bell and watch speed on descents. Be alert for horses, hikers, dogs, and lots of cows.

Description

The ride starts with a very hearty climb. It levels out briefly where you take the fork on the right past a bird sign. There's another climb to a picnic area, where you take another right which leads to a quick descent. This is followed by a more rigorous climb which levels out at a picnic table beneath some solitary oaks on top of the hill. There is a great view here, so this would make a good turnaround for a shorter ride.

The trail then drops in to Kanaka Flats area. A right at the next junction will lead you to the Kanaka Loop Trail. Kanaka rejoins Coast to Crest Trail Connector where you go right again to descend to cross Santa Ysabel creek; this is the best part of the ride through oaks along creek.

After two creek crossings (the first has a bridge), you'll reach the upper parking area. Enjoy a few mild climbs and very fast downhills to return to the Hwy 78 parking area. If you take all rights on the way back, you'll follow the figure-8 route depicted. Again, watch your speed and yield to other users, especially horses. Rated intermediate due to climbing.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ian Stenehjem with improvements by Susie Murphy

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 5 votes

#2199

Overall
  4.4 from 5 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#263

in California

#2,199

Overall
65 Views Last Month
4,019 Since Mar 13, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
60%
0%
40%
0%

Photos

Looking SW from top of Kanaka Flats loop
Apr 15, 2019 near Julian, CA
Pasture in the Kanaka Flats area
Apr 15, 2019 near Julian, CA
from Kanaka Loop trail looking NW
Mar 17, 2018 near Julian, CA
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 7 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 1, 2023
Tom N
Apr 13, 2019
Elias Espino
Lots of cows about. Be careful with the cow patties! 13.4mi — 1h 58m
Sep 23, 2018
Steven Hasson
May 18, 2018
Cameron Gary
17.1mi — 2h 49m
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.