Howdy, and San Diego beginner trails?

L

Lionel_Hutz

New member
Hi everybody, I picked up a TRD Pro this weekend. Have already noticed a lot of nicely modified 4Runners driving around just in the last couple days.

I'm coming from a Euro/sports car background and don't have much in the way of off-roading experience. I'd love some recommendations on trails close to North County San Diego so I can get out and start getting used to the truck. Even short trails are fine--I know there's great stuff out in Anza and San Bernardino but I'd love to bring my kid and that's too long of a trip for him right now. It seems like there are good options in Cleveland NF but they're all closed?

Hope to join you all in some group drives soon, as well!

:thanks:

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Palomar mountain up to the observatory.

Take Nate Harrison grade up from Hwy 76 just south of casino Pauma. Easy dirt trail with good view of the city. Comes out near the observatory.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1756572-post5038.html

Dirtopia -- https://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Nate_Harrison_Grade

http://www.hiddensandiego.net/nate-harrison-grade.php

It is fairly steep with views to the west of Pauma Valley and to the Pacific Ocean. Near the top you enter the shade of the oak and then pine forests.

Difficulty: very easy (1).

Watch the SoCal forum. There are good group trips to Big Bear and Cleghorn. Made a few with some good groups before leaving SoCal.
 
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BobsTrail said:
Palomar mountain up to the observatory.

Take Nate Harrison grade up from Hwy 76 just south of casino Pauma. Easy dirt trail with good view of the city. Comes out near the observatory.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1756572-post5038.html

Dirtopia -- https://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Nate_Harrison_Grade

Nate Harrison Grade

It is fairly steep with views to the west of Pauma Valley and to the Pacific Ocean. Near the top you enter the shade of the oak and then pine forests.

Difficulty: very easy (1).

Watch the SoCal forum. There are good group trips to Big Bear and Cleghorn. Made a few with some good groups before leaving SoCal.
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Thanks! This is one of the few dirt trails that I've done in the area. When I went up (2014?) a passenger car could have made everything except for the last 1/4 mile, which was pretty washed out.

Think I'll take the kiddo up there for lunch at the summit and the Observatory.
 
I highly recommend Lusardi Truck Trail and Black Mountain Truck Trail in Pamo Valley right by Ramona. Easy enough to learn on, great views, and they are pretty darn close to most of San Diego. Just look them up on google maps, they both split off of Pamo Valley Road -- look for a big white gate and a trail sign.
 
Welcome to the club. The others have hit the easy and close trails. If you're willing to drive an hour or so, Corral Canyon OHV has some easy trails that are scenic too. There's even a semi-paved road that goes to the Fire Lookout that is a really fun drive and the views are amazing on a clear day.
 
Welcome! First off your forum name is awesome and is the best legal advice you can get in a shopping mall.

Make sure to check if Black Mountain and Palomar are open.
When the rains and fires come through here they close the gates sometimes and reopen once it's clear.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/cleveland/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5340229

The site is not always super up to date and they never answer the phone so sometimes you just gotta take a chance and head up there.

Both of those trails will be nice starters for you. My stock TRD ORP handled them fine, and it was a breeze once I got the new lift/suspension and tires.

YetiX said:
Welcome to the club. The others have hit the easy and close trails. If you're willing to drive an hour or so, Corral Canyon OHV has some easy trails that are scenic too. There's even a semi-paved road that goes to the Fire Lookout that is a really fun drive and the views are amazing on a clear day.
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YetiX - I'm pretty sure I saw you driving south on 805 during the 5-6pm rush hour traffic jam that freeway is, around the holidays. Excellent rig.
 
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2112 R said:
YetiX - I'm pretty sure I saw you driving south on 805 during the 5-6pm rush hour traffic jam that freeway is, around the holidays. Excellent rig.
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Thanks! Probably was me, I take the 805 home most evenings. My license plate makes it easy to spot me. We need to have a San Diego get together one of these weekends.
 
This is another fun way to go up to Palomar as well. There is a Ranger lookout tower at the top that is pretty cool to check out. This is actually where I proposed to my wife 4 years ago.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/H...2ba25a9c453ec!8m2!3d33.4274247!4d-116.8598359

If you are going to go as far as Black Mountain you should check out Thomas Mountain. From the top you have views of Chauilla Mtn, Palomar, Santa Rosa and Mt. San Jacinto as well.

Black Mountain is great and if you go past that on the 243 towards banning there is an entire network of trails off that way as well.

Bee Canyon from Hemet to Pine Cove is a nice drive as well.
 
I believe this is the tower you're talking about. Went up there a few months ago with the kids and a group of 4runners and Jeeps.
Awesome view.

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2112 R said:
I believe this is the tower you're talking about. Went up there a few months ago with the kids and a group of 4runners and Jeeps.
Awesome view.

A0NaMp4.jpg
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Yeah that is it. Been going up there for years. It is a very easy and relaxing ride but great views from up there.
 
Adding Lusardi truck trail to my own post here. Beautiful trail only about 10 minutes from Ramona. It goes through a few live oak groves, over a few creek crossings (dry right now), and up into the scrub hills. There are some great spots to set up a car picnic and you could continue on foot or a mountain bike after the ranger gate on top. Narrow in sections and some of the erosion control ditches are pretty deep, but I think any stock 4Runner could handle it.

Was empty even on a Sunday morning (though it was crazy windy, which might have kept people away). Only saw one group of mountain bikers and one truck the entire way.

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I work for Lusardi Construction, I think I’m required to find this trail!

Just moved to Fallbrook, hope to meet up with some of you other SD heads in the future.
 
grave said:
I work for Lusardi Construction, I think I’m required to find this trail!

Just moved to Fallbrook, hope to meet up with some of you other SD heads in the future.
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Super easy to find--take Pamo Rd in Ramona into the national forest, then make a right when you hit forest road 11S01 (might also be posted as 11501). Black Mountain truck trail is back there too.

Check the Cleveland Natl Forest webpage for closures before you go out--this was the first weekend I've seen any of these trails open in a while.
 
grave said:
I work for Lusardi Construction, I think I’m required to find this trail!

Just moved to Fallbrook, hope to meet up with some of you other SD heads in the future.
Click to expand...

Somehow I missed that you were here in San Diego. We definitely need to get a group together!
 
All about getting together with other 4runners in San Diego. Been with my rig for 2 years and have yet to find folks to go on an adventure with!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Otay Truck Trail

Otay truck trail is a good place to go with kids since its as easy as u want it to be with some moderate difficulty offshoots if you want. Amazing views of coastline, mexico and inland areas. Ton of CBP jeeps and trucks on the trail.
 
rnic24 said:
All about getting together with other 4runners in San Diego. Been with my rig for 2 years and have yet to find folks to go on an adventure with!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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How sad...where are u located?

North County needs to organize a meet and greet.
I bought my 4runner in August and still have yet to see one organized.
My last rig was a fully built XJ, and our grp would meet up once a month for a trail run or at least some beers and food.

There’s Nothing like community.
 
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