Camp high if you can and be sure you never set up camp in a wash due to potential flash floods. Four hundred miles of lung-busting alpine climbs, desolate desert terrain where you need to carry many liters of water, wind-swept highways and peanut butter mud, and frequent hike-a-bikes in unrideable canyons and soul-sucking sand. Its doable in three days and neither of the two on-route camping options require a reservation, though making it between them might require a push. 157 views, 5 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 4 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from La Baroudeuse Bikepacking: En route, . Brian and Dave continued to the coaston highway. Your source for gravel and bikepacking routes in eastern and central Ontario, western Quebec, and Beyond! Longer and a bit gentler than the Baldy Bruiser, the SoCal Desert Ramble offers 500 miles of mixed-terrain riding through some of southern Californias most iconic desert landscapes. Bikepacking Scotland by Markus Stitz features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across the Scottish mainland and islands. Sign up to receive the free downloadable bikepacking town day checklist to help with your resupply stops: Youll also receive occasional emails with other bikepacking and touring resources. Brendan Collier, the founder of the Stagecoach 400, and Meg Knobel, who has taken over the reins as Master of Stoke, decided to move ahead with the race, though with a warning. De eerste 4 dagen helemaal niemand gezien, niet gek met 3 The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The Caldera 500 is a rugged and endlessly beautiful route that immerses riders in the Eastern Sierra. Connecting Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Cleghorn Fire Road, Baldy Notch, Glendora Ridge Road, and Rincon-Redbox Truck Trail, it's a gorgeous backcountry ride that boasts a fearsome amount of climbing and some steep grades along its 145 miles length. For routes with desert riding, consider your tire setup carefully. Thanks again! Hello! Treks Farley 9.6 is one of the most popular fat bikes on the market. The 50mm gravel tires are made-in-France and sell for 50 for the smoother Overide, or 53 for the more knobby Touareg & Tundra. Original AR700 Coleman to Hinton, Alberta Route Details: 6 Days | 5 Nights | 720 km (447 mi) | +9,148 m (30,013 ft) | Start: Coleman | End: Hinton I finished the pct this September 2021 for my 60th birthday havent used my bikes for at least ten years due to an autoimmune disease but with fortitude and planing I did hike from Mexico to Canada been training on an e bike and hope to put a few thousand miles on dirt this next year love your site and will stay tuned. If you like variety and dont mind mixing some civilization in with your nature and trails, this is about as good as it gets in the bay area. Quite different from the other expeditions here, this is a gentle but beautiful route thats ideal for bikepacking beginners: super-accessible, and dotted with campsites and accommodation, markets and eateries. Bikepacking.com and others have already developed several routes in this area, and there are many more options waiting to be explored. Hi , Just did my first bikepacking trip riding part of the baldy bruiser and my knees are still angry, lol. Essentially, you're carrying everything you need for your camping trip on you and your bike and sometimes the terrain can get a little rough. The Baldy Bruiser is a burly 150 miles of dirt road and 44 track through the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. The trail offers fantastic views as most of it is above the tree line. In the BT 700 BIKEPACKING - Home Situated in Southwestern Ontario, the BT 700 is a 798 km loop (used to be 700) in southwestern Ontario designed for any rider who revels in unpaved backcountry roads, testy climbs and trails through thick forests. BA1 1UA. Warsaw Area Rides & Routes - The Truman Lake Adventure Club has assembled some of the best road, gravel, and trail cycling routes in the region: Epic 60 on the Butterfield, Lincoln 104, Iconium 20, Pomme de Tour 66, Butterfield Stage Expierence, Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park routes, water trails, & more. There are stretches of this route that have no amenities for some time so its important to do some careful planning beforehand. It was tough deciding between this and the 100-mile White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park just west of Moab. Be sure to think about where you will sleep each night and how you will get food and water. on the fork blades or below the downtube for gear and bottle cages, or at the dropouts and seat stays for racks. This ride is usually done as a point to point but there are variations, including the 277-mile Fools Loop straight out of central Phoenix, for more experienced desert riders. Described by Logan Watts as an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac, youll never forget the rocky, technical climbs, the sand, the canyons, the views and the nights under desert stars. Though Ive spent plenty of time backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I havent done as much bikepacking there. Though remote in some places, it also takes in a bit more civilization than the Baldy Bruiser, including quirky desert communities and sights like Joshua Tree, Salton Sea, and the unforgettable Slab City. . Glacial valleys, thermal hot springs, bears this ride has it all. Because the weather forecast included more rain and snow for the entire route, Brendan and Meg rerouted us around all of the dirt riding coming into San Diego North County and the trails going east from San Diego towards Alpine. Recommended itinerary: Day 1: 70 miles | 3,500 feet. Thanks for reading! I only recommend and link to products I know and love. Since I too live in the Bay Area, Ill be looking at some of those trails to get started but also love the Sierra Nevada. It also could be linked up with the Tahoe Twirl route mentioned above. You experience a diverse set of geographical features along this route from alpine elevations of 11,913', wide-open grasslands, and remote desert in New . The road plateaus and the pavement ends under the East Summit and the rest of the island is dirt roads or singletrack. As a cyclist, I know the feelingbut on this occasion, when the truck was just inches away from us, it spooked me more than usual. Looking for route recommendations within a day's drive of SF for a 2-4 night trip. 90 mi. I hear the section through Nevada is tough and very sparse on water and resupply options; research before attempting! My buddy was riding a fully loaded Surly Crosscheck with 35 mm tires and was challenged on the singletrack but on all other roads it worked well. Short description. Its accessible by ferry, crisscrossed by dirt roads (heres a map), and has several campgrounds and primitive campsites (reservations likely needed). Patterson, and fly down the accompanying backcountry singletrack descents. This loop from Doing Miles includes a section through Carrizo Plain, as does the 2022 Tour de los Padres. Gravel bike; Bikepacking kit; Garmin with pre loaded route; 2 nights B&B accommodation; Lunches & dinners; Go in spring, and you may see the desert bursting into flower. In mid-February, my best friend joined me to circumnavigate Santa Catalina Island, one of the eight California Channel Islands due west of Los Angeles. Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. JULY - 2023. In emails to the riders, Brendan essentially said, We dont really recommend you ride the Stagecoach this year with epic rains and hypothermic friendly weather. My legs were feeling good, but I didnt want to return to the highway at night, still rattled from the previous close call with the truck. About . There are also a few restaurants along the way you can stop at for a meal or snack. The Great Divide is high-profile, well documented and almost 100% rideable. The Stagecoach 400 is an all-together different undertaking than the chill pace that I road Catalina Island or the bike camping in Cuyamaca. Lower elevation in the desert can be brutally hot during summer. 1. Gravel Bike with Shimano Dura Ace 6 years warranty & 30 days Return Policy Bikes directly from the manufacturer Discover here! Its roughly based on a classic extreme motorbike route, around 70% off-road. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it: For a short two or three day trip, Catalina island has several established campgrounds and lots of dirt/gravel roads. Sean has old school cycle touring in his blood, with a coast to coast USA ride and a number of month-long European tours in his very relaxed palmares. Bones to Blue includes a short loop to the northwest of Truckee that could be skipped to shorten the route, though youd miss some historic (if rather somber) sites related to the infamous Donner Party and the deaths of many Chinese railroad laborers. Microwave Pizza Pockets, dill pickles, and hot chocolate were on the Chevron Station menu. This route boasts giant metal sculptures, narrow canyon walls, with picturesque rocks and geological formations. This route packs it all in just 40 miles, the first route in our 2019 Gravel Adventure Series #DirtChurch. / 235 km 4 days The Bay Area Ridge trail, though a tempting concept, is still very much unfinished. Come and find yourself immersed in the endless network of lonely backcountry gravel and dirt roads, forested paths and charming towns. Bikepacking Central Oregon: High Desert and Volcanic Geology from K Falls to Bend. are well documented. Green Mountain Gravel Growler (opens in new tab). Gravel & Bikepacking. May 24, 2019 7 AM PT. I recommend joining the Facebook group if youre interested in learning more. The Anza-Hapaha Loop is a 2-3 day bikepacking route that connects several of Anza-Borrego Desert State Parks magnificent dirt and sand roads, explores its wildflower, ocotillo, and cactus-rich desert, and snakes its way through the badlands of two geologically mesmerizing canyons. Congrats on the new bike and best wishes for some great adventures. I recently had the chance to do a quick overnighter in the southern portion and it did not disappoint. Soon (most) everyone understood how staying put meant there would be less chance of contagion, especially by asymptomatic carriers. Given the proximity of the mountains, lakes, forests, and deserts, youre able to have a variety of options, so hop on your bike and enjoy the ride. The Bay Area Triple Crossover links up a lot of the best options in the north and east bay, and includes three bridge crossings! Day 1: Snowdonia emerges / 31 miles / 5 - 6 hrs / 845m . While cycling on Catalina is steep in all directions, the amenities available make it very comfortable, even decadent by bike packing standards.. On the morning of our third day we road 17 miles from the West side of the island ascending 2,400 feet on fire roads through the central valley eventually connecting to the coast and the steep descent into Avalon. It brings race competitors to tears, but when youre not riding it against the clock, its all just part of the adventure, right? Your experienced riding buddy in digital form: 140 mobile-friendly pages packed with how to's, problem solving tips, and hard-earned wisdom from the trail and road. The preferred route of accomplished endurance cyclist and Alaska native Lael Wilcox, the 92-mile Denali Park Road consists mostly of gently rolling, easy-riding gravel and is the habitat of a. Black bears can be a problem; youll want to hang your food at the very least, and ideally use a bar-resistant bag like the Ursack Major. This 146-mile route starts at Big Bear Lake and takes you on some diverse terrain like forest roads, ATV trails, sandy two-track, and even some unused paved roads. So Im a little surprised that while most other states in the western US are collecting established bikepacking routes at a rapid rate, bikepacking in California still seems to be in its infancy. Shop Grizl 21 items Availability Show Filters New Compare Grail CF SL 7 Shimano GRX RX810 GS, DT Swiss Gravel LN $2,699.00 Financing available for this product -13% Compare Grizl 6 Shimano GRX RX400 GS, DT Swiss Gravel LN Trail Sale: Limited time only $1,299.00 bikepacking roots and our logo are registered trademarks. There are several ways to approach bikepacking around Lake Tahoe, but all are based at least partly on the famous Tahoe Rim Trail. The Doing Miles ride report, 2022 TDLP, and my Central California loop all include parts of this area. Its not a pushover though youll need to plan your logistics well, there are a couple of significant river crossings, and its worth planning to avoid rainy periods the regions infamous bentonite clay is death to drivetrains. Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath. The loop nature of both routes, along with relatively easy food and water resupply, make both logistically simple. Bikepacking, is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping, simply put, bikepacking. Here are a few good places to start when looking for a bikepacking route in Central California: Tour de los Padres: This is a bikepacking event held annually on a variety of different routes in the region. Spring and fall are excellent times to bikepack in the southern California desert. It is split up into 4 tiers and 10 segments. It heads out of Fruita on stunning singletrack in the high La Sal mountains and heads towards the martian red-rock vistas of Utah. The COLT bikepacking loop is a 450-km mix of rail, ATV and snowmobile trails with some good climbing on loose gravel roads. Traversing the spine of the continent and crossing the Continental Divide 30 times, theres no shortage of climbing, and the states it passes through are like a Top Trumps of North American landscapes. With over a hundred miles of single track, it is perfect for weekend bikepacking. Historical signage en route explains how the railroad was established to support the logging and mining industries. Im looking back to those trips with more fondness than usual. Whats not to love? Arroyo Seco Indians Road / Coast Ridge Road / Fort Hunter Liggett: The northern part of Los Padres National Forest features some nice options for short bikepacking trips. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, To learn more Click Here. Highlights include Big Bear Lake, The Salton Sea, and the Pacific Ocean as well as other unique points of interest. This 60-mile loop starts in Pasadena and takes you up to the mountains of Angeles National Forest; as you would expect, there is going to be some climbing involved. Excited to try bikepacking but need help getting started? Its resolutely low-key, with an emphasis on overcoming your own challenges as they arise. We arrived just in time to catch Catalina Express back to Dana Point. . Its only occasionally technical but its an endless series of climbs and descents, reaching 9000ft, and includes a couple of long stretches of hike-a-bike, so youll need to be fit. Mountain biking enthusiasts probably know it for the Downieville Classic race. 103 mi. More here. We rolled our loaded bikes onto the ferry, secured them at the back of the vessel as choppy waters were forecasted, and found a bench on the upper deck for the 90-minute ferry from Dana Point ($75 round-trip + $8 for the bike). Close proximity to major metropolitan areas, particularly LA, keeps transportation time reasonable. Wikiloc. Bath Henry Coe State Park, down south near Gilroy, is the only Bay Area park where true backcountry camping (outside designated sites) is allowed. Refresh Page Error: af0040c3b0ef48c89f828c7fc0d69813 Sign up to get the latest Ride Gravel news! Sardine Lookout Tower Overnighter is a mini adventure that gives riders a taste of the beautiful forests, meadows, and reservoirs around Tahoe National Forest. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. Campbellford has the spectacular Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Doube's Trestle Bridge is near Omemee. This is as much a tour of Vermonts fine smalltown eateries and microbreweries as it is a meander through its countryside. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). A few of the climbs are almost definitely too steep to ride, but this is a generally doable ride, even having marker posts in many places. This rugged island off the coast of LA was suggested by a reader, and looks like it would make an amazing 2-3 day bikepacking trip! I was over the moon to see my personal project of 2021/22, the 185km East Devon Trail bikepacking loop, was named in Bikepacking.com's 2022 Awards. 10 - Bear Growl Gravel Grinder, Greenville. Learn more or say hi. Climbing is plentiful and sometimes steep, and surfaces are varied. / 180 km 3-4 days SF Peninsula Traverse comment 137 time Oct 27 compose Guest Routes USA 146 mi. If youre anywhere near Phoenix, Arizona, and you want a taste of desert bikepacking, this one-nighter through the Sonoran Desert is your go-to. I wished all the other riders safe pedaling in and out of San Diego, texted the organizers of the Stagecoach 400 to thank them, and turned off my Spot Tracker near Escondido. The Baja is the finger of Mexico that extends 800 miles south of the border with the USA, with the Pacific on its west, and the Gulf of California to the east. We watched dolphins surfacing in the harbor before cooking dinner over a campfire as the sunset. Puis ces . The Bikepacking Trip Planner Workbook can help you take the next step. The extreme heat in the summer and unpredictable winter weather in the higher elevations make those seasons somewhat less desirable. Check back regularly. Either way, planning your water stops is vital as there is very little drinkable water on the route. . For those who want to venture even further off the beaten track, plenty of jeep tracks and even singletrack motorbike trails can take you nearly anywhere you want to explore. Completed in 1997, the GDMBR was developed by Adventure Cycling Association, who continue to maintain highly detailed route maps and a guidebook. YEP, Join the free Ride with GPS club account p/b paradise garage. Read more on the About Me page. Its fire roads can be devilishly steep though, and summer temperatures can soar, so dont expect easy riding. This 168 mile route is a great multi-day touring option. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. The descent from Idyllwild was frozen, the ascent over Thompson Mountain was steep, and the hero-dirt descent towards Anza gave us all ear-to-ear smiles. The Stagecoach 400, originally established as a bikepacking race of the same name, is 380-ish mile loop out of San Diego. Pulling into the harbor at Avalon felt like arriving in a Mediterranean village though most of the people walking off the boat with us were humming Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. Baldy Bruiser The Baldy Bruiser is a burly 150 miles of dirt road and 44 track through the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Bikepacking Alliance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Are you looking for a high-performing fat bike that can provide you with a great riding experience? Here are several standout bikepacking routes in Southern California, ordered roughly from north to south. We have so much gorgeous land to explore! For 2-3 days of bike packing, look into linking the trails from Cuyamaca the Cleveland National Forest to Noble Canyon, and the Mount Laguna Recreation Area. RSF Gravel Route. Cheers! garmin varia, bike radar system, varia rvr315, varia rtl515, ride with gps, spurcycle, compact bell, flat bar gravel bike bell, best bike bell, spurcycle compact bell, The Year In Routes 2022 - Best Gravelstoke Rides of the Year, Restrap Bumper Bar and Full Frame Bag Review, Happier Bar Bags with the Restrap Bumper Bar, New Top Tube Bag For Gravel Gets Everything Right. Theres some semi-technical singletrack, plenty of rooty dirt, river crossings, waterfalls you wont get bored. Depending on recent weather and use, the dirt track can be fairly smooth, or quite rocky. For those wanting something longer, inspiration may be found from the HardCOEre 100. The SoCal Desert Ramble is a staple of the bikepacking routes in southern California. If the 2,700-mile North-South Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (above) seems too tame, the East-West Trans-America Trail route will give you plenty of scope for dreaming. If you are riding in the desert, check the weather beforehand; you wouldnt want to be cycling in a wash due to the potential for flash floods. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. For this area I can only offer a few general leads, since I have yet to explore it much outside of Mendocino National Forest. After years of riding and evaluating 650b it became clear that, like on the mountain bike, the one set up that was more confidence . If youre looking for spectacular scenery, this may be the route for you. Perhaps, we now realize how much we take for granted. To help share our favorite local routes Rockgeist will be publishing single overnight trips in the Blue Ridge Mountains and other areas on the East Coast. The herd grew to over 4000 in the subsequent decades and decimated the islands vegetation. Lets help get more bikepackers out there on our roads and trails. The route features a mixture of singletrack, dirt roads, and a bit of pavement as it crosses the Evergreen State. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. Read More Rothrock Gravel Overnighter An 80% gravel loop in the forests and farmlands of central Pennsylvania. Planning a bikepacking route involves a lot of maps, trail knowledge and more. Mountains, beaches, golden hills, desert There is something here for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. The Three Bikepacking Gems of Southern California Gravelstoke Cuyamaca Bikepacking Route View Full Version Send to Device 158.7 mi + 21,293 ft / - 21,294 ft RWGPS BESbswy Stagecoach 400 Bikepacking Route View Full Version Send to Device 375 mi + 27,422 ft / - 27,419 ft RWGPS BESbswy Cackling Carnivore 2 years ago When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thirty riders showed up in the morning for breakfast fuel at Higher Grounds as snow and sleet fell outside. Though not contiguous, it spans a surprisingly large north-south distance between Big Sur and Santa Barbara, and is more rugged than you would expect. Reaching over 5,000ft at times, it offers bouts of flowing singletrack and a medley of abandoned dirt roads, set to one sweeping panorama after another. There is also a variety of wildlife in the region, such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Bring a lot of water since the only reliable water is at Red Box Station. The ambitious Trans North California is technically an underground race, though it would make an interesting touring route too. Descending Black Canyon in the darkness and waves of orange blossoms scents was glorious. Widely recognized as the birthplace of mountain biking, the Mt Tamalpais and Marin region is a special place where the ocean, coastal hills, and redwood forests converge. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring. The full 500-mile version traverses five mountain ranges and three distinct biomes, always choosing the more challenging option at each junction. Sometimes my posts contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Much of my bikepacking time has been spent exploring other states and countries, but Im looking forward to exploring my home state more thoroughly in the near future. Terms of use | Privacy | Cookie policy, nearSanta Rosa, California (United States), nearHaight-Ashbury, California (United States), nearMontgomery Village, California (United States), nearPierpont Bay, California (United States), nearDesert Lodge, California (United States), nearRapetti (historical), California (United States), nearPresswood, California (United States), nearKent Woodlands, California (United States), nearSan Gregorio, California (United States), nearArmstrong, California (United States), nearBlackhawk, California (United States), Ventura keys-Ventura Pier-tortilla flats(Ventura), 20220226-RainbowWash&HillsOfTheMoonWash, Gravel Bike trails in Bothin (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Dyerville (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Fort Ord Village (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Friendly Village of Anaheim, Gravel Bike trails in Guadalupe (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Gypsum (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Illinoistown (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Lucas Valley-Marinwood, Gravel Bike trails in Miller (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Ponderosa Palisades, Gravel Bike trails in Rapetti (historical), Gravel Bike trails in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Road Bike trails in California (United States), Mountain Bike trails in California (United States), Bicycle Touring trails in California (United States), Gravel Bike trails in California (United States), eBike trails in California (United States), Bikepacking trails in California (United States), Downhill MTB trails in California (United States), Trailer Bike trails in California (United States), Kickbike trails in California (United States), Hiking trails in California (United States), Discover other outdoor activities in this region. Day 4: 66 miles | 3,300 feet. Read more The itinerary. Ive traveled over 17,000 miles by bike and still cant stop planning my next ride (and helping you plan yours). We all know that to connect all the amazing mountain, desert, and coastal dirt, there needs to be some highway connectors. Many parts of this route are in National Forest areas making dispersed camping pretty easy. Think of bikepacking as a camping trip you take with your bike. Read More Aug 21, 2021 / 800 km 10 days The SoCal Desert Ramble, Southern California comment 146 time Mar 10 compose Cass Gilbert USA 112 mi. The new 700c x 50mm gravel bike tires are all exclusively available in Hutchinson's top tubeless-ready 127tpi construction with Hardskin puncture protection & dual-compound rubber, and only with natural tanwalls. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. Wild camping is plentiful, and hosted options including cyclist-only lodgings! The North Dakota Badlands are an extraordinary maze of striped-rock canyons and grasslands classic Western movie territory. For even more ideas based on trip journals from other riders, see the California page on BikeSleepBike (another project of mine that aggregates bike travel blogs). The East Bay includes many smaller open space preserves with a few campgrounds. The combination of these two historic routes takes bikepackers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, all the way to Washington DC. Find event and ticket information. With these considerations in mind, I mapped out the following route favoring gravel roads, paths, and small roads: San Bruno - Pacifica/Linda Mar - Half Moon Bay - Pescadero - Big Basin - Skyline - Los Gatos Day 1: San Bruno to Half Moon Bay My adventure began with a ride to the Santa Clara Caltrain station. Be sure to take the option of the wild endless Porcupine Rim descent down into Moab. We may not have endless dirt roads and camp-wherever-you-want land regulations, but bikepacking in the bay area has its own charms. Its crisscrossed by gravel tracks so you could break it down into day-rideable chunks, but the opportunities for sleeping under the stars, and the campsites along the way make this cry out as a classic bikepacking adventure. The route has many resupply options along the way as well as camping and a few hotel options to look into. Entdecke die schnsten Orte, lade GPS-Tracks herunter und folge den Top-Routen auf einer Karte. / 145 km 2-3 days Anza-Hapaha Loop comment 55 time Mar 14 compose Logan Watts USA 497 mi. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. Noble Canyon is one of my favorite areas with serious climbing in Indian Creek and Deer Park and the payoff with flowing single track and technical rock gardens. Wild rocky scrub, huge empty spaces, tough canyons, and hurrah singletrack that weaves through swathes of the iconic saguaro cactus, which can grow up to 12 meters tall, will see you on your way. Guide pointing to a snow-covered Four Peaks! It not only takes in the best of Cuyamaca terrain but the single track and gravel roads in the adjacent Pine Creek and Hauser Wilderness areas. The wide elevation range, from around 1500 feet up to nearly 8000 feet, means this route is best ridden in fall or early winter when temperatures arent too hot and snowpack at the high points is manageable. As one of the closest national forests to the Bay Area, Mendocino National Forest is an intriguing possibility.