The beginning of this 22-mile ride is all drama: 16 switchbacks in the first mile, 4,500-feet of elevation gain, and singletrack coiling through scratchy chaparral brush. The rest is all beauty and high action. At mile 11 near Blue Jay Campground, the trail unveils a scenic chunk of choppy ocean, shrub-blanketed mountains, and windswept ridges. Refill water bottles at the camp then drop 4,500 feet over nearly 10 miles on the sinewy singletrack back to your car. A favorite among SoCal downhillers, this trail is a sure bet for white knuckles and dust-covered grins.
-Mapped by Angela Wimberly
TO TRAILHEAD: From San Juan Capistrano: Take Ortega Highway/CA-74 east for 12 miles. Turn left on Camp Road at the sign for Lazy R Ranch. Continue down Camp Road for a half mile to a large dirt parking lot. There is a bathroom and picnic table, but no water. The trail is right beside the road. Please note: visitors need a Forest Service Adventure Pass to park. Please see http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/ for more info on where to purchase an Adventure Pass.
