From the parking lot, take the fire road up for about 2 miles (4ish if you park in the free lot). The Camuesa Connector Trail sign will be on your right.After finishing the singletrack and crossing the Santa Ynez River, turn right on the road and ride about 4 miles back to your car (about 2ish if you parked in the free lot.)
The trail itself has a lot of sweet singletrack. Some of it is loose rock, other parts are dry-packed ST. Lots of flow, a few switchbacks, some rock gardens and some exposure. Tons of fun!
Fire road was pretty beat up by rain erosion at certain parts all the way up to the top.
| ThankDownhill portion we terminated due to high grass/brushes preventing proper awareness of the trail and ruts causing almost crashes. Pity because the scenery is beautiful!
Climb the fire road, it's a good workout. Then you can enjoy the nice, flow of the downhill. It's a nice, long descent that goes through a variable of terrains. The last bit is the fastest and most fun section. I like it!
| ThankAvoid the fire road climb:
At the first fire road switch back take Santa Cruz trail and connect with 19 Oaks instead of the fire road all the way to Camuesa. After 19 oaks you will connect with the fire road again and head down (right) towards camuesa. Cam has a few descents and climbs, all ST. The ending is my favorite, some mild exposure but noting too crazy - HOT in the summer head out early or bring lots of water.
Make sure you stop at Cold Springs Tavern afterwards for Tri Tip Sandwiches, cold beer and maybe live music.
| Thank4.5/5
Typical front range trail: fire road grind up (with some of the steepest climbs I've found) then a sweet singletrack descent. The trail starts out with a prairie descent with a fairy steep ditch on the bottom. Be ready for it.
| ThankThere are some sweeping corners followed by some great water bars/nics you can pump or jump for some great flow action. After the exposure area, you finish the ride with another flow area before you cross a stream. It was dry when we rode it but I'm not sure it's always that way.