×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Beginner
Length: 14 mi (22.5 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Out & Back
Elevation: +1,917/ -1,869 ft
Total: 166 riders
Mountain Biking Lake Hodges
#26 of 1,004 mountain bike trails in California
Once on the trail you have many choices on which way to go. Best route is to take the first climb and follow it around the mountain. You will have many opportunities to break left but wait for about a mile and a half for the decent that goes into the woods. This singletrack is shotgunned with ruts, rocks and a stream crossing. Once across the 10 foot wide stream pay attention and break on the first left which will follow the stream for about a mile with some awesome singletrack with big rocks drops and log jumps. Once you get out of the woods take the right up a very rocky climb and keep to the right for some good jumps and then follow the trails around the lake and then loop back and do it all again. You can average about 20mph on the way back. Enjoy
First added by searsandrewj on Mar 11, 2005. Last updated Apr 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Take I-15 south from the 78 about 3 exits to the Lake Hodges off ramp. Once off the freeway go east to the first stoplight that you can turn right (it is across from the mall entrance). Follow the road about 3/4 a mile and you can't miss the parking lot and the trail head.
Once on the trail you have many choices on which way to go. Best route is to take the first climb and follow it around the mountain. You will have many opportunities to break left but wait for about a mile and a half for the decent that goes into the woods. This singletrack is shotgunned with ruts, rocks and a stream crossing. Once across the 10 foot wide stream pay attention and break on the first left which will follow the stream for about
Featured in
Simple but fun and really beautiful.
| ThankSome single track, some double, small water, gentle hill. Busy day here on Sunday. Please use a bell or be courteous. Just watched a large group bombing the hill out of 25 of them no bell 2 on your left. Beutiful place, don't ruin it and get it taken away.
| ThankOne of the better trails in the area, Hodges has some of the nicest trail surface and flow and easy access from trailheads. It connects with lots of trail and you could explore for days. Theres not good signage so take your app or map. Mostly beginner friendly, but still very fun for more experienced riders
| ThankA great place to get some pedaling in as there are few options in the area. You can park across the street from the mall and ride to the dam and back for an almost 30 mile loop. There are few technical features and no real jumps or drops. The south side of the lake is mostly singletrack and it's more fun but much shorter. I recommend starting at the sunset drive staging area and riding the north side to hernandez hideaway for a beer or three and back. It's a good 3 hour ride that way.
| Thankthis trail is fun and is mostly fun which is fun with beginner riders or kids.
| ThankOne of my favorite areas to mountain bike.
| ThankLots of variety. Bernardo Mountain is a steep rock garden. Be careful as it washes out after rains. Don't bomb down unless you verified the trail is intact. I actually emailed the ranger because there is a 9 foot drop right in the middle of the trail as of the time of this review
| ThankI did the west side of the trail towards raptors ridge with the kids. Great beginners ride. Not alot of hills. Wide path for the kids not to run into anyone.
| ThankPleasant XC ride along the lake's edge. Ride includes singletrack, double track and some gravel paths. A few fun rocky spots for beginners or light intermediate types. The return through Del Dios Gorge requires some steady climbing, but nothing to discourage the moderately fit. I prefer it over the trails just south along the I-5 corridor.
| ThankHands down, the go-to BEGINNER area in San Diego County. There is very lil' technical challenge but the views can actually be pretty nice when the lake is full or even better, overflowing over the dam. Beware of a plethora of runners and families out here on the trails, especially on weekends.
| ThankFairly fun trail, mostly along the edge of the lake. Not much in terms of technical but there are a few fun parts. Pretty popular area for hikers, and common dog walkers so be on the lookout. Have fun!
| ThankI stared at the LH parking lot off of Lake dr on the north side. From there it's just under 5 miles to the dam. Single track for the first mile or so then mostly fire road from there. I rode past the dam and across the red/pedestrian bridge for another mile, all just fire road with some decent climbs to along the way. Hoping for more singletrack next timeby starting just east of the 15 fwy next time.
| Thankthis trail has everything you want or need. there are nice double and single tracks as long as easy fire roads that are fu t do on a sunday evening, but if you adventurous there are a couple nice single track tracks that can get challenging and there are a couple water crossings and steep drop offs and overall this is a very well trail and nice to do alot.
| Thankthis trail has everything you want or need. there are nice double and single tracks as long as easy fire roads that are fu t do on a sunday evening, but if you adventurous there are a couple nice single track tracks that can get challenging and there are a couple water crossings and steep drop offs and overall this is a very well trail and nice to do alot.
| ThankGreat workout. Bring plenty of water. You will be in direct sunlight im the morth side of the lake. There are rocks in some sections and some fun technical areas!
| ThankFun XC trails with some really nice sections of singletrack. There is some secret trails if you explore around. Great area for night riding.
| ThankLots of Doubletrack, Singletrack and Fire breaks to be explored. I put 12 miles for the trail length, but there is much more milage that you can put in out at the lake. watch out for the horses.
| ThankLake hodges is popular on the west side on the freeway for really good reasons. On the east side if you ride far enough you will hit Raptor mountain which is a sweet single track that trucks uphill for a good couple miles. When you get to the top there is picnic benches and a great view. if you really feel like a challenge you can keep going down the other side of the hill all the way to the 78, but beware you have to ride it back. The other side of the hill has pastors of cattle, dairies, horses, and orange groves for a couple miles. If you go there and back its 20 miles.* Review edited 6/9/2009
| ThankThe north side of the lake is extremely fast and fun singletrack. No tough climbs but just fast rolling forested singletrack with some small jumps. If you want climbing and the stream crossing, go to the north/east side of the lake which is mostly dry fire road and not that fun but there are little singletrack spurs everywhere. I would do a couple of out and backs to the dam and have a great time.
| Thank