Mt. Murder and other stuff

[tprevost]

I was driving routes today (trying to figure out a new one that wouldn't kill me) and I got a couple pics of the front (west) side of Mt. Murder...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics001.jpg
view from the road below (Centre City or 395... not sure which it is at that point)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics007.jpg
coming down...


I also found another really steep/killer hill ... its only about 1 mile but it averages 15% w/a few 20% areas...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics032.jpg
Looking down from near the top

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics036.jpg
Looking up close to the top

more....

[tprevost]

here are few shots from one of the routes Dog Hair was talking about when we get you peeps over here...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics018.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics013.jpg
That would be Palomar way in the background

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics014.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics010.jpg
the view northbound from the Lilac Bridge

[tprevost]

... and here is where I do my stalking (Shhhhhh....,)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics042.jpg

and this guy had a really bad day :(
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics022.jpg


... and clearly I need to get a life! :rolleyes: ... just thought I'd share :p

[jsigone]

I was sure the back side was steeper, but never got enough time to explore in my car. I think Mo spent some time up there exploring but on his BIKE so I know he was hurtin good. I never road beyond hte golf course.

But looking at pics of the front just gave me some flashbacks from the other day:cry:

[tprevost]

I was sure the back side was steeper, but never got enough time to explore in my car. I think Mo spent some time up there exploring but on his BIKE so I know he was hurtin good. I never road beyond hte golf course.

But looking at pics of the front just gave me some flashbacks from the other day:cry:


the back side probably is steeper, now that I think about it... but I wanted to make sure you got credit for your great feat!!! That is one BIG hill!!! :p

[merider1]

I'm glad you shared, Trac. Great shots. Where is Mt. Murder??

[tprevost]

I'm glad you shared, Trac. Great shots. Where is Mt. Murder??


its on the north end of Escondido (north San Diego County)

[jschen]

We need a group ride sometime so that someone can show me these climbs! :D

[merider1]

We need a group ride sometime so that someone can show me these climbs! :D
+1!

[tprevost]

We need a group ride sometime so that someone can show me these climbs! :D


There are a LOT of hills around Valley Center/Fallbrook/Temecula... it would keep you busy for a while ;)

[jsigone]

We need a group ride sometime so that someone can show me these climbs! :D

Mt Murder starts 3.5 miles from my house. Mild climb up Jesmond Dean to get to the base of that "hill"
Scary part, there's steeper stuff in the back. I hit this one hill bout 1/8 mile long but STEEP, my car had a hard time going up this bugger:eek:

[BigSean]

+1!


Oh-oh, Im in trouble. Im off to go train before M.E comes to town.:eek:

[jsigone]

the back side probably is steeper, now that I think about it... but I wanted to make sure you got credit for your great feat!!! That is one BIG hill!!! :p


thanks:D

Didn't help much I rode the next day with the SS up Mull Hill on the hodges ride:o

[tprevost]

We need a group ride sometime so that someone can show me these climbs! :D



... then you'd better go assist Dog Hair so he can start riding again! ;)

[tprevost]

thanks:D

Didn't help much I rode the next day with the SS up Mull Hill on the hodges ride:o

is mule hill the road that goes up to Hodges? If so, that's tough one too! And on a SS :eek: I just wanna get my new mtn bike so I can ride up in Daley Ranch!!!

t~

[jschen]

Mt Murder starts 3.5 miles from my house. Mild climb up Jesmond Dean to get to the base of that "hill"
Scary part, there's steeper stuff in the back. I hit this one hill bout 1/8 mile long but STEEP, my car had a hard time going up this bugger:eek:
We'll have to ride together near your home sometime. I'm getting a bit bored of climbing Mt Soledad to stay comfortable with steep grades.

[jschen]

... then you'd better go assist Dog Hair so he can start riding again! ;)
If I did that, his paint jobs would look so bad that no one would ever give him business again. :(

[tprevost]

We'll have to ride together near your home sometime. I'm getting a bit bored of climbing Mt Soledad to stay comfortable with steep grades.


Jason, if you ride up mule hill (assuming it's the hill I think it is) and Mt Murder, then run up 395 for a while, coming back via rice canyon/couser canyon... you'll get a TON of climbing in! Even though you don't know exactly where I'm talking about... I'm sure jsigone and Mo'Phat do... pics #1-3 on my second post are of couser canyon....

plus, all of this is right off the 15, so easy access if you start from North Escondido ;)

[merider1]

Oh-oh, Im in trouble. Im off to go train before M.E comes to town.:eek:
huh! you're the sandbagger...
;)

[BigSean]

huh! you're the sandbagger...
;)


You must think I havent been paying attention to all these big rides and climbs you do every week. I got my eye on you, I can see whats going on here. Ill be prepared, well as much as I can be in the next month and a half.:p

[jsigone]

is mule hill the road that goes up to Hodges? If so, that's tough one too! And on a SS :eek: I just wanna get my new mtn bike so I can ride up in Daley Ranch!!!

t~

If you park at the Mall to start your MTB ride, Mull Hill is going to the East towards Wild Animal Park. Its flat for 4.5miles then a 3/4 mile steep clkimb. It basically the Highland Valley Hill, same elevation gain +- 10ft or so but shorter and a bit steeper and on a single track about 18-30" wide with a steep drop off on your left and the hill on your right. I've had a couple freinds tumble 10-15feet down that steep drop from lossing momentum on the climbs and not able to clip out and exiting the bike on the wrong side of the trail. I can do this climb in 7 1/2 minutes with the SS and getting a few seconds faster each time. The DH is like a rollercoaster, very smooth and lots of flow.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/MTB/Mullhill.jpg

Bernardo's Peak is the BEAST, going to the West starting from the mall, this is that huge hill you see off the 15 looking over Lake Hodges. This is a CLIMB!!!! Even with gears, its sheer torture. First 1/2 is mellow rollers, there's a shortcut you can take that start right at the climb. From here up takes about 20 minutes w/ gears on a GOOD day. The beginning part of that climb is mellow, when you hit the fence pole get ready to grind. You have to climb througha tunnel of trees, all low, giant rut (bout 1ft deep 18" wide at the most) so you have to ride the 4-6" on either side of the rut up this climb over roots and rocks. Make a small slip and you are in the rut or get snagged up by the trees. I'm 6'2 and there's BARELY room for me. I havn't made a trip up there W/O getting a cut on my arms from the trees.

When you hit the 1st turn after the tunnel, theres a good size flat spot to get your footing and a lil speed for the next section, steep incline, about 50 yards long with rock and ruts going down the middle, used to be a fire road. Traction sucks but stay left.

Next switch back is flat through a tunnel of trees then you hit the next turn, gotta ride over the deep rut losing what lil speed you had and grind up through another small tunnel section, starts getting a lil steep here but can't get off the seat cuz the trees. After the trees, the trail narrows to about 12" wide and STEEP, I'm talking about 45*+ here no lie. goes for about 40 yards then flat spot for the next switch back. The hill isn't as steep here but your legs will be on fire here a this climb isn't a easy, steep over a rocky section for about 20 yards and spits out into another tunnel climb with giant rut. Get to here and you are at the water tower YEPPIE but not done yet. Get some speed at water tower, this climb is about 45*+ over rocky loose stuff, I bashed my knees on the stem cuz of traction. Get to the top of the fence line and follow it to the next two switch back and sitback and enjoy the view. The gain from the creek to the summit is about 650ft

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/MTB/BernardoPeak.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/MTB/BernardoPeakMap.jpg

[tprevost]

Okay, so it sounds like I've got a guide for my next jaunt down that way....! I've only gone east to where it turns into the narrower single track (so in other words, the flat part!) and going west, I've just putz'd around the first few miles (crossed the creek and then a bit further) ... nothing that qualifies as a leg burner though! Our last house was right next to that new retirement home on Bear Valley so I'm very familiar with where those trails are... I didn't connect the mule hill name w/those trails because I was thinking "ROAD" not either/or ;) HOWEVER, when Jason shows up, I think you should have him do hill repeats on that hill that goes up to daley ranch ;) ... or mt. murder, either one!

So, I will expect a guided tour (preferably west-bound, as I am not very coordinated!) when my mtn bike shows up!!! :D Perhaps I can drag a few other peeps w/me!

didn't know you were a tour guide, did ya? ;)

ps. thank you for the detailed info... I never realized what all was beyond the points at which I stopped!

[jschen]

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i104/tprevost/Ride%20Routes/routepics042.jpg
Is that a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament that I see there? I thought you said your husband doesn't mind you shopping at the bike store because at least it's cheaper than the Mercedes dealership. But you decided to go there, too? How are you hiding this purchase? :p

[tprevost]

Is that a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament that I see there? I thought you said your husband doesn't mind you shopping at the bike store because at least it's cheaper than the Mercedes dealership. But you decided to go there, too? How are you hiding this purchase? :p

I think he's afraid I'll go back and get another one :rolleyes:

[tprevost]

I think he's afraid I'll go back and get another one :rolleyes:
... besides... it's a poor man's mercedes.. fun anyway though :p

[jsigone]

the hill to Daley is a short burner, good thing it's short cuz the top has nasty pitch. But add the typical Daley heat off 95+ it takes its toll on the body. Then have to climb into the ranch itself

[Grumpy Pig]

I went out there this morning to look for the route but couldn't find it. I rode up to a golf course and asked a couple at one of those cart crossings but they said I couldn't get from the golf course back to Lawrence Welk's unless I turned around. Then I tried a road called Hidden Meadows or Hidden Hills but it seeemed to dead end near a residential development. I called my wife to get directions but she didn't answer so I just went home. Funny thing is that I used the phone but forgot that there's program on it called Tele Nav that I've never used. Oh well, maybe next Friday. I took this picture from above (west) the golf course. Is the road between the trees the road I was looking for?

[jsigone]

glad you got a chance to ride it. I dont' know anything about the back side, I need to do some more exploring myself to find the route.

[Grumpy Pig]

glad you got a chance to ride it. I dont' know anything about the back side, I need to do some more exploring myself to find the route.It looks as though there are some really steep hills behind Lawrence Welk's going up to those big houses.

I used to have a girlfriend that lived in Jesmond Dene and I spent a lot of time out there but that's been close to 30 years. We used to have to cross a wood bridge to get to her house. In wet years, the bridge would go out and we'd have to go out to Deer Springs Rd. and circle back to Escondido.

Where is the Lake Hodges water tower in relation to the dam?

[jsigone]

the Bernardo Peak aka Water tower can be seen from the 15. I'ts about 3-4 miles from the Parking lot starting near the mall, Most of which is flat. Then the climb.

[tprevost]

I went out there this morning to look for the route but couldn't find it. I rode up to a golf course and asked a couple at one of those cart crossings but they said I couldn't get from the golf course back to Lawrence Welk's unless I turned around. Then I tried a road called Hidden Meadows or Hidden Hills but it seeemed to dead end near a residential development. I called my wife to get directions but she didn't answer so I just went home. Funny thing is that I used the phone but forgot that there's program on it called Tele Nav that I've never used. Oh well, maybe next Friday. I took this picture from above (west) the golf course. Is the road between the trees the road I was looking for?


if you went up hidden meadows, you went up the front side of Mt. Murder ... there are lots of hills back behind it too; supposedly harder ones...

[Grumpy Pig]

if you went up hidden meadows, you went up the front side of Mt. Murder ... there are lots of hills back behind it too; supposedly harder ones...
Oh. I thought it would be longer. It was steep and I was huffing and puffing but as soon as I got into a rhythm, I saw the top of the hill.

It was a pretty decent ride. I got caught in some commuter traffic near the house but still managed to have a nice Sunday breakfast. Helped a woman fix her bike, lost a water water bottle on a bumpy road and still managed to get home in time for the Charger game.

[Tiffanie]

Nice breakfast Frank! :lol:

[Mo'Phat]

In and around Lawrence Welk, there's a number of climbs up to the Valley Center plateau...Mt. Murder (aka Mountain Meadows) road leads up to a golf course, residential development, and many signs that say 'no outlet'. I'm sure there are outlets, but seeing as how you're at the top of the hill, and risk going all the way down to a closed/locked gate and have to come back up...well that doesn't sound too fun.

Mountain Meadows is just a burn. It's just long and steep enough to feel like forever, but it's totally doable, as GrumpyPig said, when you get in a rhythm and just start going. Just expect some hurt.

Way down just North of the main entrance to Lawrence Welk is a road called Welk View drive which has a sign that says something like 18% for the next 3 miles, but is closed to vehicular traffic and just switchbacks up the side of the mountain.

I actually mapped a loop that would do Mountain Meadows and back down Welk View, then South on Champagne to Mtn. Meadows in a counter-clockwise loop...then reverse the loop. The Clockwise way looks to be much harder. GrumpyPig...why don't you try this out for us: Toporoute (http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=PPAQJGVTBSOOAOP)

Also, Jschen and others...here's a map thingamabob I found that has the majority of the San Diego climbs listed, with distances and elevations...Also route slips of manymanymany routes throughout San Diego.

Click on the Map of the Climbs of San Diego (http://www.kimberlygross.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=459665), courtesy of www.kimberlygross.com (http://www.kimberlygross.com)


***edited for early morning idiocy.

[Mo'Phat]

Also, looking on the satellite map, there's plenty of houses out there, so it's accessible, and the signs are probably just deterrents to hooligans like us.

[jsigone]

I know there's gota be a way through there. If I get bored tomorrow and legs are feeling good, I'll go and explore a bit. I need to make a run to the bike shop, I forgot to get a new MTB chain on Friday. Is MTB Werehouse still open in San Marcos? Or I might go to the Trek store and see if they have the SRAM chains.

[Grumpy Pig]

looks to be much harder. GrumpyPig...why don't you try this out for us: Toporoute (http://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=PPAQJGVTBSOOAOP)I'll give it a try next Friday or Sunday. Looks like you turn in at the main entrance to LWs? At the gas station? I'll give it a try. The worst that can happen is I get to a private road and have to turn around. Or they arrest me and throw me in a cell w/o internet access so I can't post a ride report.

[Mo'Phat]

I know there's gota be a way through there. If I get bored tomorrow and legs are feeling good, I'll go and explore a bit. I need to make a run to the bike shop, I forgot to get a new MTB chain on Friday. Is MTB Werehouse still open in San Marcos? Or I might go to the Trek store and see if they have the SRAM chains.

I got a (probably way too expensive, 'cause I really didn't know what I was getting) SRAM chain from Hi-Tech Bikes. The PC-991 Hollow Pin one.

I don't think San Marcos is open anymore...there's one in Vista (http://bicyclewarehouse.com/page.cfm?pageId=12&storeId=5).

[Tiffanie]

Or they arrest me and throw me in a cell w/o internet access so I can't post a ride report.

:lol:

[jsigone]

yah I heard they moved to Vista, which is about 1/2 mile from Performance.

I can't afford the hollow pin ones, plus I'm not sure if I can trust that on the MTB.

[Grumpy Pig]

I tried to go up Welk View today but there are gates on both ends. So I went up to Mountain Meadows to see if it continued to Old Castle but had no luck. Past the golf course there are a few rollers but nothing steep for about 4 miles where there is a steep downhill with a 15mph and No Outlet signs. This downhill makes an almost immediate sharp right so I couldn't see very far. I turned around there.

For some reason, today's climb up Mountain Meadows just beat me down. That was the reason I didn't have much sense of adventure past the golf course.

Next time I might look on Old Castle but the maps show that the roads are dirt or unimproved. I was hoping that some nice developer had cut and paved a smooth asphalt road but so far, it doesn't look like it.

[jsigone]

Glad you had another crack at hitting that hill after you probs w/ the bike yesturday. That hill is a good burner for sure.

[Mo'Phat]

It's deceiving, isn't it? You think, "Sure, it's only 9 or 10 percent, but it's short..." Either I haven't found the legs for it or it's harder than it looks.

Frank: If you were out Sunday morning, we probably passed each other. I took Jesmond Dene to Old Castle, looped around Valley Center, and back down Old Castle.

[Grumpy Pig]

It's deceiving, isn't it? You think, "Sure, it's only 9 or 10 percent, but it's short..." Either I haven't found the legs for it or it's harder than it looks.

Frank: If you were out Sunday morning, we probably passed each other. I took Jesmond Dene to Old Castle, looped around Valley Center, and back down Old Castle.No, I went up through the base to San Clemente.