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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...


view from the road below (Centre City or 395... not sure which it is at that point)


coming down...


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


Looking down from near the top


Looking up close to the top

more....

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




That would be Palomar way in the background




the view northbound from the Lilac Bridge

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



and this guy had a really bad day



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

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

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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!!!

merider1

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

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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!

merider1

+1!

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

jsigone

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

BigSean

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

jsigone

thanks

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

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

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

t~

jschen

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

If I did that, his paint jobs would look so bad that no one would ever give him business again.

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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

huh! you're the sandbagger...

BigSean

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.

jsigone

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.



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

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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!!! 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

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?

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

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... besides... it's a poor man's mercedes.. fun anyway though