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Lilac Miners Peak Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.0 (35)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …San Diego
  5. Black Mountain Open Space
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“This route is seven miles with a good amount of elevation gain. ”

Kevin Stiffler
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Map Key

7.8

Miles

12.6

KM

75%

Singletrack

1,554' 474 m

High

634' 193 m

Low

1,054' 321 m

Up

1,054' 321 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Family Friendly There's a large park with fields and playgrounds at the trailhead and easier trails accessible from same trailhead.

Overview

This lollipop with an extended spur makes for a great 2-4 hour out-and-back ride that's well marked, includes lung and leg bursting climbing, followed by enough rowdy descending to make it worthwhile.

This hiker/biker/dog-shared route is ridden counter-clockwise to help manage the use. Multiple 'bail-out' points such as fire roads and alternate trailhead parking lots make this a great route to challenge your limits with increased ease and safety.

Need to Know

Bring plenty of water as the trail gets lots of sun, and please share the trail with other users.

Description

The trail is generally well-marked with clear signage at almost every intersection. Extending the Miners Loop for the additional counter-clockwise Black Mountain summit loop means turning off the singletrack up fire road for a short section that is not as well-marked, so keep your eyes peeled. A well-traveled path and the MTB Project mobile app made navigating this section fairly easy.

The trail is ridden-in well, and designed using modern trail building techniques consisting of smooth, flowy hardpack along natural ridgeline terrain. Berms and some bits and bops of technical rocks and man-made chunk are thrown in throughout. These combined with tight switchbacks, punchy climbs, fast rolling sections, technical features on the side of the trail that are optional, and steady sustained climbing make for an engaging experience for most of the way up.

Turning off the singletrack and onto the fire road for the final push to Black Mountain summit changed the tune of the ride - the final section consisted of baseball-to-melon-sized loose rocks on a fairly steep incline, making this section's climb and descent more unforgiving than the majority of the trail.

Once you've taken in the views from the summit of Black Mountain it's time to double-back. Follow the road down, dodging those large rocks as best as possible and then turn left on the Nighthawk Trail followed by the next left on the Miner Ridge Loop to Nighthawk Trail. You'll find yourself at the southern end of the Miner Ridge Loop.

This time, hang a right to complete the counter-clockwise loop you started earlier. The way down includes fast singletrack and a few section so of stair-step drops that make for a fun and rowdy descent. Where the "lollipop" portion of Miner's Ridge Loop Trail connects back to the stem, riders could head to the left for another climb that would lead to a steep and fast descent on the Glider Point Trail. Or, keep straight (as mapped) to descend to the Lilac Canyon Trail and then the Ahwee Trail to return to the start of the ride.

Contacts

Local Club: San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)

Land Manager: City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation

Shared By:

Kevin Stiffler
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 35 votes

#1

in Black Mountain Open Space

#657

Overall
  4.0 from 35 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
63%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Black Mountain Open Space

#92

in California

#657

Overall
116 Views Last Month
22,668 Since Apr 10, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
2%
2%
20%
22%
54%
0%
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Photos

Some of the rock features found on the Miner Ridge Loop provide quite a challenge.
Dec 15, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
Lilac Miners Peak Loop overlooking out to 4s Ranch. Narrow trail, but the lower half is so much fun!
Feb 12, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
Optional Technical Feature: Log Ride installed on side of trail.
Dec 15, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
From the top of Night Hawk Trail where it meets the fire road. Views are great from here to the top.
Jul 9, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
Junction of Night Hawk Trail and Miner's Ridge. Short rocky climb up to the fireroad to the top.
Jul 9, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
Dense fog often clouds the view from Black Mountain in the early morning.
Dec 15, 2016 near Fairban…, CA

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jun 5, 2024
Dillon Oergel
First entry trail is cruiser, start of lilac loop is tough with steep and chunky switchbacks, miner's loop part is fun as fuck downhill, keep speed 7.8mi
Apr 22, 2023
Devlin Rambo
Apr 1, 2023
Paulos Liu
Pretty awesome trail. Some parts are muddy cause of the recent rain but mostly very rideable — 2h 15m
Oct 23, 2022
Alex vonKluck
Dec 22, 2021
Susie Mun
Nov 25, 2021
Jon Geller
Sep 19, 2021
Nick Pierret
Jun 22, 2021
Samuel Frederick

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