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Mission Trails

Quick and Fun Mission Trails Loop

Spring Canyon

Don't have time for a 2-3 hour ride but still want to get out and have some fun? Here's a great little loop for you.
It starts at the East end of Mission Trails. Park in the dirt lot on the corner of Father Junipero Serra Trail and Bushy Hill Dr.

From there, ride down the road into the park and go through the gate on the right about 300 yards down the road.

You'll drop down through a shaded valley and cross over two small bridges before heading back up and you'll end up in a wide open grasslands area. This is a major junction with many trails intersecting here.

Keep to the right and head toward the overpass that you see in the distance. Stay on the fireroad that goes under this overpass and you will be heading into Spring Canyon.

About 100 yards after you pass under the overpass, you'll see the fireroad take a Y to the left. Stay to the right there and in another 20 yards or so you'll see a singletrack trail going off the fireroad to the left. Take that trail. It is a fun little trail that winds around, taking you further into Spring Canyon.

After a short distance, you'll reach a junction that looks like this. Take a left here and follow the trail into this side canyon. It will wind up the canyon, gradually leading uphill.

After about one mile you'll reach the end of the canyon and see a T in the trail. Take a left here and you'll head up to the top of the canyon. There are about 5 switchbacks that you'll go through before you hit the fireroad at the top. When you reach this fireroad, turn right and head up a short hill. You'll be amazed by the view at the top and how fast you climbed up! Here's what the trail looks like from above.

At the top of the hill the fireroad will head slightly to the right, then split into a Y. Take a right at the Y and prepare for some fun! The road heads downhill back in the direction of where you started. Be careful, however, as there are plenty of loose rocks on this fireroad. Keep going straight and the fireroad will continue downhill. It will get very skinny essentially turns into singletrack as you continue downhill. The trail then takes a turn to the right and you head along the hillside, dropping back down to the T where you started the switchback climb. Once you hit that T, just take a left and head back the same way you came. The way back is an awesome twisty, turny downhill that will be sure to put a smile on your face.Be safe and enjoy! If you have anything to add, be sure to leave some feedback on the Contact page.

Spring & Oak Canyon Criss-Cross

Ready to put in some more miles and see more trails? Try out this ride! You'll start the same way as the last ride, heading up that first canyon on your left in Spring Canyon. Ride up the switchbacks and when you get to the fireroad at the top, turn right just like you did on the other trail. When you get to the Y in the fireroad, though, turn left rather than turning right and heading downhill. Turn left here and ride another 300 yards or so till you see this trail leading off to the left:

This trail will take you on an exciting downhill into Oak Canyon. Prepare for a wild ride as there are lots of rocks toward the beginning and many creek crossings (basically ditches) across the trail toward the bottom. As you ride on this trail, it will start to level out toward the bottom and you'll reach a junction that looks like this. Turn right here

Continue on this trail to the right as you follow along an old creek up Oak Canyon. At one point the trail will head to the right, but it is well marked by a huge branch on the ground pointing you in the right direction. You'll continue to snake around and will hit another Y in the trail that looks like this. Turn right here again.

This trail will take you up a side canyon of Oak Canyon and you'll follow it along all the way to the top fireroad where you turned into Oak Canyon originally. It is a great trail that includes some fun and challenging switchbacks toward the end right before you reach the fireroad. Here is what you will reach at the top:

When you hit the fireroad, stop! You'll be plenty tired from climbing and you deserve a water break! When well rested, take a left at the triangle to head downhill. Watch your speed on this as it is a bit rocky and often hard to slow down!

About 100 yards down this fireroad, you'll see a tail leading off to the left. Take this trail and you'll head back down into Spring Canyon. This trail is often referred to as "3 Barrels" or "Rusty Barrels" and in my opinion, it's one of the best downhills at Mission Trails. Prepare for loads of fun on this trail! It's the reward for all the climbing you've done. Take this trail all the way down till you reach the 3 rusty barrels at the bottom and take a right to head back toward the grasslands and out to the road.
Hope you enjoy this one, these are some of my favorite trails in the park!