Sweetwater Reservoir
Trail Description
Sweetwater Reservoir is a great place to ride for mountain bikers of all levels. It features a wide variety of terrain and many options for ride lengths. The area is fairly hilly, however, so riders should expect to get a decent workout when riding here. There are 3 main trailheads for Sweetwater. One is on the Rancho San Diego side and the other two are on the Bonita/Eastlake side.
There are two main places where people park when starting the ride from the Rancho San Diego trailhead. One is in the dirt lot on the corner of Highway 94 and Singer Ln. The other is in the Edward's Cinemas parking lot in the shopping center across the street. I recommend the Edward's lot as there have been cases of vandalism in the dirt lot.
When you start riding, you'll want to ride across the old steel bridge and turn right onto the trail, riding in between the boulders to get onto the trail just after getting off the bridge. Continue on that trail as it twists and turns, following the river flowing toward the reservoir. It is relatively flat for the first mile or so and then you hit the first significant climb. From there it gets pretty hilly with about 3 other climbs to come and some fun fast downhills. Keep going straight without making any turns and you will end up on a fire road that runs alongside a lake. It then leaves the lake and if you continue straight on the fire road, you'll get to a dead end with a horse gate on the left. Go through the gate (close it behind you!) and you'll begin climbing again. There are now three routes you can take from here. If you stay to the left you'll end up climbing to a saddle just east of the infamous "shelter" or "tiki hut." Going to the far right will take you alongside the reservoir and will eventually climb up to the shelter. Going straight will take you up the new trails and eventually to the saddle that the left trail takes you to.
From each of these locations, there are many options to take. If you're getting tired, it might be a good idea to head back as you'll have a bit of climbing to do on the way back to the steel bridge. If you're looking for more fun, check out the map and pick a route! They're all pretty fun!
- Rancho San Diego Trailhead
There are two main places where people park when starting the ride from the Rancho San Diego trailhead. One is in the dirt lot on the corner of Highway 94 and Singer Ln. The other is in the Edward's Cinemas parking lot in the shopping center across the street. I recommend the Edward's lot as there have been cases of vandalism in the dirt lot.
When you start riding, you'll want to ride across the old steel bridge and turn right onto the trail, riding in between the boulders to get onto the trail just after getting off the bridge. Continue on that trail as it twists and turns, following the river flowing toward the reservoir. It is relatively flat for the first mile or so and then you hit the first significant climb. From there it gets pretty hilly with about 3 other climbs to come and some fun fast downhills. Keep going straight without making any turns and you will end up on a fire road that runs alongside a lake. It then leaves the lake and if you continue straight on the fire road, you'll get to a dead end with a horse gate on the left. Go through the gate (close it behind you!) and you'll begin climbing again. There are now three routes you can take from here. If you stay to the left you'll end up climbing to a saddle just east of the infamous "shelter" or "tiki hut." Going to the far right will take you alongside the reservoir and will eventually climb up to the shelter. Going straight will take you up the new trails and eventually to the saddle that the left trail takes you to.
From each of these locations, there are many options to take. If you're getting tired, it might be a good idea to head back as you'll have a bit of climbing to do on the way back to the steel bridge. If you're looking for more fun, check out the map and pick a route! They're all pretty fun!
