Mule Hill Historical / San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Trail

Trailhead location: San Pasqual Valley, East of I-15. Near lake Hodges

Currently closed by the fires!

heading to the east, you can still ride towards Lake Hodges

Directions to Trail: Sunset Drive Trailhead: North on I-15, exit Via Rancho Parkway, go east. Take a right at Sunset Drive (first light) and drive to trailhead parking lot at the cul de sac or park along the street. This is the entrance that I have used.

For Ysabel Creek Trailhead: Follow directions for Highland Valley Road Trail; after turning from Pomerado onto Highland Valley Road, continue on Highland Valley Road for 4 miles, take left on Bandy Canyon Road to Ysabel Creek Road. Trailhead is on the corner.

For Hwy 78 Trailhead: Exit Via Rancho Parkway, go east. Take right on San Pasqual Valley Road. At intersection with Hwy 78, take a right, following the signs for the Wild Animal Park. Go 2.75 miles past the Wild Animal Park, cross over the bridge and take a right at Bandy Canyon Road. Take another right into the dirt lot, and follow the signs for the trailhead parking area.
Use: Hiking, Mountain Biking, or Horseback riding only.
Length: 10 miles one-way.
Vertical Climb: 324� low elevation to 760� high elevation the trail is generally flat, with one 400
Features: Historical resources; Proximity to agriculture; Pastoral views

Mule Hill & San Pasqual Valley Trail - Escondido - San Diego County
If you have been avoiding Lake Hodges because you feel it doesn't offer much of a challenge or excitement you should explore the San Pasqual Valley trail just east of the lake. Exit I-15 at Via Rancho Parkway, go right(east) off the ramp, turn right on Sunset, park at the end of cul-de-sac or park in the dirt lot behind the gas station. Head east on the Mule Hill trail past the historic Sikes Adobe Farmhouse. Follow that trail behind the Hodges Golf Improvement Center and then alongside Via Rancho Parkway continuing east for a short distance. Pick up the San Pasqual Valley trail heading south. The trail is pretty uneventful as you travel along side a creek on your right and farmland on your left for a couple of miles. Pass the San Dieguito River crossing and head north. About another mile you will be on a sweet 700ft singletrack climb to the Raptor Ridge lookout and then back down the other side. Cross a bridge, pass a dairy, until you reach the HWY 78/Brandy Canyon trailhead then head back.