Completion of Escondido Trail in December 2013 opened up access to the eastern section of McDowell Mountain Park east of Lousley Hills. It also now provides a trail link between camping areas, Pemberton trailhead, and the competitive tracks, this makes for different loop options between pemberton and competitive tracks. This trail is a little more technical than the surrounding pemberton trails.
Escondido means “hidden”, which is a word of Spanish origin. This is an appropriate name. The access to the trail is not that obvious. There are 2 points of entry, 1 on Pemberton clockwise and a entrance off of Cinch Trail or easily accessed from 4 peaks staging area across from the competitive track parking. The trail has different rankings depending on the source. Some ranking is a Green or Beginner and I see it ranged Blue or Intermediate. To be safe I would rank this trail an "Easy Intermediate". Technical features are not found but there is some exposure , loose rock and twisty wash crossings. There is a good deal of extended moderate climbing that can work your hear beat. I have ridden this trail in both directions.
The counter clock wise (access from pemberton) has less overall climbing but has a few steeper sections that will require higher effort to complete the climbs. The clock wise direction has more overall climbing but it is more moderate except for a few steep climbs out of washes at the end. It is a drag to ride back to Pemberton (false flat) on the way back.
I love this trail because it feels like real mountain bike riding as compared to the pemberton trail is is 80% groomed double track for the most part. You have some good flow and climbs and do feel like you are out in the middle of nowhere.
The trail is 6.2 miles long one way and AEG roughly 650 feet depending on information source.
Here are the stats from MTB Project. If you are looking to spice up your ride loop then Escondido trail will do this. You get a little more tech on this trail then the general Pemberton trails.
Until Next Time
Lee
