11.1 miles
Distance
1,806 ft
Climb
-1,822 ft
Descent
1,318 ft
High Point
-14 ft
Altitude change
388 ft
Altitude min
403 ft
Altitude start
390 ft
Altitude end
-38.7%
Grade max
57.1%
Grade min
5 miles
Distance climb
5 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat

"What goes up, must come down. Spinning wheel, got to go round," as the old song goes and you couldn't find a better description of this route. You'll do a lot of going up, quite steeply as it happens. And you'll certainly go down, all the while trying to keep your wheels going around, a difficult thing to do given all the loose rocks and steep terrain.

You'll start with the long, steep, and rocky climb up Los Cielos Preserve Trail. It's a tough path filled with loose rocks and only the best riders will be able to do it cleanly. More rocky climbing then awaits you on Equine Incline before you head east toward Lake Hodges Overlook Loop where you'll find technical and demanding riding along with great views of the nearby lakes. You'll then reach the highlight of the route: the wild and rowdy descent down The Way Up Trail, which is filled with rock ledges, rock drops, and tight switchbacks that leave you hooting and smiling. Too soon, the fun is over and it's time to work your way back to the car, keeping your wheels spinning the whole way, of course.

A few things to note:

1. The route is suitable for advanced riders and consists of trails rated blue and black. Intermediate riders can still enjoy the trail if they're willing to walk the tougher sections.

2. A bell should be considered mandatory here. The trails are filled with hikers, especially on weekends, and sightlines are limited. Please use extreme care descending The Way Up Trail because it's jammed with people. Watch your speed and be courteous. If possible, ride on a weekday so it isn't so crowded.

3. You'll need to cross Escondido Creek near the end of the ride. It's usually just a trickle of water but storms can turn it into a raging torrent that isn't to be trifled with. Instead, turn around and use the bridge and take Harmony Grove Road back to the car.

4. All the trails are sanctioned and legal. Have fun

Detailed Description
Spinning Wheel is a 11 mile popular expert route located near Escondido California. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 15 trails. This route climbs 1,806 ft with a max elevation of 1,318 ft then descends -1,822 ft.

Trail Issues on Route

  • Minor Issue / Yellow: 3 trails (newest: Nov 20, 2024)
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
San Diego Mountain Biking Association (sdmba.com)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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Stats

  • Distance
    11 miles
  • Avg time
    1 hr 8 min
  • Altitude min
    388 ft
  • Altitude start
    403 ft
  • Altitude end
    390 ft
  • Climb
    1,806 ft
  • Descent
    -1,822 ft
  • Grade max
    -38.7%
  • Grade min
    57.1%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    5 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile

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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Hard
  • Ridelogs
    1

Directions

  1. Bike south on Los Cielos Preserve Access Trail.
  2. Continue for 300 meters.
  3. Bike northeast on Escondido Sewer Easement Access Rd.
  4. Continue for 500 meters.
  5. Turn right onto Los Cielos Preserve Trail.
  6. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  7. Bike southeast on Los Cielos Preserve Trail.
  8. Continue for 70 meters.
  9. Turn right onto Equine Incline.
  10. Continue for 900 meters.
  11. Bike east on Equine Incline.
  12. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  13. Bike north on Equine Incline.
  14. Continue for 400 meters.
  15. Bike southwest on Equine Incline.
  16. Continue for 200 meters.
  17. Bike northeast on Equine Incline.
  18. Continue for 100 meters.
  19. Bike northeast on Equine Incline.
  20. Continue for 100 meters.
  21. Make a sharp right onto Chaparral Trail.
  22. Continue for 200 meters.
  23. Bike east on Chaparral Trail.
  24. Continue for 100 meters.
  25. Bike southeast on Chaparral Trail.
  26. Continue for 10 meters.
  27. Bike northeast on Tyke's Hike.
  28. Continue for 30 meters.
  29. Bike north on Quail Trail.
  30. Continue for 200 meters.
  31. Bike southeast on Quail Trail.
  32. Continue for 200 meters.
  33. Bike southeast on Ridgeline Maintenance Road.
  34. Continue for 500 meters.
  35. Bike east on Ridgeline Maintenance Road.
  36. Continue for 300 meters.
  37. Bear right onto Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  38. Continue for 100 meters.
  39. Bike southwest on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  40. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  41. Bike east on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  42. Continue for 400 meters.
  43. Bike southwest on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  44. Continue for 700 meters.
  45. Bike northwest on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  46. Continue for 600 meters.
  47. Bike southwest on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  48. Continue for 500 meters.
  49. Bear left onto Hodges Overlook Shortcut.
  50. Continue for 300 meters.
  51. Bear left onto Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  52. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  53. Bike west on Lake Hodges Overlook Loop.
  54. Continue for 50 meters.
  55. Bear left onto Ridgeline Maintenance Road.
  56. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  57. Bike south on Quail Trail.
  58. Continue for 200 meters.
  59. Turn right onto Ridgeline Maintenance Road.
  60. Continue for 100 meters.
  61. Bike northwest on The Way Up Trail.
  62. Continue for 80 meters.
  63. Bike north on The Way Up Trail.
  64. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  65. Bike southwest on Los Cielos - Elfin Connector.
  66. Continue for 300 meters.
  67. Bike northwest on Los Cielos - Elfin Connector.
  68. Continue for 500 meters.
  69. Bike southwest on Escondido Sewer Easement Access Rd.
  70. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  71. Bike southeast on Escondido Sewer Easement Access Rd.
  72. Continue for 500 meters.
  73. Bike west on Escondido Sewer Easement Access Rd.
  74. Continue for 50 meters.
  75. Turn right onto Los Cielos Preserve Access Trail.
  76. Continue for 300 meters.
Avg: 3.65 (3 votes)
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    Recent Trail Reports Along Route

    statustraildateconditiondescription
    Quail Trail
    Jun 22, 2025 @ 6:30am
    Jun 22, 2025
    Chaparral Trail
    Apr 26, 2025 @ 6:30am
    Apr 26, 2025
    OutFall Road
    Dec 1, 2024 @ 1:41pm
    Dec 1, 2024
    Lake Hodges Overlook Loop
    Nov 20, 2024 @ 10:30am
    Nov 20, 2024
    		Mostly clear but some of the usual loose rock sections
    Los Cielos Preserve Trail
    Apr 21, 2024 @ 7:36am
    Apr 21, 2024
    more reports »
    • By Jmlascala71TF Pro SDMBA SDMBA-BP & contributors
    • #33511 - 1,787 views

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