Update on MTRP East Elliot Trails and Marines

July 27th, I rode East Elliot with the Marine's approval. As a local rider (I live in Del Cerro), President of SDMBA, our Mission Trails Trail User CAC Representative and MCAS liaison I wanted to see what has been taking place. East Elliot is ground zero for many of us and the reason I became an advocate.

Without a long explanation, there is a Mission Trails Master Plan which includes up to 30 miles of NEW trail close to being submitted to the San Diego City Council for approval. East Elliot is part of this plan which has so many of our favorite trails.

There is a weird situation in East Elliot right now. Technically, nothing north of 52 is legal. However, there are trails people are hiking, running and riding without concern for tickets but there are also other areas people are using where fines and consequences are high. As an organization, this is a tough situation for us since nothing is technically legal. Therefore, if you DO decide to ride/hike/run this area, avoid the areas below.

• Three Barrels - AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!! Half of the trail crosses onto MCAS land. Last year several riders had their bikes confiscated at the top. The Marines will soon be installing a large sign in the middle of the trail. I rode it today, this trail has heavy useage. Stop riding it - you could lose your bike, get a $500 fine and have a federal misdemeanor on your record.
• Bracelet/Tractor Tread - AVOID! Every inch of this trail is on MCAS land. I rode it today - no one is riding it!
• Extra Credit 1 and 2 aka Herbivore and Carnivore - AVOID! These eastern Spring Canyon trails are well marked by MCAS and are not being ridden.
• Spring Canyon - do not go past the MCAS sign - it's about 2/3rds of the way up and impossible to miss.
• There are two primary connector trails between Oak and Spring. Both of these are scheduled to be rerouted once the MPU is in place. As of now, these connector trails will not cause any tickets.
  • Teote/Slant is the first western trail going up Spring. The MPU would keep most of the trail but moves it upslope to avoid the riparian habitat. The upper section would include a bypass to avoid the nasty road climb.
  • Mr Toads. The Marines are planning to move their MCAS boundary sign north of Mr. Toads. They will not patrol anything south of that sign (down Oak Canyon). Whatever you do - avoid anything north of Mr. Toad's either on the ridge or in Oak canyon.

Once again, nothing north of 52 is legal but we realize people are using this area. This area is highly visible and MCAS is very much patrolling - SDMBA felt it important to clarify boundaries. We expect good news regarding the MTRP MPU shortly! Legal trails are the only viable solution. Until then, be careful and be smart.

Kevin Loomis - President, SDMBA