2008-08-31: Mountain Springs stagecoach trail

[BorregoWrangler]

Steve (Thatsalexus?) and I met up in Santee at 7:30 then headed out on Interstate 8 towards Jacumba. It turned out to be a beautiful day and the weather was cool. After hitting the dirt and turning under the freeway towards Table Mountain, I made a few wrong turns until we figured out were we wanted to go. The trail heading down the grade turned out to be a bit rockier than I hand anticipated but wasn't anything we couldn't handle. After descending the loose, off-camber trail, we found a spring that I'm sure was used as the local watering hole. It was full as crawfish as well! Then just before we began to start up the grade, Steve spotted a large bighorn sheep walking down the trail toward us! Looks like he was heading to the spring. After taking a few pics we were on our way. We also ran into a few Jeeps making their way down. Soon we were back at the trailhead airing up. It was a great way to spend the morning. There are a number of other trails in the area that I'll have to check out. Oh, and thanks for showing me that cool campsite, Steve.

[cruiserlarry]

Great pictures - looks like a nice relaxing trail to take on a beautiful day...

But, unless I'm seeing things, it looks like Thatsalexus? is more like Thatsa4runner?

[unwiredadventures]

Looks like a great trip. I'd like to drive that trail someday.

Great photos!

[BorregoWrangler]

Great pictures - looks like a nice relaxing trail to take on a beautiful day...

But, unless I'm seeing things, it looks like Thatsalexus? is more like Thatsa4runner?

Yeah, he took his 4runner out on this one. I guess the Lexus is still recovering from the rubicon.

[THATSALEXUS?]

The weather really did outdo itself for us. It was perfect. It didn't get hot until we dropped all the way down into the lower desert near the highway. The dogs were happy to get to go for a ride as always although I didn't let them out much with all the Cholla around. I only wish I had something more to add photographically speaking. It wasn't much of a picture taking day.

I've run areas of this trail many times and figured it would be a perfect run for the 4Runner. As it turns out, this trail is about the limit for what you should attempt in a basically stock 4Runner with running boards Having an FJ80 with a 6" lift and 35" tires has a tendency to cause you to take a little too much for granted. The 4Runner sustained a slight scuff on one of the running board trim pieces going over a rock ( a little rock ) oh well.

All in all, it was a great way to spend the morning.

[BlueFJ]

Looks like you guys had a good time. I should've got my lazy @$$ outta bed and joined you!

[sdnative]

Thanks for the pictures guys. That is a beautiful area. I'd like to check out that spring someday.

[BorregoWrangler]

Here's some info I got on the area-

Its a historical trail. The pen area was for sheep. Those sheep actually wiped out the big horn population from diseases. The big horn were repopulated at a later date. The California historical marker for that trail is at mountain springs but its on private property.

Heres a pic from mountain springs lookin back long ago:



There was a photographer from around 1910 Ralph Stineman. His photgraphs are prob the only one avail to track that trail.

Heres some old picture matchups when the trail leaves mountain springs and goes into the desert.

http://www.jeepbbs.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12349" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OLLIE]

Looks like a fun day. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[taugust]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Sorry I missed it.

For a scenic and challenging run, I recommend heading west before dropping down and continuing to the edge of Carrizo Gorge. This has hill climbs, ridges, rocks, sand, and spectacular views back to I-8, and down into the Gorge. There are mines and other points of interest as well. It's an all-day, or maybe overnight run, but well worth it. Maybe I will put something together soon.