Corral Mountain

Corral Mountain beckons, an off-road haven in the Cleveland National Forest, east of San Diego. Here, near the Mexican border, over 50 miles of trails sprawl across the rugged terrain. Corral Mountain offers challenges for everyone, from novice to expert off-roader. Some trails fit only motorcycles and small ATVs. Others welcome SUVs and trucks. Be warned, though. Corral Mountain’s trails vary from easy to extreme. Ensure you and your vehicle are prepared for the challenge. The summer sun can be brutal. Bring extra water, emergency gear, and a solid emergency plan. Or visit during the cooler months. Four Corners Trailhead is a great starting point. This is where Corral Canyon Road meets Los Pinos Road. Nearby, Bobcat Meadow Campground provides primitive camping. It’s first-come, first-served, with 20 sites and two vaulted toilets. Need gas? Pine Valley is about 12 miles west on I-8. For a detailed guide, grab “California Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails.” It covers Corral Canyon’s trails extensively. Note: Wildfires sometimes cause trail closures. Check the Cleveland National Forest website for updates before you head out. Seeking a moderate challenge? Try the Los Pinos Lookout Trail. This loop takes you to the western edge of Corral Canyon, near the Pine Creek and Hauser Wilderness areas. Start at Four Corners Trailhead. Head northeast, climbing to a manned fire lookout (open weekends, outside of COVID restrictions). The trail gets rougher as it descends, eventually forking. Take the left onto Espinosa Trail. Enjoy the stunning views of Corte Madera Mountain. After descending, the trail heads east then south. At the next fork, the main trail continues south onto Corte Madera Road. This merges with Skye Valley Road, bending east back towards the main Corral Canyon OHV network. You’ll pass the Bronco Peak trailhead here. The entire loop is about 18 miles and takes roughly 2.5 hours. For the truly adventurous, Corral Mountain boasts the Sidewinder Trail. This challenging route is a mile of almost continuous rock crawling. A modified vehicle is highly recommended. The trail starts south of Four Corners on Los Pinos Road. It ends near Bobcat Meadows Campground. This is a single-lane dirt road that quickly turns rocky. Watch for motorcycles crossing. There are often multiple routes to choose from. Some are easier than others. Another challenging option is the Bronco Peak Trail. This 2.7-mile adventure takes you up and over Bronco Peak. It’s steep, narrow, and has caused several rollovers. Approach with caution. The trailhead is an unmarked dirt road just past Bobcat Meadow Campground on Los Pinos Road. Again, a modified vehicle and off-road experience are essential. Lastly, there’s Gunslinger Trail. This moderate route runs between Skye Valley Road and Corte Madera Road. While generally moderate, it does have some steep sections and more aggressive side loops. Choose your path wisely. Corral Canyon connects to Bear Valley OHV via a trail for vehicles under 53 inches wide. Remember, fire danger is a constant. Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Bring a stove and consider a gas-fueled fire pit. For dispersed camping permits, contact the Descanso Ranger Station. Spark arresters are required year-round for OHVs. Corral Mountain awaits. Adventure calls.