The East Mesa Loop begins with the Eastside, Westside, and Upper Green Valley Trails. This ride actually took place in this specific order. Click below to see a different leg.

Out of all the places I'd been, none were like East Mesa. Cuyamaca Peak, Stonewall Peak, Middle Peak, and Oakzanita Peak all jutted skyward at the edge of a perfectly flat grassy surface, not unlike four hungry people seated for dinner. Mesa (table in Spanish) was the appropriate name. The East Mesa ride will be shared on the next four pages.

Perfect weather was what the weather girl had said...and she had been correct. We are pretty harsh on these weather forecasters around here, but this day she had nailed it.

Cuyamaca, Stonewall Peaks and Descanso Valley

Driving through the Descanso Valley had once again exposed Cuyamaca Park to the lens of my camera. It was clear and sunny when I passed George's (my next oldest brother) house on Highway 79. Yet, it was cool and crisp when I got out of Cindy's car a couple miles further at the East Mesa Trailhead. Only one vehicle was there at 7:30, but I still pulled up close behind him, knowing this place was going to be crowded in an hour or so.

It usually takes me ten to fifteen minutes to get everything ready once I have arrived. If I hurry I usually end up forgetting something ... like my gloves, or camera, or phone, or GPS, or something.

One time I drove to Mission Trails and forgot my helmet. I was going to spend most of the day working on my trail, so I just rode real slow to my work site and was real careful coming back (I am paranoid about wearing my helmet as it saved my life on June 5, 2008). One other time I brought a video camera and no batteries to run it with.

And then there was the time I forgot my still camera, and then I forgot ... My mom used to tell me I would forget my head if it wasn't attached.

Sweetwater River Crossing

The East Side Trail was a nice little piece of single track that dropped me into Green Valley right at the bridge over the Sweetwater River. Some mountain bikers were just getting their stuff ready in the parking lot as I went under the bridge. I would see a lot of them later. Crossing the Sweetwater River in early June (high water) was kind of tricky since I didn't really want to get my feet soaked.

West Side Trail parallels Highway 79

The riders in the parking lot were smarter and rode over the bridge ... then headed up the West Side Trail going north. I followed. This West Side Trail parallels Highway 79 all the way up to Casa Picacho Campground. I was not going that far.

The riders crossed over Highway 79 and entered the School Camp/Visitor center road, and I followed. I was happy to, once again, survive the West Side Trail (the fellow who sold me my bike said he never took the West Side due to all the snakes he'd ridden over on it). My fellow riders made the first right turn and stopped at the bathrooms.

Burned by 2003 Cedar Fire

I also went right and cruised by them ... until I noticed a large stone building ... or what was left of one. I rode back to the bathrooms and asked one of the ladies if that burned building was the old visitor center. She said she "thought" it was (I later found out it was the visitor center before the Cedar Fire charred everything in 2003). While she answered me I couldn't help but notice all her armor. She had knee guards, shin guards, elbow guards, and of course her helmet. I had to ask where they were going. She replied, "La Cima," then added politely, "You are welcome to join us."

Classrooms on left and right.

I said thanks and followed them to the bottom of the hill ... where we hit the Upper Green Valley Fire Road. At that point the road is paved and runs between the classrooms heading east. There were 3 men and two women ... all slightly younger than me. I took up the rear, often stopping to take photos. The tall blonde woman kept asking me (nicely) if I wanted to go past and each time I told her I was fine, that I was going to be stopping frequently to take pictures.

The U.G.V.F.R. goes left.

The Upper Green Valley Fire Road ends abruptly at a "T" about three miles east of the classrooms. All riders were stopped waiting for us "laggers" to show up.

I asked the group if I could get a photo of them for my website, and they obliged ... joking about how they should pose and how I might use the photo inappropriately. I told them I had previously taken photos here to show people there were no trail signs.

We all headed left, since a right turn would put us onto the blacktop road leading to the La Cima Honor Camp. Going left still kept us officially on the Upper Green Valley Fire Road, but it was no longer graded. This "road" almost immediately crossed a one-foot deep pool of the Sweetwater River (more like a creek here). The three guys biked right through the water. The armored woman found some soggy turf and walked across, saying she didn't want her lower bracket to get wet. The thin blonde woman lifted her bike and walked across some narrow logs. I was impressed. Not to be outdone ... I did the same.

As the three of us tried to catch up with the others the blonde told me (nicely again) that she preferred not to be in any photos, to which I assured her she wouldn't.

When we caught up we found the guys in a state of indecision ... go left up Soapstone Fire Road ... or go straight onto the Upper Green Valley Trail. After a couple of minutes in heated discussion they finally got around to asking me. I told them I much prefer the Upper Green Valley Trail ... so we all went that way.

The "Trailmaster" rides under the tree arch.

I love the Upper Green Valley Trail. It is a prime example of how nature turns a dirt road back into single track if not maintained. I decided to ride in the middle of the pack since I didn't want my photos to include the blonde, who was always in the rear.

This time I stayed behind a guy they called "The Trailmaster". I got a picture of him going under the "Tree Arch" and a few more as we started to climb. He finally pulled over and stopped, urging me to pass, telling me he had asthma and another ailment (which I can't remember).

We parted ways at the top of the Upper Green Valley Trail. I headed south onto the La Cima Trail while they continued straight heading toward the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

Click below to continue this ride.

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