Best for
Experienced backcountry drivers
Surface
Paved highway, steep dirt grade and winding mountain roads
Difficulty
Experienced — remote, steep, narrow and exposed
Distance
110–125 miles
Duration
—
Vehicle
High-clearance AWD or 4WD, full-size spare and secure recovery points
This is the rally’s big mountain adventure. Vehicles travel in small, marshal-led groups with safe spacing — this is not a race. We call this the Experienced 4x4 Route because Nate Harrison Grade’s steep climb, narrow roadway, drop-offs and limited passing areas make it unsuitable for inexperienced rally participants.
- Stop 1Start · Check-in & Kickoff
Mossy Jeep Chula Vista
Team check-in, safety briefing, recovery-gear check and route notes.
- Stop 2Scenic transit
Pauma Valley approach
Head north through Valley Center and Pauma Valley toward the entrance to historic Nate Harrison Grade.
- Stop 3Steep dirt climb
Nate Harrison Grade
Off Highway 76 near 33.316, -116.991
Approximately 9½ miles of dirt climbing nearly 4,600 feet up the western face of Palomar Mountain. Steep grades, blind curves, changing terrain and spectacular views across Pauma Valley.
- Stop 4Summit checkpoint
Palomar Mountain State Park — Boucher Hill
Enter the Palomar Mountain State Park area and complete a summit checkpoint near Boucher Hill. Restrooms, picnic areas and panoramic viewpoints. Vehicle day use is currently $10.
Palomar Mountain State Park ↗ - Stop 5Paved mountain descent
East Grade Road (S7)
Dramatic overlooks reveal Lake Henshaw far below on the descent.
- Stop 6Finish · Summit Celebration
Hideout Mountain
27413 Highway 76
Follow Highway 76 directly to Hideout Mountain for the final celebration.
Route
Mossy Jeep Chula Vista → Pauma Valley approach → Nate Harrison Grade → Palomar Mountain State Park — Boucher Hill → East Grade Road (S7) → Hideout Mountain
Planning notes
- Route must be physically pre-run, vehicle count capped and checked for current closures before publishing turn-by-turn directions. Forest roads can close because of fire danger or weather. Cleveland National Forest conditions ↗
All checkpoint businesses are proposed and should be described as “planned” until participation and group capacity are confirmed.