Best for
First-time off-road drivers and stock adventure SUVs
Surface
Paved highways, maintained dirt and narrow backcountry roads
Difficulty
Beginner off-road in dry conditions
Distance
90–105 miles
Duration
—
Vehicle
High-clearance AWD or 4WD recommended
Leave the freeway behind and experience the quiet side of San Diego County — open ranchland, oak-lined dirt roads and sweeping backcountry views.
- Stop 1Start · Check-in & Kickoff
Mossy Jeep Chula Vista
Team check-in, safety briefing and the first navigation clue.
- Stop 2Fuel, tire & safety checkpoint
Ramona Safety Stop
Scheduled fuel top-off, tire pressure check and safety review before leaving pavement.
- Stop 3Dirt-road briefing
Pamo Valley Staging Area
Along Pamo Road near 33.10439, -116.85686
Descend Pamo Road into beautiful Pamo Valley, surrounded by open ranchland, mountain ridges and Cleveland National Forest. Drivers receive the dirt-road briefing, lower speed instructions and the next navigation clue.
- Stop 4Backcountry drive
Black Canyon Road
Pavement gives way to dirt, oaks frame the roadway and sweeping views open toward Lake Sutherland and Mesa Grande. A photo challenge asks teams to capture “the road less traveled” — without stopping in the roadway.
- Stop 5History checkpoint
Santa Ysabel General Store & Backcountry Visitor Center
30275 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel
Return to pavement near Mesa Grande and stop at this historic general store. Find a piece of local history, locate the rally duck and collect the final Summit directions.
Santa Ysabel General Store ↗ - Stop 6Finish · Summit Celebration
Hideout Mountain
27413 Highway 76
Climb to Hideout Mountain for music, food and the Summit celebration.
Route
Mossy Jeep Chula Vista → Ramona Safety Stop → Pamo Valley Staging Area → Black Canyon Road → Santa Ysabel General Store & Backcountry Visitor Center → Hideout Mountain
Planning notes
- Both off-road routes must be physically pre-run, capped at a smaller number of vehicles 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 ↗
- A paid organized event using National Forest land may also require a special-use authorization. Forest Service permit guidance ↗
All checkpoint businesses are proposed and should be described as “planned” until participation and group capacity are confirmed.