good trails?

What are some good trails near SD?

I recently did VOTM going up the hard way starting with the gatekeeper, which was fun
Only an hour away. Never heard of it or recommended it before; found out about it from a friend who wanted to go rock climbing there.
But now that I know about it, it seems popular. TRSD has done it, and there's youtube videos.

Is there other stuff like that too?
-not boring
-but also not extremely difficult in that it requires a custom tubeframe Jeep on 40's trailered there with a diesel rig and wrecks any other vehicle that isn't that

I know there's good stuff in Big Bear area but it's far, like 2-3hr
Just wanted to see if there's anything good people like and recommend that's closer

I might try checking out Corral Canyon, that's a big one I've heard about. Kind of near VOTM.
I hear it splits into 3 routes; easy medium hard. Hopefully it's easy to tell, like a split/fork in the road with sign or something.
I'm assuming it means:
-easy = stock
-medium = mods
-hard = you brought a rig there on a trailer
Am guessing Sidewinder on Corral Canyon is either the medium or hard route

Maybe there's only so many in the area due to the natural terrain. As opposed to places like CO, UT, etc. which seem to have a lot more.

 

@eon_blue

 

I'm not familiar with trails that far south in the SD area, but @desertjunkie760 or @Prayn4surf will have good info

 

VOTM & Corral are the two "go to" runs that are within reasonable distance and offer a variety of terrain. Most of the trails have shut down throughout the years due to the population density of SD.

There's also Otay Truck Trail which has some fun routes to offer but the main trail is a very well maintained fire road. Can still be a good time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

In regard to Corral, there are a variety of trails that offer different difficulties. Corral is not very well maintained in regards to overgrown brush so expect pinstriping if you go to the area. Sidewinder is moderate and can be a good time if you're comfortable with some risk. I've known many people who have left Sidewinder with body damage they didn't have before, myself included.

Bronco Peak is hard and I wouldn't recommend for most people in a vehicle they care about and Bronco Peak Connector is the hardest trail in the area and is a buggy trail.

 

That Pinyon video is cringe worthy. lol. The trail is great after you get through "The Squeeze" though. One of my favorite trails in SD county.

I was under the impression that Pancake was closed. I may have to go investigate if there's another route.

 

There is a gate there. In one of the google earth views you can see it and it's shadow.