One of my favorite trails in the area. It's not on the map and is evidently an unauthorized use-trail. It heads from the South ridge of Rivas Canyon cross country all the way to the Backbone Trail. It has some great, steep terrain along the way and reaches a prominent peak that is unnamed on the trail map.
1 The start of the trail was completely rebuilt and opened up just recently. Someone put in a lot of work here. This used to be completely overgrown with the trail hardly visible.
2 Some great single track.
3 Foggy mornings make for great vistas.
4 The trail is very steep and technical in places.
5 A look down Temescal Rivas Canyon.
6 You can see the trail following the ridge and going up and over a number of steep little peaks.
7 A look back down the ridge and out towards the iconic coastline view.
8 The trail along the ridge with the coastline in the distance.
9 The sign-in box and cairn at the top. You know it's a pretty good peak to bag if there's a sign-in box.
10 Looking North along the ridge.
11 A view down from the top. It's pretty amazing to be up here before most people even wake up. And to have a whole day sitting in the office ahead of me still.
12 360 degree view from the top of the Unknown Peak.
13 You can continue on a bit further from the Unknown Peak to a smaller unknown peak that also has a sign-in box.
14 Dr. Rock joined me one morning for a run to Unknown Peak.
15 Dr. Rock signing-in.
16 Ocean view from along the ridge near the peak.
17 Looking towards downtown.
18 Dr. Rock coming down a very technical section of trail.
19 Dr. Rock makes his way down a crazy section of trail. It reminds me of Iron Mountain.
20 Though it's only a short section, it's about as steep and technical as you can get.
21 Dr. Rock with the Unknown Peak behind him.
22 No shortage of steep trail here.
23 Almost back down to the junction with the Temescal Canyon/Rivas trail.