I decided to check out the Exploring San Pasqual Trail Peak – Raptor Ridge trail while we were in town. My husband was preparing for a mountain bike race and I wanted to get some miles in. I stumbled upon the Raptor Ridge Trail and decided to take it to the actual Ridge. I didn’t know much about the trail but it felt like it would take me about the right amount of time he would be gone riding.
Miles Run: 10.5
Elevation: 500
Gear Used:
Skratch Labs Everyday Hydration
My Experience at the San Pasqual Trail Peak – Raptor Ridge:
The day I went, I was out for a recovery run. I had no speed goals and took it super easy. When I first started jogging, I thought, “Whew, this is pretty flat.” I was honestly concerned about seeing a bunch of mountain bikers and sharing a narrow trail with them. It’s not that I have anything against mountain bikers—it’s just not fun for anyone to be weaving around and sharing a narrow, steep trail.
I didn’t do much research about the Raptor Ridge trail, and I figured, by the name, it would be very steep. As I continued jogging along the trail, I realized that wasn’t the case at all. The day I went, it was overcast, and that cleared up around mid-run, becoming very sunny. It was fun to see some fog during parts of the run.
The first few miles were very flat. I ran along a fairly wide trail and saw other bikers, walkers, and runners. I always felt like I was passing someone, which was nice. There are no water fountains, bathrooms, or shade along the route, so keep that in mind. Finally, around mile 4.5, the Raptor Ridge trail actually got steep. I thought, “I guess we’re going up there.” I was unsure where “there” was, but I kept climbing and eventually made it to the top around mile 5.2. I kept going but saw that the trail started going back down, and I decided I didn’t need to do all of that, so I turned around and headed back. I averaged about a 10-minute pace for the entire jog and kept it very easy. Aside from the climb, you can hike/jog at your usual pace.
Overall, I really liked the Raptor Ridge trail and would jog it again. I felt safe, and there’s plenty of room for whatever you want to do. I wore the 361 Futura trail shoe, but you likely don’t need to—regular athletic shoes should be fine.
You can see more hikes and trail runs here.
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Questions for you:
Have you been to Escondido?
What is your favorite hike?