Topic: Smugglers Cave

[Brian (#2)]

I went out for an off roading/hiking adventure with Melissa but it didn't go quite as planned.  The original idea was to drive the moderate trail to the base of Elliot Mine and then hike up.  After that we planned on doing the Table Mountain trail on the other side of I-8 and then hiking the 2 miles in to view Carrizo Gorge and the San Diego RR.

When heading to the base of Elliot Mine, we came up to a "moderate" obstacle that I was not willing to go down by myself.  Before heading down I got out of the X and walked the trail to see what it looked like and it was way too difficult.  I had Melissa spot me as I did a 8 point K turn on the trail and headed back to the turn off by the Smugglers Cave hiking trail (see 4th pic).  I'm sure it was possible but I didn't want to do any damage or get stranded.  By the time we finished hiking to Smugglers Cave and then up to Elliot Mine we were too tired to continue.  Hiking and off roading at Table Mt. is going to have to wait until another day. 

Here are some pictures.  I tried to take some of the obstacle I turned around at but they don't really do it justice (see last picture).  The trail on Elliot Mine looked extreme and at times comical, as in how is that even possible to traverse?  I am not sure it translated well in the last few photos either (pics 5 & 6 ).  There were some great views up there especially of the Valley of the Moon (pic 8 ).  There were lots of mine shafts up there too.

[ultrapc40]

That's cool let me know the next time you go there.

[Goldfish]

Looks like a good time.

[Paul]

Whoo hoo looks fun!

Nice pictures ... makes me want to go there.

[Brian (#2)]

There are a few tough spots on the moderate portion of the trail and some real challenges on the difficult part.  The trail going to the summit looks like you could get on 2 wheels due to the level changes.

Has SCCX ever made a trip to this one?  I searched but didn't find anything.  Maybe it was on the old message board?

[XterracerX]

Yup! We have in the past. Also Valley of the Moon. Quite a history on that place--hence the name. I'd be very careful venturing out there alone and being so close to the border. Hiking out and leaving your rig unattended may get some unwelcomed interest. Last time we were out there, we were being closely watched by the BP agents.

Always a fun time to be out there though! Thanks for sharing your pics!

[Brian (#2)]

Yea, the Border Patrol was all over the place.  We actually chatted with them at the brake check because we thought that was the exit.  They were nice and were asking us if we have ever been out there and to be careful because it can get rough.  We also saw another patrol, driving a nice new Jeep Unlimited Rubicon, on the way out at the trail head who helped point us in the right direction to get back on I-8.

I would have liked to hike around the Valley of the Moon just because it looked awesome.  Are the 4WD trails difficult back there also?  We heard people off in the distance, possibly rock climbing, but couldn't pinpoint where they were.  The only other vehicles we saw were a Toyota pickup that was driving way to fast and a Samurai whose driver and family looked like were having a blast.

It probably wasn't very smart to leave the X unattended. :/  Melissa did mention that wasn't a good idea, especially after I told her we were about 1/4 mile from the border.