Corral Canyon and Lark Canyon

After a pretty leisurely first few days I was anxious to do some real riding so I headed out early and headed for an OHV called Corral Canyon to do some dirt riding. I first set off to ride by the OHV and check it out and then find a hotel to drop my gear so I could do some more difficult single track. My GPS sent me on a wild goose chase for some roads that just didn't exist. I found a place where I got cell reception and read online that I had to enter the park from the other side. Decided to hit up a hotel on that same side before going into the park. I found a nice motel just 30 miles from the border which would later be a good spot to call home base before heading into Baja. 

I dropped the gear in the hotel and went out to the canyon in search of dirt with a nice light bike. When I got there I passed a single van. Besides that I had the place entirely to myself.

I didn't bother reading the trail map and just went out and ended up on some seriously technical big rocky trails. After crashing a bunch I decided to just head back. On my way out though I found some awesome trails and got back in the groove. I then re-read the trail map and realized that I had done the 3 hardest trails in the OHV. Got on some easier stuff and had a blast. I was pretty exhausted from picking up the bike and struggling to get off those trails so I was lax in taking pictures.

On my way out I noticed a KTM parked next to the van and stopped to talk to the rider. The guys name was Jeff and he was there with his dog Drake. Turns out he is from Oakland and he gave me a beer and we talked about the trails. I then headed to Jacumba in search of dinner. Turns out the only open place was the Jacumba Spa hot springs place. They had a bar and really decent food. Super cheap as well. I got all of this for $3.75 + $2.00 for the beer.

Christmas morning I went to head out back to Corral Canyon when the guy running the motel asked me if I was going to McCain Valley. I hadn't heard of it but it's another OHV that's even closer to the motel. I went to check it out and was glad I did because it turned out to be pretty awesome. Immediately into the park I headed out to this overlook. Then off to my left I noticed a pretty gnarly rocky hill climb.

At the top I was rewarded with an awesome view!

Merry Christmas!

I went to do another climb to get another great view and then crashed pretty hard coming down the hill. Bent my hand guard which obstructed my clutch lever so it was unrideable. The hill was too steep to put the kickstand down so I held the bike up while I moved my clutch lever over enough so it worked. I then rode the rest of the way down and fixed it properly. I later realized that I had tweaked my forks, I yanked on the handle bars with the front wheel tucked between my legs and they squeaked back into place.

I then went off and found some awesome single track that I latter realized was on BLM land and off limits but the fence was down so I drove right over it. There were a bunch of awesome rock formations, sand, climbs, fast flowy stuff. It was great. 

Back in the park there was a lot of great trails, rocks, cows and old buildings.

On my way out I found a place to setup my camera and take some selfies, Bill style.

I headed back to Jacumba Spa for dinner and then Jonny and Jimmy showed up at the hotel. 

They went off to get $7.77 Prime Rib at the little casino up the road while I swapped over my tires.

I had some trouble with the rear tire, I damaged the inside of the rim which punctured 3 tubes before I figured it out. We were then left with a tube with a patch (in my tire) and one with two patches. We headed to bed for an early start into Baja.