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Pinyon Mountain Road
Borrego Springs,
California
(San Diego County)
Last Updated:
10/21/2022
Trail Information
Highlights
This secret of the desert has been a popular off-road trail for the extreme 4x4 enthusiasts who have known about it throughout the years. Comprised of a very narrow rock squeeze and probably the most insane downhill of all times, this trail is something to brag about once completed. Just so you are aware, the squeeze is about the exact width of JK, which means most JK's will not make it through without some scratches. If you don't think that is bad enough, the downhill aka Heart Attack Hill, is a hundred foot long downhill that reaches angles in excess of 70 degrees. Thus a simple mistake or over braking can easily cause a rollover in a horrific manner. But if you are up for it, and you complete this secret of the desert. You will go home talking about this trail for weeks, if not months.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Trail Navigation
Pinyon Mountain Trail is a fun and difficult trail in the Anza Borrego Desert. Pinyon Mountain provides every type of obstacle and off-roading styles, from overland to rock crawling, tight squeeze, near 70+ degree downhill, high-speed desert wash, and much more.
Most of this trail is a 3-4 rating except for 2 spots. The squeeze has a higher rating just because the risk of body damage is up above 25%, and the downhill (aka Heart Attack Hill) is in spots around 65-70 degrees downhill adding a rollover risk for less experienced drivers.
Please note, the trail might only be 8 miles long but to leave the trail and get out of the area, it will require a minimum of 35 miles of off-road travel and another 15 miles to the nearest gas station.
Weather --- It does get into the 100's during the Summer and the trail has a high risk of flash floods from fall to spring. Thus pay attention to the weather when on this trail.
Trail Reviews
5/5 (9 reviews)
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 03/20/2021
AWESOME!!!! Such a fun trail... everything from scenic desert washes to rocks! Don't take this trail lightly. Although there are only 3-4 rough spots of the trail, they are definitely a load of fun! The squeeze got 1 of the jeeps in our group ( Fender & Side Mirror ) while all of us definitely got some fender rash and couple of bruised bumpers! The rock garden & waterfall are really fun but nothing major. Heart Attack Hill is LEGIT! So many "WHOAS" on the final obstacle, haha!
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Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 09/22/2019
Great trail! The run out to the rocks is twisty and sandy and smooth; it’s like a 4WD slalom course. Just before The Squeeze it becomes a rock crawling trail. The Squeeze is legit. We had quite a few JLs with us, so we put some rocks along the right wall to lessen the lean. Still scraped some fenders. (We took the rocks back out before moving on.) Heart Attack Hill is the most nerve rattling obstacle to run, or watch! Everyone slid, many lifted wheels. Gasps, expletives, and prayers accompanied every rig. As did bees; lots of bees. I think four or five people got stung. Be careful out there.
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