Pamo Valley and Black Canyon

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This 20-mile ride through Pamo Valley and Black Canyon north of Ramona affords some magnificent views. About half of the ride runs along unpaved roads.

There are several side trips of varying length.

You can also drive this entire route, including the side trips. Pamo Road and Black Canyon Road are well maintained and can be driven in just about any vehicle. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for unpaved portions of other roads. The road up Black Mountain is difficult to drive even in a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it can be done.

The description and map were first compiled in 1997. On May 25, 2015, I did the ride again and found that there were very few changes, which are noted in this version.

• 00.0 - Start at the corner of Magnolia Ave. and Highway 78. Ride north on Magnolia Ave.
• 01.2 - Turn left onto Pile Street.
• 02.0 - Turn right onto Pamo Road.
• 03.2 - Pass the entrance to the Ramona Landfill on the left. Pamo Road descends steeply into Pamo Valley. The views are great, but be careful because the road is narrow.
• 04.7 - Pass the entrance to Orosco Truck Trail on the left. Pamo Road levels out.
  • SIDE TRIP - Turn left and follow Orosco Truck Trail about three miles up to Orosco Ridge. Return by the same route. The views are quite good. However, target shooting is permitted on Orosco Ridge, and the area is apparently quite popular with four-wheelers. CHANGE: Shooting is now prohibited.
• 06.7 - Pamo Road crosses a small stream in a shaded area.
• 06.8 - The pavement ends, but the road is still quite smooth and mostly level.
• 08.2 - Cross a cattle guard, turn right into a dirt road, pass through an open gate and cross another cattle guard. The sign says this is "Upper Santa Ysabel", but the map says it's Santa Ysabel Truck Trail. This is the first significant ascent. CHANGE: The sign now says "Upper Santa Ysabel Road".
• 08.9 - Cross another cattle guard and keep ascending.
• 09.6 - Another dirt road off to the right leads a short distance to a fairly good view point.
• 09.8 - A fork in the road. Take the right branch, which goes downhill. The signs at this intersection have been vandalized or removed.
  • SIDE TRIP - Go straight ahead and ride for approximately 5.4 miles, uphill most of the way, to the summit of Black Mountain, where there is a shaded area. The views are spectacular, but the road is very rough in some places. Return by the same route.
• 10.2 - Cross a small stream, which may be dry most of the time, and enter a shaded area. You might want to stop here for a rest.
• 10.4 - Pass through an open gate on the other side of the shaded area and start to ascend.
• 12.2 - Cross a cattle guard. The road has some significant ups and downs and a few very rough spots over the next mile.
• 12.4 - Pass through an open gate. CHANGE: This gate is no longer present.
• 13.2 - Cross a stream at the bottom of Black Canyon and enter a shaded area, which used to be Black Canyon Campground. You might want to stop here for another rest. The worst hills are behind you.
• 13.6 - Pass through an open gate and turn right onto Black Canyon Road.
• 13.7 - Cross a small bridge and then turn right. The road ascends gently for approximately two miles. CHANGE: A newer and bigger bridge carries Black Canyon Road. The older bridge is still there, but it is accessible only to pedestrians.
  • SIDE TRIP - Turn left and ride approximately 0.9 miles uphill to Sutherland Dam. Return by the same route.
• 15.7 - The highest point on Black Canyon Road. From here on, it's nearly all level or downhill, with only slight ascents in a few places.
• 18.2 - The pavement begins.
• 19.7 - Pass Pile Street on the right. This is where you came in.
• 20.9 - Return to the starting point.

Last revised May 25, 2015