Off-road Otay Mountain Truck Trail (Otay Mountain Wilderness), San Diego, California

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The Otay Mountain Truck Trail travels on the ridge tops of the San Ysidro Mountains and is frequented by the friendly U.S. Border Patrol as one can view the international border, San Diego Bay and San Ysidro Mountains. This is a popular off-road driving area. The Otay Mountain Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in San Diego County, California, 12 miles east of the city of Otay Mesa and just north of the Mexican border. Some parts of the wilderness area rise quickly from sea level, reaching a peak of just over 3,500 feet (1,100 m) at the summit of Otay Mountain. The mountain, and its immediate surroundings, are extremely rugged and include steep, often precipitous, canyon walls and hills. The public lands within the Otay Mountain Wilderness are one of the last remaining pristine locations in western San Diego County. Adjacent to the Mexican border, it is internationally known for its diversity of unique and sensitive plants. The area plays a critical role in San Diego's multi-species conservation plan. From the ridge top you see Mexico towards the south, Jamul Mountains to the north, Lyons Peak to the northeast and Tecate Peak to the east. There are many side trails that lead to observation points and the main trail ends just a little distance away from the north of Otay Mesa Road. The north entrance is off Otay Lakes Road east of Lower Otay Reservoir. About 2.5 miles west of Highway 94 is Pio Pico Country Store. The entrance to Otay Mountain Truck Trail is on the west side of the parking lot right by the road. Go up the hill, not into the RV park. The east entrance to Otay Mountain Truck Trail is off Highway 94, about 1.5 miles east of Dulzura, at Marron Valley Road. Follow Marron Valley Road for 2.5 miles where Otay Mountain Truck Trail branches off to the right. Entering or exiting at the west end is a bit tricky. The obvious entry or exit points are blocked by substantial locked gates. There is a way to exit at the west end of the trail, but it is not for 2WD or low clearance vehicles when you reach this point turn right and follow the trail parallel to Alta Rd. This trail is pretty narrow and provides for some fun. At this point there is a narrow, right turn drop off (dubbed the "Little Dipper") that provides a bit of technical fun, vehicles with a long wheel base or low slung vehicles may have some difficulty. This exit route dumps you out right at the Donovan Prison, once you hit pavement turn left on Alta Road to leave.

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