2026 Ride Calendar
Descanso Endurance Ride
JUNE 6, 2026
Ride through the beautiful mountain landscapes of eastern San Diego County at the Descanso Endurance Ride. Starting in the small town of Descanso, the trail climbs into the pine forests and meadows of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, offering riders scenic views, varied terrain, and a rewarding challenge.
Ride Description
The course includes a mix of trails and fire roads with generally good footing, though some rocky sections and a few stream crossings may be encountered. With significant elevation gain, this ride is best suited for fit horses and riders prepared for a moderate (plus) to difficult course.
Riders will share the park with hikers, cyclists, other equestrians, and local wildlife including deer and wild turkeys.
Ride Distances Include:
• 50 Mile Endurance Ride
• 25 Mile Ride
• 15 Mile Fun Ride
The entire course is open to the public and may be pre-ridden. A GPS map of the course will be available online by May 1. Additionally, there may be a ½ marathon taking place on the same course of the Fun ride, but at a different time.
View current rider entries for the Descanso Endurance Ride!
Ride Details
Course Information
The ride begins in the field across the street from the base camp. Numbers will be taken starting 15 minutes before start time. The ride will start on a fire road and will climb into the pine forests and meadows of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The course follows trails and fire roads with generally good footing. Some sections can be rocky, so riders may wish to consider leg protection for their horses where appropriate.
The finish for the 50 mile course will be in the same field as was the start. The 50 mile horses must pulse down to the finish pulse criteria within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line. The first 11 horses crossing the finish line in the 50 mile course will be required to take their saddle off and get weighed as soon as they cross the finish line, unless they indicate they are not showing for best condition.
After completing the course, the 25 mile horses will be required to pulse down in the Vet check area at base camp and will receive their completion time when their horse reaches the pulse down criteria. The first 11 horses that reach criteria and want to show for our best condition will need to be weighed at that time.
The 15 mile Fun Ride will start across the street in the open field and the riders can start immediately following the 25 miles. They will finish the 15 miles back in base camp and will pulse down there for their finish time.
While the trail is safe, certain areas require good horsemanship. There is significant climbing along the course, so riders should bring a well-conditioned horse or plan to use the full time allowed.
Vet Checks and Rider Support
Crew access is available at all vet checks, but support crews are generally not necessary.
The ride will provide:
• Hay, soaked mash, bran & carrots for horses
• Rider refreshments at vet checks
• Lunch for riders and crews during the event
Entry Fee Includes
• Friday evening dinner
• Participation in the ride
• Saturday breakfast
• Food throughout ride day
• Drug testing fee
• Completion award
• Dinner at the awards banquet
Additional Friday and Saturday dinner tickets for family or crew may be purchased for $20 each.
Base Camp
Base camp will be located in an open field next to Descanso Hay and Feed in the town of Descanso, California, in the Cuyamaca Mountains of eastern San Diego County.
Within one mile of camp there is a small store, café, and gas station (including diesel). Please note that fuel prices are typically higher in this area!
Water for horses will be provided in troughs that will be kept filled with a hose. Riders may also bring their own horse water if preferred.
There are no trees at base camp, so riders are encouraged to bring their own shade.
Please keep dogs on a leash at all times.
Dates and Start Times
You may arrive at base camp on Thursday, June 4. Anyone arriving before Thursday can camp at Terry’s Ranch (6 miles from base camp) – check with Terry.
Check-in will be on Friday, June 5, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
The Friday dinner will be served between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The ride meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. The head ride veterinarian will set the criteria for pulse and respiration throughout the ride.
The 50 mile course will start at 6:00 a.m.
The 25 mile course will start at 7:30 a.m.
The 15 mile fun riders can leave just after the 25’s.
DIRECTIONS TO BASE CAMP
From San Diego via I-5 or I-15, go east on I-8 approximately 35 miles. Go past Alpine and the Viejas Casino. Exit at Highway 79/Descanso (exit 40). Turn left and go north under the freeway. A mile down the road (at the Junction café), turn left onto Riverside Drive. The store and gas station will be about 1/2 mile down the road on the left and base camp will be ¼ mile past that on the right.
RIDE RULES
Equines must be at least 60 months for the 50 mile ride and 48 months for the 25 mile ride.
Junior riders (under 16 as of 12/1/2025) must be accompanied by an adult (21 years of age) who entered the ride and agrees to remain with the minor throughout the ride. Junior riders will not be permitted to start or continue on from any point of the ride without the original sponsor, unless the sponsor is pulled and makes arrangements with ride management for the minor to go on with someone else. Juniors must wear an approved helmet.
Abuse of the horse or the use of stimulants and/or pain killers is prohibited.
All horses are subject to saliva, urine and blood test.
No substances of any type may be injected by needle into the horse during the day of the ride.
25 and 50 mile horses will be required to pulse down within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line.
Those top-ten finishers of the 25 and 50 mile rides who want to be considered for best condition must present their horse for inspection at the times specified by the head veterinarian.
All riders must stay on the marked trail.
No smoking on the trail.
All veterinary decisions are final.
To receive a completion horses must be FIT TO CONTINUE at the post-ride inspection.
Unsportsmanlike conduct or abuse of horse, volunteers or ride manager could result in disqualification.