Here is some video of Highway 9 from Redwood Gulch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OTGEXU84zU

 

Can I borrow some of your roads?

 

You should motor on out this way some time. We'll share the roads with you.

I just posted the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OTGEXU84zU

 

I can fully verify that this section of Basin' (aka hwy 9) that runs from Redwood Gulch up to the gap (hwy 35) is THE BEST driving road ever - when absent of other cars. There are several "airplane turns" (locals call them) up towards the top that are cambered perfectly, shaped around the mountain and really can move you. Yes, there are many more roads in this area that are very nice too. From the gap down the backside to Boulder Creek is one. If you choose to continue on hwy 9, just after the gap, stop over to the right at the first dirt turnout and hike out on the trail. Sunset views to die for in the winter time. In the summer there is usually too much fog.

Beware of mud slides, errant rocks and debris from storms - you've been warned.

Redwood Gulch? Great *tight* road, a little bumpy but very entertaining. Don't forget Pierce Road and or Stevens Creek Rd.

My take, Basin is seperated into two parts.
Lower Basin > Saratoga to Sanborn Road.
Upper Basin > After the bridge at Sanborn Road to the Gap.

Wish I was there to test my MINI Cooper S. I grew up on Basin, my old stomping grounds.

Basin Racin Team Member '73-86 (hmm I smell a badge coming...)
Oak Street Elementary Alum. '73
Redwood Junior High Alum. '75
Saratoga HS Alum. '79
West Valley Alum. '82
SJSU Alum. '86

Thanks for the video link AND taking it in your MINI! Schweet.

 

Is that the trail with the big ol rock at the end (Summit Rock, I think)? I've hiked up there a few times, once in the middle of a light-smogged day, once at sunset, once on a clear winter night, and once on a foggy night.... each time was amazing in its own way!!

And no I'm definitely not talking about Castle Rock.

 

Awesome video by the way!

 

Driving up Basin heading west, at the gap continue straight through on 9 towards Boulder Creek. At the first (or second-been a while...) large dirt turnout on the right, park. There is a small berm looking hill - climb up over that and keep walking on the trail. Mainly just a hill that overlooks west and the Pacific on a non-foggy day. Perfect sunsets.

 

I used to drive up to that view point in high school and still go there sometimes, my friends and I always called that place "Skyline". Plenty of people race up there, lots of ricers, bikes, and everything in between.

 

I drive that road often and it's amazing how many high performance bikes you see smashed up on the side of the road with everyone standing around in their leathers with expressions on their faces saying "I wonder how this could have happened?"

I'm no saint but I've learned enough in my life to know that I won't push it to the limit on a two wheeled machine driving down a twisty mountain road.

 

Oh yeah, lots of bikes on the side of the road (often in pieces) both on 9 and Bear Creek. Having (almost) been the victim of the 'red mist', driving a '74 AUTO Capri in the 80's, I can sadly relate. (I KNEW I could keep up with that Porsche, in my dreams)
Ahhhhh, it's nice to have twisties.
One day I'll tell you about my friend who visited from the Netherlands (nary a hill NOR a turn there!!) It was frightening!

 

When I was young (yes, they had cars then - but not as many as now) I used to drive this road almost every day. Working the graveyard shift at the cannery in San Jose, getting off at 4:00am, jumping over Hwy 9 to sleep at the beach, waking up to jump back over 17, take a shower and do it all over again. Those were the days.
Looking back - the way I use to drive my '69 VW bug through those curves, I'm surprised that I'm still alive.

T