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The West Coast's Dragon.
So out here on the west coast, we have some of the greatest roads, especially in Northern California. Now I admit, we don't have the dragon. But, we have some pretty good roads out here. I go around the bay area on my days off and look for some good back roads. I've been on all of the normal roads in the bay area. Skyline on the Peninsula, Calaveras in Sunol, PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). All of these roads are great roads in there own respects. But, a road that I drove on with my dad today changed everything. First of all its about 63.5 Miles Long. Secondly you have over 4200 Feet of Elevation Change. And to sum it all up you have over 600 curves. The Run that I did this morning was from Mine's road in Livermore California Down the California route 130 over MT. Hamilton. My dad took some pictures while on the road this morning and I would like to share them. I am not in my MINI yet, will be ordering in December and will most definitely be making a run back down this run then and hopefully will be able to get some club runs on it.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0369.jpg At the Start of the road from Livermore. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0401.jpg Nice curveys! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0404.jpg Hairpin! quite a few of these on this road. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0410.jpg Flying of the mountain is not advised. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0416.jpg Grinning ear to ear the entire time. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0419.jpg Dragonish look to it http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0420.jpg More. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0435.jpg On the summint of Mt. Hamilton. There are quite a few massive telescopes up here, all ran by state Universities. A residences of around 38 people live on the mountain and maintain and run the telescopes. They have to drive their kids down the mountain(about 45 each way) every day to school. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0436.jpg Highway 130 Sign. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0437.jpg When they say 15, they really mean 15. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0442.jpg yet another hairpin. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0444.jpg Starting to motor through the rolling hills. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0446.jpg This road houses quite a few off camber turns which can make for a fun time! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...n/DSC_0448.jpg There are many nice coastal mountain range views on this road. The Mount Hamilton highway 130 road is an awesome route, I would suggest it for anyone who is looking for a nice long motor. It is not over the top insane like the Dragon, but it is dragon reminiscent at parts which gives it a really nice feel. Here is what the route looks like on a map. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...8a528a1034c832 |
I have lived in the East Bay for about 20 years and have never driven that stretch of road. As an avid cyclist I have rode through/up parts of it, but it looks like I will have to set some time aside to do the entire run!
Thanks for the pics!! |
:grin: Can We Say ROAD TRIP! :nod:
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Been through the Mt. Hamilton/Mines run a few times...always a fun ride :thumbsup: Gotta be prepared with the motion sickness pills for the co-pilot tho :razz:
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will have to add this to my "must run" for when i finally get a day off.:thumbsup:
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A few random Mt Hamilton factoids - tarantulas walk across the road looking for love during their mating season, also they get a little snow now and again (very very rare for the region). I bet on a clear day you can see across several counties!
Thanks for the pix - great daydream fuel. |
Originally Posted by sfoanna
(Post 2506431)
A few random Mt Hamilton factoids - tarantulas walk across the road looking for love during their mating season, also they get a little snow now and again (very very rare for the region). I bet on a clear day you can see across several counties!
Thanks for the pix - great daydream fuel. |
hey don't give up the secret spots, JK
Santa Cruz Mountains has some great roads too. I wish PA had roads like these I wish PA had roads like these I wish PA had roads like these |
Here is the 130 (Mt Hamilton Rd), near the base in San Jose, you can fill up with 76 100 octane as well or fill up in near by Gilroy with VP 100 octane. Pan right and follow it to Patterson it really is a grueling drive, if ya drive it hard and fast. It is nearly 70 miles total of mostly hairpins and very tight sweepers. You''ll need to fill up the tank, have snacks and Gatorade maybe cigarettes for when finish the drive, cause its like sex.
Road nearly empty after 8pm:thumbsup: You'd be the only one up on that hill.:nod: 130 See Below: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...48816&t=h&z=12 Mines Rd to Mt. Hamilton http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...95264&t=h&z=10 Here the entire run: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...73413&t=h&z=10 |
I'm actually planning a REME run that will use Mines Road and Del Peurto Canyon Road as well. Also Patterson pass and Corral Hollow.
The road past Mt Hamilton is twisty, but rough as hell. |
Originally Posted by Gromit801
(Post 2508511)
I'm actually planning a REME run that will use Mines Road and Del Peurto Canyon Road as well. Also Patterson pass and Corral Hollow.
The road past Mt Hamilton is twisty, but rough as hell. |
Those pics present a compelling argument for a ROAD TRIP! :nod: :thumbsup:
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Very nice road. Love canyon carving pictures.
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Originally Posted by Dookiepower
(Post 2508718)
actually part of the road past mt.Hamilton towards San jose has recently been re-paved. I was surprised that how much grip the road gave.
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That is a fun run !! Makes my little girl turn all shades of colors when she is in the back seat :lol:
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Originally Posted by sfoanna
(Post 2506431)
A few random Mt Hamilton factoids - tarantulas walk across the road looking for love during their mating season, also they get a little snow now and again (very very rare for the region). I bet on a clear day you can see across several counties!
Thanks for the pix - great daydream fuel. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/2...f049587c_o.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/2...fc14b212_o.jpg I try to run Mines Rd./ Del Puerto Cyn. at least every other month. Always stop at "the Junction" for a Jerryburger. Mmmmmmmm Jim |
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Yea gromit, I believe it was pretty recent. The patch of road I am talking about is about 5 miles down the road from the lick observatory going towards SJ. however on the backside of the mountain towards Patterson all of those uphill or downhill depending on which way you are going hairpins are quite awesome
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NorCal Road Trip
There are many twisty roads in NorCal and beautiful spots there, Monterey (the 1 to Hearst Castle, Laurels Grade, Carmel Valley Rd to Arroyo Seco), Pebble Beach (17 mile Dr "more scenic"), Santa Cruz/San Jose (mountains mentioned above), San Francisco (the 1 and various roads leading to the 1) |
nice pic gromit
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Ah, Mt Hamilton..my favorite road ever, but thats probably cause I live at the base of Alum Rock so getting to Mt Hammy is just like stepping into my backyard. Good place to just take a drive and get some steam off after work. If any of you guys like Pho(Vietnamese Beef Noodle soup), there's a place at the bottom of Alum Rock between White Rd and Capitol Ave called Pho 54 which has arguable the best beef stock soup and bowl size for your money in San Jose, period. But, like any pho place, the service and area might not be what you're used to as it is a hole in the wall type of establishment. But I highly recommend it for pho lovers. Nothing better than a cool, early morning Sunday drive up to Mt Hammy and back and then finish it off with a large size #1 pho bowl and some strong Vietnamese Iced coffee. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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