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.

At the Start of the road from Livermore.

Nice curveys!

Hairpin! quite a few of these on this road.

Flying of the mountain is not advised.

Grinning ear to ear the entire time.

Dragonish look to it

More.

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.

Highway 130 Sign.

When they say 15, they really mean 15.

yet another hairpin.

Starting to motor through the rolling hills.

This road houses quite a few off camber turns which can make for a fun time!

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!!

 

Can We Say ROAD TRIP!

 

Been through the Mt. Hamilton/Mines run a few times...always a fun ride Gotta be prepared with the motion sickness pills for the co-pilot tho

 

will have to add this to my "must run" for when i finally get a day off.

 

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.

 

I have had the pleasure of driving when the tarantulas were out, it was quite an amazing experience to see literally thousands of them walking across the road. I saw it about five years ago, and would very much like to see it again. Do you remember what time of year it was? I would like to see it again this year.

 

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 You'd be the only one up on that hill.
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.

 

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.

 

Those pics present a compelling argument for a ROAD TRIP!

 

Very nice road. Love canyon carving pictures.

 

Must have been real recent. We were just on there in August, and it was a patched and pitted mess.

 

That is a fun run !! Makes my little girl turn all shades of colors when she is in the back seat

 

Like this guy?





I try to run Mines Rd./ Del Puerto Cyn. at least every other month.
Always stop at "the Junction" for a Jerryburger. Mmmmmmmm


Jim

 

 

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

 

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)

 

A few pics from Saturday....

This is at the start of Del Puerto Canyon Road near Patterson.



Something to watch out for....

(You have to watch out for the cattle guards in the road, some of them are a helluva dip in the road.)




OTHER things to watch out for...


This was going to be a decent shot of The Junction before that MB spoiled the shot.


Now heading north on Mines Road towards Livermore.


Things got seriously fun at this point!

 

nice pic gromit

 

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.