T'was a clear and cool winter morning... as winter mornings in San Diego often go. The Smorgmobile was pining for the mountains, and Alpine fits the bill just so!
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| La Cresta Rd climb to Crest. |
Many roads we could choose to take up the mountain, but none as pretty as La Cresta, of that I was quite certain...
Up and up the gentle slope we crawled, until a chanced side-exploration called. We had reach Vista de Montemar's purple gate. It was open and I was in no haste...
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| The view west from Vista de Montemar: Mt Helix & Grossmont on left, Cowles & the Fortunas right center. |
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| Back down Vista de Montemar to La Cresta. |
A little climb with more than a little view. It pays to not go straight up scenic hills!
Traffic was light but it was speedy, and Crest itself was looking empty.
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| Skirting along South Lane Park in Crest. |
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| Alta Pl's magical switchbacks. |
We looped the town and its dead ends, and found its many crooks and glens.
But the morning got old and I needed coffee, but up in Crest there's no cafe! So off we went down Mountain View Dr, which turns to Frances as it takes a curvy dive...
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| Down Mountain View/Frances Dr into Harbison Canyon. |
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| Turning off Harbison Canyon Rd at Galloway Valley Rd. |
No coffee on the offer at Canyon Market, so north we went up Harbison Canyon Rd.
Most folks would go on to Arnold Way, but Smorg's head was feeling fuzzy, so we took a long cut the Galloway Valley way.
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| Taking in the view from Alpine Trail Rd. |
A wrong turn or two before we made the clue, and popped up on Alpine's new scenic patch of flues. The roads are new and most plots still un-housed, Alpine Trail is quite a cool hang about!
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| The second ramp on Alpine Trail Rd. |
Riding such a view requires a bit of clout, before too long the engine was throwing me a pout... or two... or three. Steep roads can really wear you out!
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| Finally a bit of a descent on Alpine Heights Rd. |
It's downhill most of the way to turn around, but Janet's coffee scent was on my snout. So I pushed on up the hill on South Grade Rd and turned west toward the roast on old Foss Rd. Janet really knows how to espresso, and a hot mug after the climb makes quite a tango!
Yes, yes, I know... climbing 3000 ft in just 23 miles for a cup of joe is really only for weirdos...
