San Diego County's Five Toughest Cycling Climbs

Recreational road cycling as a sport has a way of turning even mostly sane people masochistic. No matter how much we suffer and swear our way up yet another heartlessly steep hill, once topped out (and having rested a bit) we almost never could resist having another go at the nasty mountain. We are also always on a look out for another all-too-vertically-paved monster to tame with our bike! Here in San Diego, California, there are many challenging climbs to satisfy the region's many pain-addicted road cyclists. We all have our favorite slanty nemeses, of course, but here are five paved climbs that should command the respect of even the fittest of hill-hungry mountain goats in spandex:

Apple St looking east up Dictionary Hill.

1. Apple St from La Presa up Dictionary Hill: Located in Spring Valley, this is the shortest climb on this list, but it packs a lot of punches. Dictionary Hill is a questionably planned bit of San Diego where the streets were set in straight grid regardless of the terrain (and the name of the terrain ought to tell you to not turn up on a fixie or single gear bike!). The three blocks that Apple St takes to climb east to its crest on Dictionary Hill averages 15% grade. The climb comes in three sections; however, each broken by a leveled out intersection (which does some damage to the climb's overall gradient). The first two blocks are relatively short and manageable at around 12% grade, but the third block is both the longest and the steepest with maximum slope at around 30%. It is a main road and there may be parallel-parked cars on the hill side of the street (a perilous practice for such a steep incline!). Traffic is usually quite light, though, as the top of the hill is all residential area and not heavily populated. The view of Mt San Miguel and Sweetwater Reservoir from the top of the climb is quite worth the suffering it would take to get there (it is painful to climb this hill from any direction!).

Coronado Hills Dr up Mt Whitney in San Marcos as seen from La Moree.

2. Coronado Hills Dr up Mt Whitney in San Marcos: That's right! There is a Mt Whitney here in San Diego County. At 1,729 ft tall it isn't anywhere within the same league as the real Mt Whitney up in the Sierra Nevada, however. This Mt Whitney is the highest peak in the Cerro de las Posas mountain range, and is just across San Elijo Rd from the more visited Double Peak. There are three roads scaling Mt Whitney from three sides, but only one is open to the public, and that's Coronado Hills Rd that climbs in from the north off from La Moree. Rumors has it this is where the Cal State San Marcos cycling team gets their hill training done. I'm not surprised; from the moment Coronado Hills Rd starts climbing to its crest at the intersection with Washingtonia Rd about 2/3 of the way up the mountain it sadistically holds steady at 15.2% gradient the whole way (which is roughly a mile). Luckily there are a few gentle curves to the climb and the pavement is quite good. Traffic is light to non-existent since aside from the unmanned radio tower at the top of the peak the mountain only houses a small community of well-to-do residents.

Washingtonia past the false summit (there's a dip and then another steep climb up to the real summit).

You can continue to climb on Washingtonia all the way to the radio tower gate, of course. That adds another mile of steep rollers. Washingtonia gets hideously cracky and pot-holey after the 5-way intersection, though. The view from between the rollers and from the look out close to the tower gate is amazing. On a clear day you could even see Mt Baldy north of Los Angeles! There is no park or shop on the mountain, so make sure you water up when you pass through San Marcos on the way to the climb.

Mt Woodson Service Rd is better cycled up and down on a mountain bike than a roadie.

3. Mt Woodson from the east by Mt Woodson Service Rd: Mt Woodson is the prominent rocky radio tower-topped peak between Rancho Bernardo and Ramona. It is famous for its many hiking trails, but is off-limit to most road cyclists because the only paved road up it is extremely rough, narrow, steep and hazardous to descend down. You can access it either directly from Hwy 67 or indirectly from the service road off the back of the CDF fire station (also off from Hwy 67 just south of Archie Moore Dr). The road is closed to cars, but is quite popular with hikers and mountain bikers (mountain bikes, of course, is much more ideal for this climb than road bikes are).

Mt Woodson Service Rd snaking up & up through rock formation.

The climb starts gently enough, but pitches up after the first curve on the road (there are a bunch of switchbacks to this climb, which goes right up the mountain's east face). From then on it's 12-16% grade ramps, one after another with only 2 short false flats spaced into the climb. Overall, it's a 1.4 miles climb that averages 14.5% grade on very narrow single lane oldly paved road (I don't think they have repaved this thing since Neanderthals still roamed the earth). There are cracks and pot holes and a lot of loose gravel and other debris. many turns are steeply switchbacked from sheer cliffs with no guard rail or any other protection. So, even though you may manage to road bike up this monster, chances are good that you will end up having to walk down most of it.

Approaching the radio towers over Lake San Marcos.

4. Lake San Marcos Radio Tower Trail: Well, this is a paved recreational trail rather than a proper road. You can get to the microwave towers on top of the hill overlooking Lake San Marcos from the north or the south (or the east, even, but that Ridge Line Trail from Double Peak isn't so steep) and either route will put you in a world of hurt on your way up. The steepest route is from the south, however. The paved narrow trail begins on the hill side off from the top of Lighthouse Rd, makes a 90 degree right turn and then shoots straight up the hill at about 25% grade for a 10th of a mile before 'mellowing' out (hahaha) to a T-intersection. You will, of course, take the path to the right that leads to another T-intersection from where you will head left to continue to climb to the radio tower simply because you are a fan of Jens Voigt and can't get enough of silently screaming for your legs to shut up. Take heart, after that bit of 25% grader, the remaining 1/3 mile up to the tower is much friendlier at around 16% grade. To top it off, there is literally no view once you get to the tower, since it is a tiny top sort of peak and the tower blocks just about all the view to the west (which would be the only really cool view up there, overlooking the beautiful lake).

The approach from the north is a narrow and unmarked paved trail leading uphill from La Plaza Dr at mailbox #1520. This is a slightly less sadistic climb that averages around 16% grade for 3/4 mile. The lower bit of it is flanked by avocado orchards, however, so watch out for squishy slippery fruits on the path. There also is a heavy duty locked gate just beyond the orchards that only leaves about 1 1/2 feet of room for skinny cyclists to squeeze past after having half-thrown the expensive bike over head to the other side of the gate. Of course, once on the other side, you'd have to start pedaling immediately up a 15% incline on a very narrow lane. Perhaps the southern approach is better after all! There is no water stop along the trail, though there is a good restroom and drinking fountain at Double Peak Park if you take the Ridge Line Trail east from the radio tower. That's another mile and a bit of steep rollers and the final steep climb up Double Peak Park Rd, however.

Camino del Aguila wiggling its way up Starvation Mountain.

5. Camino del Aguila - Starvation Mountain Rd up Starvation Mountain: Last but not least by any stretch of imagination is the only paved road up Starvation Mountain that isn't gated. Starvation Mountain is the pyramid shape peak that Highland Valley Rd curves itself around as it climbs from Escondido to Ramona. I haven't a clue as to whose starvation earned the peak its name, but with all the farms and orchards on its slope, that isn't a likely fate of any who braves up its roads. Camino del Aguila branches south from Highland Valley Rd just north of the Bandy Canyon Rd intersection. There is a steep little ridge to cross right off the bat, and the descent down the other side is bumpy and moderated by 4 rather hard-to-spot thin speed control bumps. After a dip into a ravine the real climbing starts gently enough at around 9% grade for about 100 yds. Once you turn left onto the first switchback, however, it is 12-18% ramps, one after another for the rest of the mile long climb to bring the average gradient up to 15.2% (if you stop climbing at Eagles Crest Rd).

Saving the best for last, the final pitch up Starvation Mountain Rd to the top. Eeeeek!

Hiking a bike up the steep dirt ramp to pick up the top part of Starvation Mountain Rd will earn you another 0.3 mile of interrupted climbing. There are stretches of gentle 3% false flats that end with another severe turn up 15-18% ramps. The final ramp is the worst of all at around 23%, though it is quite short and ends at the imposing gate of a huge manor, barring the way to the trail that goes to the top of the peak. Road pavement gets better and better the higher up you go, though the road remains quite narrow. The view is fantastic through out the climb. The road itself is a thing of beauty to look down upon, wiggling itself up the slope like a ribbon surrounded by mountain panorama. There is virtually no traffic as there are only a few houses on this road. Be sure to fill up your water bottles before you get to Camino del Aguila, however, as there is no water stop at all on Highland Valley Rd and on any road up Starvation Mountain (and this region is hot enough to melt tarmac during the summer months).

San Diego's Rite of Passage Climbs 

North County's Rite of Passage Climbs 

San Diego's Steepest Paved Blocks 

San Diego's Steepest Sub-Mile Climbs

San Diego's Steepest Paved Miles

Everest-friendly Climbs in San Diego County 

 

Guest post: Ashtabula Hats - Turning Thrift Clothings Into Fabulous Cycling Wears

Ashtabula Hats are cycling caps and beanies made from hand-picked, vintage, designer (or very cool) suits, jackets and sweaters found at my favorite San Diego thrift stores. Here is one of my larger purchases at the Thrift Trader in Pacific Beach. The cashier is laughing as she fills two bags!

I carefully take apart the jacket and save the lining for the racing stripes. All seams are all surged and I have hidden an elastic piece in back to allow for a wide range of head sizes. The brim liners are also made of recycled materials – 16oz plastic containers!  Luckily, I have friends that eat a lot of cottage cheese and yogurt! Depending on the size of the jacket, I can make 2-4 caps. So, every cap is a one-of-a-kind and has its’ own history and I tell as much as I can. Sometimes it’s about the designer, the material/pattern, or even the owner of the jacket. (like the jacket I found 20 year old theater tickets in the pocket!) And, finally, only one cap out of each jacket bears the designer label. 

Fausto and my husband, Tim, work at a bicycle shop in San Diego. I gave Fausto (shown above) the first 4-panel designer label cap because he gave me the idea to make the cycling caps.  All the guys at the shop got my practice caps and really kept me motivated! Btw, Tim’s other girl friend is a Surly Disc Trucker.  He has asked for cycling cap and a matching top-tube cover for it. I guess that will be my next project!

This Bill Blass suit (above) became a couple of caps like this (below),

 

 

The Claiborne suit (under Howie, my supervisor) became the group of caps:

Oh, I also make beanies out of beautiful vintage or thrifted sweaters. Especially cashmere wool, nylon, acrylic/spandex blends from top sweater brands such as Old Navy, Gap and even Oscar de La Renta. I make slouch and fitted beanies for adults and youth.

 

I am an avid cyclist, experienced seamstress and creative thrifter! I put all my hobbies together to make these cycling caps and beanies. Most of my materials are recycled including my price tags and business cards. I cut up and hand-stamp recycled scrapbook paper from thrift stores.  

I also take custom orders. Some folks need a smaller or larger cap. Some folks have a favorite jacket or sweater that doesn’t fit them, but they just don’t want to get rid of it. They just send it to me and I make a hat out of it!  In addition, all sweater and wool scraps are saved, cut and sewn into quilts or other cool things like wallets.

My other passion is helping people who need it. I strongly support the fight against Parkinson’s Disease and I volunteer to help the elderly who want to remain independent in their homes. I donate hats or quilts to raise funds for these and other charities when I can.

Here's the link to my Etsy shop   www.etsy.com/shop/AshtabulaHats

For cycling and upcycling "blogformation", please visit my facebook page at

www.facebook.com/AshtabulaHats

So, why the name Ashtabula? 

We’ll save that for next time!

Sue McDonnell

Owner/Designer Ashtabula Hats

Straining up Starvation Mountain from Highland Valley Rd & Camino del Aguila

In my spare time I love Google Earthing remote areas of San Diego County, looking for a new scenic (and hopefully very hilly) road to explore with my road bike. A while back I espied a couple of paved road that branch off from Highland Valley Rd up this little-wrote-about peak between Escondido and Ramona. The peak is called Starvation Mountain. I've googled it to death and still don't know whose starvation its name refers to (or when, for that matter).

*Edit to add: Since I posted this entry I've heard from Ms Wendy Barker of the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park about Starvation Mountain:
"Starvation Mountain, aka Mule Hill, aka Battle Hill, is where American forces led by General Kearny were detained by Spanish forces led by General Andres Pico in 1846. The shortage of food led Americans to eat some of their mules. You can learn more about the battle at the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park on route 78."

Starvation Mountain as seen from Del Lago Blvd in Escondido. No cross on top of it or anything.

At any rate, one isn't likely to starve to death there now, as the area is surrounded by private ranches and estates. I had a good look at one particular road that heads up it, Camino del Aguilar, and didn't see any gate from the aerial shot. That made for an inviting exploration target! (I really don't like trespassing on private roads that much). So, last Thursday I caught an early bus up to Del Lago Transit Station in South Escondido and went for a ride: (open pictures in new tab to see in full size)

David Kreitzer Pedestrian Bridge across Lake Hodges.

Of course, I could have gotten off the bus at Rancho Bernardo Transit Center and coast down W Bernardo Dr to Lake Hodges before turning east on Highland Valley Rd, but why miss a chance to cross the lake on the famous pedestrian bridge? At 990 ft long and 12 ft wide, the Kreitzer Bridge is the longest stressed ribbon bridge in the world. It is quite a feat of engineering and offers amazing view of the mountains nearby. Oh, the lake itself is a beautiful sight, of course, even when it is so dry that weeds and trees are growing on lake bed for almost as far as the eyes can see!

East through the farmlands on Highland Valley Rd. Starvation Mtn beckoning up ahead.

Turning left (east) onto W Bernardo Dr/Pomerado Rd was a bit tricky. I used the pedestrian crossing light, though it took some sprinting start to go immediately up the I-15 overpass and out of the way of cars trying to get on the freeway on-ramp. It was a relief to turn left/east onto Highland Valley Rd, where traffic becomes more scarce (though probably faster-moving).

Highland Valley Rd (HVR) pitching up the mountains.

The lower part of Highland Valley Rd (known locally as the HVR) starts with a little downhill to pick up the south side of the San Dieguito River. Road shoulder more or less disappears after the turn off for unpaved Sycamore Creek Rd and the right side of the eastbound lane is often littered with cracks and rocks. The road starts to pitch up and becomes very steep for a couple of twisty stretches, ranging from 8-12% grade. I didn't much like riding there at all because of the traffic, but it is still a much better cycling route between Escondido and Ramona than Hwy 78 to the north is (that one is way more trafficky).

HVR heading east up the hill.

After a mile and a bit of climbing I passed the turn off for Bandy Canyon Rd that connects HVR with Hwy 78. The road is now a rolling false flat, shortly into which I turned right onto Camino del Aguila, a narrow paved road heading up a steep little hump between two huge ranches (this is the 2nd paved lane heading south from HVR after Bandy Canyon Rd, and it does have a street sign).

Camino del Aguila passing thru fish pond.

After cresting the steep hump the road branches right at the Y-intersection and goes straight (steeply) down the other side to a ravine. Watch out for little hard-to-see speed bumps as you pass the little pond on the left.

Climbing up Camino del Aguila on a bicycle is a very painful way of enjoying spectacular mountain scenery!

Climbing up the other side of the ravine was gentle at around 8% grade at first, then the road does a switchback left and from then on it was 10-18% ramps one after another without letting up for the better part of a mile until near the top.

Why suffer up a beautiful steepie like this without stopping to enjoy the view? You might as well!

But, in this part of town; no pain means no view, my friends. And for a spectacular view, spectacular pain is the going price!

Gate to Eagles Crest Rd from Camino del Aguila.

Dirt track up from top of Cam del Aguila to Starvation Mtn Rd.

After much struggling (it didn't help that I was one-handing a lot of the slope photographing and filming my way up 14% ramps) I made it to the end of Camino del Aguila where it turns into dirt for a bit to connect with Eagles Crest Rd, the private paved lane that comes up the mountain from its east side. Eagles Crest Rd is gated at the top here and also at the entrance from a little further east on HVR. I suppose you can just hike-a-bike around the gate. I had other agenda, however, and opted left up this steep dirt track to pick up the top bit of Starvation Mountain Rd to head further up the mountain.

View from a resting spot on Starvation Mountain Rd. Looks like they had cleared two little plateaux for future houses.

The last (and steepest) ramp up Starvation Mountain Rd... Especially capricious after a mile and a bit of 14% average grade climbing!

More suffering ensued. More hideously steep ramps behind switchbacks separated by some short bits of gentle (5-7%) slopes. Then I got to another Y-intersection and opted right for the ramp that leads uphill... It is a monster ramp! Mid-20's % grade for maybe 60 ft as it wraps its way around the final left curve and ends at a huge gate of the highest house on Starvation Mountain.

Gate at top of Starvation Mtn Rd leading to 18096 Starvation Mtn Rd, blocking off the trail to the top of the peak.

View from top of the road.

As high up Starvation Mtn as a road bike could go.

It isn't the just-to-keep-cars-out sort of gate, but a real 8ft tall estate gate that doesn't show on Google Earth yet. So that was the end of the road for me. Not quite to the top of the peak, but the view is still spectacular in almost every direction! Mt Woodson was close by with the radio towers on its top. Double Peak & Mt Whitney peeking out of the cloud layers to the west like two tiny islands. A view to cure much of the muscle and joint pain the steep climbing had extracted from yours truly.



It was now a bit past 9am, though, and the sun was starting to get annoyed with me, so I started my descent. Braver souls can try and ride down that 27% grade slick top ramp, but I only made it halfway down before putting my foot down and walking the rest of the way to the Y-intersection since I don't have disc brake and didn't feel like sliding right off the mountain (doing so would allow me just enough air time to ponder on my one last stupid move before I finally land on something).

Starvation Mountain Rd descending from the top.

I didn't fancy wearing my brakes out descending on Camino del Aguila, so I opted right at the intersection (no road signs up here, you've better memorize how the roads look from Google map before heading up this mountain!) and then left at the next, down Starvation Mountain Rd.

A roadside Christian shrine on Starvation Mountain Rd.

It is a surprisingly green lane, sloping steeply down through orchards, carving itself around the hill. On a straight away I spotted this cross-topped shrine by the side of the road and decided to investigate. Unfortunately it isn't a historical memorial that tells any story about how Starvation Mountain got it name, but just a Christian shrine with a quote from Genesis put up by the local landowners.

Starvation Mountain Rd car gate. Bikes can walk around the side.

A little further down  I ran into a gate! For a couple of horrifying seconds I thought that I had picked the wrong fork on the road, came down a dead end and would now have to climb back up the mountain.... but then I spotted the intercom box on the other side and realized that I was on the 'private' bit of the road and should be able to get back out to HVR if I walk around the barrier. Whew!

HVR between Starvation Mtn Rd & Eagles Crest Rd.

Eagles Crest Rd at HVR.

Rejoining HVR I headed right/east toward Ramona for a little more climbing. After a while I passed Eagles Crest Rd turn off. It's the private paved road that goes up to nearly connect with Camino del Aguilar high on Starvation Mountain. The big gate at the bottom was wide open (though even when closed you can walk around its right side). That's one nasty steep ramp right at the bottom of it, though; not something I'd like to ride down or up it!

Amy Strong 'Mt Woodson' castle.

Hwy 67 descending through the hills overlooking Poway.

The day was turning very hot, so I opted to ride home the quickest way possible and took Archie Moore Rd to catch Hwy 67 into Lakeside, stopping at Mt Woodson Golf Course for cold drinks and snack along the way (there is no other water stop on the route). Hwy 67 downhill south to Lakeside is a horror story that deserves a post of its own, but it was late morning on a workday so traffic volume was not quite as suicidal to cycle with as would be otherwise. The whole ride was only 48 miles long, but that 14% grade mile and a bit on Camino del Aguila and Starvation Mountain Rd took quite a bit out of my legs!