Southern California - Palomar Mountain Questions

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Ferrino
12-18-07, 02:54 PM
Hi, managed to get a car for the holidays, so I was hoping to do the South Grade ascent to Mt. Palomar.

What are the conditions like up there ATM - is the road clear/safe?

Also, what are the typical start/stop locations and where can I safely park the car?

Many thanks!

Rick@OCRR
12-18-07, 03:14 PM
Not sure about "ATM" (at the moment?), but in the summer there are lots of racing (or wanna-be) motorcycles on Palomar. Otherwise, a lovely climb!

Rick / OCRR
Mo'Phat
12-18-07, 03:19 PM
Probably the most convenient place to park is at the Harrah's Rincon Casino (http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-rincon-san-diego/casino-misc/maps-and-information.html). Large parking lot, secure (for the most part), and only about 3 miles or so to the start of the climb.

It snowed up there during last week's rain, and will again tonight and tomorrow (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USCA0833?from=interactive_topnav_undeclared), probably. The roads get cleared pretty fast, as quite a few people live up there.

Ferrino
12-19-07, 04:56 PM
Thanks! Will probably suck it and see :)
Ferrino
12-23-07, 09:10 PM
Went to Palomar this lunchtime - parked up at the Taco store and had a great ride up. This is my first climb in the US and since hitting the French Alps in the late Summer and I really enjoyed it, despite missing the turning for South Grade Rd, adding a few more miles/feet to the intended route! The sourdough bowl with chilli at the store at the top was most welcome :) There were a couple of intense gusts of wind in the upper half!

Would be interested to know what sort of time people take to climb Palomar?

Cheers!
Extort
12-23-07, 09:40 PM
Stay away from parking at the Taco Shop... they have been a little miffed at bicyclists for a while and might tow your car away...

Park at Harrah's a couple miles down the road.

I don't remember my times up to the top of Palomar, but I would venture about (edited) 1:45 to 2:00...
jsigone
12-23-07, 09:41 PM
my average up so far has seemed to be 1h45min to 2hrs. My goal is to be under 90 minutes in 2008. These time are from the taco shop to the store.

Glad you enjoyed the climb up, and even better downhill:D