Skewer

Hi, I am visiting Los Altos from the Rockies, and I want to ride over to and up Mt. Hamilton tomorrow, Sunday, from near the Los Altos Chain Reaction bike store at Foothill and 280. Would this route I mapped out in Topo Routes below be a decent route to get there on early Sunday morning? Regarding water, can I just bring two standard bottles and expect to find water stops along the way? Where are the water stops on the climb---bottom, along route and/or top? I can bring a third bottle or a camelback if necessary. Thanks for any help!!

https://www.toporoute.com/cgi-bin/bic...SHTCXBJPYKTIHE

mmcnicho

that route is not so hot. Steven's creek has alot of traffic and stores with people pulling in and out of the street, esp on the weekend.

I would take Homestead across (it has a bike lane) and then Park, and to Santa Clara.
Here is my suggestion.
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Mount-Hamilton

Mount Hamilton is my favorite ride. Have a good time!

SteveE

I don't think that's necessarily the best route, as Stevens Creek Blvd. would not be fun any time of the day.

I'm not sure of the exact route (and I don't ride over to Mt. Hamilton all that often) but on Thanksgiving Day our Mt. Hamilton Ride starts at Stelling/Hollenbeck & Homestead and goes something like:

Homestead Rd.
L. Lawrence Expressway
R. Central Expressway
L. De La Cruz Blvd (becomes W. Trimble)
R./S. Montague Expressway
R. Trade Zone (becomes Cropley)
R. Piedmont Rd.
L. Penitencia Creek Rd.
R. Toyon Ave.
L. McKee Rd.
L. Alum Rock Ave.
R. Mt. Hamilton Rd.

I don't know where water stops are except at the Joseph D. Grant Ranch Park and the Lick Observatory. Although I'm sure there are convenience stores or gas stations along the way.

Someone else may have a better route.

Skewer

Thanks! I will give Homestead a try.

Skewer

Thanks!! It sounds like there are plenty of water stops. Hopefully the water stop at Joseph D. Grant Ranch Park is not too difficult to spot.

SteveE

Well, yeah, it is! You have to go back to the picnic area off of your right as you're heading to Mt. Ham. I don't know if there's anything close to the road. Maybe someone has better information.

reidconti

how was it?

Skewer

The ride was good. I took Homestead to Park to Santa Clara/Alum Rock Road. Homestead had a dedicated bike lane and Park had bike route markings. That stretch went pretty fast, but the going was pretty slow riding East on Santa Clara/Alum Rock Road with no bike lane and lots of red lights. That stretch isn't too long though. I just took two water bottles and filled up at Joseph Grant Park and again at the Observatory. There was a fountain at Grant Park right next to the entrance, probably only 100 feet or so off the road. The Observatory was open and I was just in time for a free, brief lecture about the big telescope there that was paid for by James Lick 120 years ago. Lick is buried in a tomb underneath the telescope. Sounds like the Observatory is one of the world's leaders in discovering new stars/planets.

There weren't very many cars on Mt. Hamilton road at all, but quite a few motorcycles. I probably saw about twelve other cyclists on Mt. Hamilton road. I generally ride towards the West when I am visiting here---Moody Road, Page Mill, Skyline, Alpine, Old La Honda, Kings Mtn Road, Highway 9, Hghw 84, Tunitas Creek etcetera, so this was a good change of pace. Seemed a little hotter going that East direction though. I want to ride Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tamalpais sometime too.

Thanks for your help.