Originally Posted by johnny99
Redwood Gulch. Yum yum yum.
Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!
Just rode
down that today, which, I have to say, is not a whole lot better than going up
But, speaking to the point . . . past the Reservoir, you can continue on Stevens Canyon to the end (at the gate), or go left just past the park, and do Mount Eden (and possibly continue on past that to Pierce Road, up to the Mountain Winery). They're not terribly difficult nor long climbs, but for a beginner they may cause a bit of pain (I know that was the case for me when I was starting out!). A longer climb option is Montebello Road (on the right, just past the quarry entrance): 2000' in 5.2 miles.