CarbonCoalesced, I think you are talking about Hill Street in PL.

I used my Topo map program (dated 1999) to plot out a few streets mentioned here and some others I've found.

This is my list of Top 10 steep grades from the stats I got off the Topo program.

Read as five columns:
Street, Avg. Gradiant, Max Gradiant, Climb distance, Elevation change:

Texas Street, 9%, 15%, .5mi., 257'
Ticonderoga, 12%, 14%, .2mi., 142'
Mt. Soledad (from LJ side), 9%, 12%, 1.2mi., 560'
Hill Street, 9%, 12%, .5mi., 244'
Laurel Street (from Reynard to 5th), 6%, 12%, .5mi., 173'
Goshen (from Friars), 9%, 11%, .3mi., 145'
Milton (from Morena Blvd), 6%, 11%, .9mi., 236'
Bachman Place, 7%, 8%, .7mi., 256'
Torrey Pines, 6%, 7%, 1.45mi., 392'
Juan St (Old Town), 6%, 6%, .7mi., 245'
Presidio St (Old Town), 5%, 6%, .9mi. 227'
Washington St (from India St.), 4%, 5%, .6mi., 158'

I'm not sure how the program figures gradiant so what I've posted is probably a close estimation by the program. I know in one case the street is marked by Caltrans (which I mentioned above) at 15% but the program only came up with 11% for the same section.

So, my guess is, add a percent or two, or three to the Max Gradiant value and you're probably fairly close to reality.

In the early '80s when I was in my mid to late 30's I climbed Texas, Laurel, and Torrey Pines. Will have to give 'em a shot again.

..rickko..