San Jose, CA: Lick Observatory

San Jose, CA: Lick Observatory

This lung-busting climb winds up Mt. Hamilton and offers expansive views that stretch from San Jose to the snow-capped Sierras.

Author:	Russ Stevens
Date:	7 Jul 2007 8:29:57 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	51.79 mi (Change units)
Calories:	2388
Average Speed:	10.3 mph 0:05:48/mi
Duration:	Total: 5:04:36 Active: 5:01:13 Resting: 0:03:23
Elevation:	Total Gain: 9194 ft Total Loss: 9223 ft Net Change: -30 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	San Jose, California, Lick Observatory
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Start from Linda Vista School and begin ascent of Mt. Hamilton Road, which rises at a steady 5-8 percent grade to Lick Observatory. On this 18-mile climb, superlatives like “breathtaking,” “thrilling,” and “phenomenal” are common. For some bonus climbing miles, take the optional extension down to Isabel Creek where a 2,000-foot climb awaits on the return trip. This map also details another optional extension on Quimby Road (you’ll gain 550 feet in 1.2 miles). Use caution when descending Mt. Hamilton Road -- navigating switchbacks on either side of the mountain can be tricky.

-Mapped by Russ Stevens

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 51.79 mi	Points: 1235	Calories: 2388
Time: 5:04:36	Speed: 10.3 mph	Pace: 5:48 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Linda Vista School on Kirk Ave.	Then go 0.19 mi
0.19 mi	Turn Left	Alum Rock Ave.	Then go 0.62 mi
0.81 mi	Turn Right	Mt. Hamilton Rd.	Then go 18.29 mi
19.10 mi	Turn Right	Lick Observatory entrance road	Then go 0.25 mi
19.35 mi	Stop	Lick Observatory (museum, views, restroom, water)	Then go 0.09 mi
19.43 mi	Start	Leave Lick Observatory	Then go 0.26 mi
19.70 mi	Turn Right	Mt. Hamilton Rd. (turn right to bike the backside, otherwise turn left to return to start)	Then go 5.13 mi
24.83 mi	U-Turn	Bridge over Isabel Creek (at bottom of hill)	Then go 5.23 mi
30.06 mi	Turn Left	Lick Observatory entrance road (for optional water stop, otherwise continue straight)	Then go 0.25 mi
30.31 mi	U-Turn	Back to Mt. Hamilton Rd.	Then go 0.30 mi
30.61 mi	Turn Left	Mt. Hamilton Rd.	Then go 10.80 mi
41.42 mi	Turn Left	Quimby Rd. (optional additional climb, otherwise continue straight)	Then go 1.08 mi
42.50 mi	U-Turn	Back to Mt. Hamilton Rd.	Then go 1.10 mi
43.60 mi	Turn Left	Mt. Hamilton Rd.	Then go 7.40 mi
51.00 mi	Turn Left	Alum Rock Ave.	Then go 0.62 mi
51.62 mi	Turn Right	Kirk Ave.	Then go 0.17 mi
51.79 mi	Stop	Linda Vista School

Points of Interest

Linda Vista School

Location: 37.377106°, -121.824088°
Riding buddies at Linda Vista School An optional starting point for the ride.

View of the hillside from the lower half of the climb

Location: 37.363813°, -121.763063°

Joseph Grant Park

Location: 37.342458°, -121.716027°
Water and Port-A-Potties

Trailhead

Location: 37.328912°, -121.681137°
Port-A-Potty available here

Tandems in tandem on the upper part of the climb

Location: 37.340035°, -121.654830°

Final switchbacks

Location: 37.342014°, -121.647041°
Our friends, Judy and Osmon, climb the final switchbacks on their tandem.

Climbing the switchbacks

Location: 37.339234°, -121.645324°

Observatory in sight

Location: 37.338244°, -121.643736°
The observatory buildings from the switchbacks just below the top

Mt. Hamilton Summit

Location: 37.340957°, -121.643286°
Take a break at the <a Lick Observatory (open to the public) and soak in the summit views that stretch from Silicon Valley all the way to the Sierras. There is a free museum at the observatory, and water/restrooms are available.