Pine Creek Road Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

4.5
FIETS
3.9 mi
DISTANCE
1,671 ft
GAINED
7.8 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

This 3.9 mile bike climb is located in CA, USA. The average gradient is 7.8% and there is a total elevation gain of 1,671 ft, finishing at 5,350 ft.

Use the profile tool, route map, and weather forecast to conquer this cycling climb.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Information Not Available

If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
2
Road
5
Traffic
4
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES

Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
ALL TRIPS
Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure!
Palomar Mountain
United States (CA)
4 ROUTES
20 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
42.7
mi
DISTANCE
12,975
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
No Climbs Found

MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?

Jan 18, 2022
I came down Pine Creek while doing the Sunrise Highway loop on January 9th, 2022. I was on 28mm tubeless road tires. I picked up four punctures that, fortunately, self-sealed. Rough road, lots of loose rock, large potholes and a few muddy crossings. Could imagine climbing on road tires in the current condition. But, what a beautiful area and a beast of climb.
Nov 27, 2021
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 2
Nov 27, 2021
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 2
This climb is a beast. As an SD local I’ve done my share of area climbs but this one just punches you in the face. Multiple 20%+ ramps and switchbacks. I think 24% for about 300m is the steepest I had on my Wahoo. Three of us rode it back in October. Started in Alpine, came up Viejas Grade. Was not mentally prepared for the steepness, as the profiles don’t do this one justice. Gates were open (usually closed) but no car traffic (plenty of people camping though) and just some mountain bikers so we had it pretty much to ourselves. Road surface is pretty beat up, worse than nearby Kitchen Creek, but still doable. Not a lot of cover as others mentioned, and no places to stop (once you get to sunrise you can find water but it’s still a ride north or south to find some) so would not recommend as a hot weather climb.
Apr 14, 2021
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 2
Apr 14, 2021
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 2
As a San Diego local I've spent a fair amount of time exploring the local climbs. Pine Valley is a brutal hidden gem that get's far less traffic from cyclists than it probably should. The undulating steep ramps often approach of break 20% while the eroding road surface also becomes a unique challenge. This climb begins in a wooded campground that eventually gives way to an open hillside ascent that offers no shelter from the sun just as it begins to really get steep. Eventually, you again find yourself among pine trees as you approach the peak of the climb which is nestled to the north of Mt Laguna's peak. Be wary of the road condition after passing the second forestry gate near the top. The road begins to undulate with some fast downhill sections that send you into gravelly corners and potholes. It should also be noted that it can get very hot out in these hills and you won't be able to refuel for quite a few miles after the summit.
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL
Route Data
S.G. (%)
hide
Segment Data
hide

Climb Profile Not Found
CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Pine Creek Road, San Diego County

Ride 3.9 miles gaining 1,535’ to elevation 5,472’ at 7.3% average grade.

This is a fun climb along a remote road in eastern San Diego County.  The start of the climb is about 3 miles north of Pine Valley and is one of the more adventurous road bike climbs in the county.

The climb is in Cleveland National Forest (460,800 acres, est. 1908).

Very rural and very narrow roadway.

It is not uncommon to experience snow in this area during the winter.


A nice 26 mile loop begins in Pine Valley, travels up Pine Creek Road to its intersection with Sunrise Highway (10 miles) plus another 16 miles on Sunrise Highway back to Pine Valley (
Map).

Traffic and Roadway Surface:  There is minimal traffic on this very narrow and rough road.  While the road is gravel and dirt in sports, it is manageable on a road bike - we recommend larger tires, though (I used 30mm back, 28mm front on my Roubaix in 2019, but 23’s in 2011 - with age comes wisdom ☺

There are some rough spots in the road along the way.

Do visit Major’s Diner in Pine Valley before and/or after your ride.

Like the ride itself, Major’s is a fun experience.

Access to full Climb Summary requires a PJAMM Cycling PRO Membership!

It takes less than a minute to sign up & with your PRO membership you can:
  • Rate climbs, post comments and share your experiences on any of our climb pages
  • Create bucket lists of climbs & mark the dates you complete them
  • Weather data for all climbs - Start & Finish
  • Upload photos to your member page to customize your PJAMM Cycling experience
  • Utilize all of our interactive tools - Profile & Routes in Area
  • Download climb route .gpx files
LEARN MORE
SIGN UP

Already have an account? LOG IN HERE