Pine Creek Road Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

11.8
PDI
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.
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MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
2.3
Road
5
Traffic
4
Scenery

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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

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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

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Jul 14, 2024
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 3
Jul 14, 2024
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 3
Deceptively difficult. I rode this with a friend of mine in December, several years ago. Started in Pine Valley, with the goal of riding this up to the general store, then back down Sunrise Highway to the car. Two things of note: there are a couple places where the road pitches up to >20%, right out of nowhere. I can't remember straining so hard in first gear. Second, because the road can turn to gravel road and it's part of a larger network of roads, it's easy to make a wrong turn. Use a computer to help with navigation. Lastly, after we got on the main road to the General Store there was till snow on the ground, but we were warm from the exercise. When we got to the store the thermometer showed it was about 40º. And we didn't have thermal gear for the descent. We bought some newspaper and gloves for the descent but froze anyway. Be sure to plan for all the weather you expect to see along the way.
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. (%)
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Segment Data
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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.