United StatesCalifornia Mt. Hamilton East
Mt. Hamilton East Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

14.4
PDI
4.5 mi
DISTANCE
1,990 ft
GAINED
8.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

Cycling Mt. Hamilton East - the less traveled but harder bike climb to the Lick Observatory. The Mt. Hamilton East bike climb is 4.2 miles at 9% compared to 18.4 miles at 4% from the west. The climb ends a few hundred yards short of the Lick Observatory.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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This is a very tough climb at 8.3% average grade and 33% at 10% grade or greater.  56% (2.5 miles) is at 5-10% and 31% (1.4 miles) at 10-15%.  Near the top of the climb you'll hit a quarter mile 11% pitch and ride up a full mile at 9.6% beginning at mile 1.5. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button above.
Roadway:  Excellent condition.

Traffic:  Minimal.

Parking:  Climb Start:  Map, Street View.
Not applicable.
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.
There are many options of places to stay in the San Jose area, including lots of vacation rental choices.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
3
Road
5
Traffic
3
Scenery

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San Francisco Bay Area
United States (CA)
25 ROUTES
30 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
487.9
mi
DISTANCE
65,482
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
No Climbs Found

MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

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Jun 29, 2024
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 2
traffic: 5
road: 2
Jun 29, 2024
scenery: 2
traffic: 5
road: 2
I've done this climb a few times, and the descent has never been fun. I rode this today and the descent was sketchy, there are rocks and some compound (looked black like oil) that stick the small gravel to my tires and makes me feel like I am going to lose traction. Descent is all hairpins so get ready to brake. As for the actual climb, it is completely exposed, and can get hot. Go an extra 8 miles and 500ft and you will reach the junction (restaurant), which is under new management but previously only accepted cash, not sure if that's still the case. Another thing to note is there is no services in this area. This area is not traveled very often by anyone as taking other highways is much faster so if you crash or something you are screwed.
Apr 1, 2024
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 4
Apr 1, 2024
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 4
Beautiful and remote climb. The road is single lane in several places due to washouts, but the pavement in general is pretty good. Make sure to top off your water bottles at Junction Cafe, as there is nothing out there till you reach Lick Observatory.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mt. Hamilton East

Ride 4.5 miles gaining 1,962’ at 8.3% average grade.

Both sides of Mt. Hamilton end amidst University of California observatories.

Aerial drone view of the top of Lick Observatory

“The Climb Less Traveled” -- well, at least by comparison to Mt. Hamilton West.  For those intent on maximizing their elevation and minimizing their miles, the 46 mile out-and-back, starting from Alum Rock Boulevard/Mt. Hamilton Road/San Antonio Road and back is the way to go.  Our Garmin read 6,421’ of climbing at the end of that out-and-back.  

Before heading out to cycle Mt. Hamilton, be sure to rely on our list of Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip, and use our interactive checklist to ensure you don't forget anything.

Beginning of Mt. Hamilton East road bike climb - road sign and road.

Start of climb -- where the road pitches up.

Curvy roadway on climb up Mt. Hamilton east to Lick Observatory Silicon Valley

This is the middle climbing segment of the popular but brutal Devil Mountain Double which is held in April each year. This climb has close to double the pitch as the “front” side of Hamilton (this ascent is referred to locally as Hamilton Backside) at 8.3% and is quite challenging.  The views predominantly to the north as we climb are of hundreds of miles of the Diablo Mountain Range.  This climb ends 0.7 miles short of Hamilton West, and this final stretch is rollers with -62’ and only +27’ for that stretch.

Mt. Umunhum is visible as we climb the final segment of Mt. Hamilton West.

The summit for the Mt. Hamilton West climb is the Lick Observatory, owned and operated by the University of California.  This is the world’s first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory (the sign on the first building we come to at the top says “Residents Dining Hall” -- inactive as of 2015).

Biking Mt. Hamilton West - Lick Observatory entrance. Cyclist riding past front of Lick Observatory.

Lick Observatory at the top of the climb.

   Dome of the Lick Observatory after Mt. Hamilton bike bicycle ride.

View northwest.

Roadway Surface and Traffic Report:  The roadway is wide (but with no bike lane) and in excellent condition.  Traffic is not a problem.  This is an excellent and safe climb.

Mt. Hamilton is in the Diablo Mountain Range and it is reported that on clear days one can see the Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey Bay, and Yosemite National Park (see, Wikipedia - Mt. Hamilton).  Unfortunately, on two of our times up Mt. Hamilton we were in the clouds much of the trip, and on the other we were suffering at about the halfway point of the Devil Mountain Double (not a time to truly relax and enjoy the views!).

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

Mt. Hamilton is the most featured mountain climb in the history of the Tour of California, having been featured six times between 2006-2019.  Mt. Hamilton has never been a mountain-top finish in the ToC. (Note that ToC is on hiatus for 2020.)

  • 2008 Stage 3:
  • Queen Stage - Modesto - San Jose
  • 102.7 mile, 8,039’; eastern approach
  • Stage winner Robert Gesink (NED)
  • 2011 Stage 4:
  • Livermore to San Jose
  • 81.8 miles, 8,337’; eastern approach
  • Chris Horner (USA)
  • 2014 Stage 3:
  • San Jose to Mount Diablo
  • 107 miles, 10,574’; western approach
  • Lawson Craddock (USA)
  • 2015 Stage 3:
  •  East San Jose - San Jose
  • 105.5 miles  10,200’; eastern approach
  • Toms Skujiņš (LAT)
  • 2017 Stage 2:
  • Modesto to San Jose
  • 89.8 miles, 8,064; eastern approach
  • Rafal Majka (POL)
  • 2019 Stage 3:
  • East Stockton to Morgan Hill
  • 128.6 miles; eastern approach.
  •  Rémi Cavagna (FRA)

2019 Stage 3 Profile: May 14, 2019, 128 miles / elevation gain 9,667’

Peloton makes its way up Mt. Hamilton West -- 2014 Stage 3.

MT. HAMILTON AT SUNSET

Beginning of Mt. Hamilton West bicycle climb

Sunset from Lick Observatory.