United StatesCalifornia Soda Springs Road
Soda Springs Road Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

5.8
FIETS
5.4 mi
DISTANCE
2,341 ft
GAINED
8.2 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
MORE

INTRO

Cycling Soda Springs Road: this is one of four excellent bike climbs near Lexington Reservoir off of Highway 17. This climb runs near the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, home to Santa Clara County's greatest bike climbs. 
Average grade is 8.2% with 0 descent. 71% of the climb is at grade 5-10% and 21% is at 109-15%.  The steepest quarter-mile running at 10%, and steepest full mile at 9.1%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Narrow and in moderate condition with some rough spots - be wary on the descent. 

Traffic:  Minimal.

Parking:  At climb start - Map;  Street View.  Or park across Highway 17 at the start of the Black Road climb 4 miles away (map) and include Soda Spring Road in your climb grouping for the day - Map; Street View.
Provisions:  There are no spots for food or water on the climb - the closest provisions are at Redwood Estates Store (Google Map + Reviews) 4.6 miles south in Redwood Holy City Estates (Route Map; Street View or Los Gatos 5.4 miles north (Route Map). 
There are several great climbs in the immediate vicinity of Soda Springs Road which can be done on the same ride - (here is a nice 4 climb route with 41 miles and 7,920' gained - Route Map).  

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Not Yet Rated
-
Road
-
Traffic
-
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

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?
LOG IN HERE
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL

Climb Profile Not Found
CLIMB SUMMARY

Climbing Soda Springs Road by bike - start, roadway signs, road,

Cycling Soda Springs Road Santa Clara County

Ride 5.5 miles to elevation 3,048 gaining 2,620’ at 8.2%

Soda Springs Road is the one of 4 excellent Lexington Reservoir climbs that begins on the reservoir side (east) of Highway 17.  This one is a true single lane road which is in great shape and sees very little traffic, other than by cyclists (2,320 attempts on Strava as of 3-27-16) and the few residents along the route.  The climb is a bear and  #4 in the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz County areas.

Cycling Soda Springs Road - road sign, cyclists, roadway

The climb is consistently steep throughout -

Never more than 12%, never less than 7%

The steepest ¼ mile is 10%

Lower portion of the climb

Miles 2-4

Final segment of the climb -

Climb ends at a locked gate posted “Private Road - No Umunhum or Thayer Access”

Soda Springs in the spring.

Unfortunately, although the road continues from its paved finish, the gate is locked and our Santa Clara cycling consultant answers my question about continuing on past the gate as follows:

There is a locked gate at the top of Soda Springs, unfortunately.  I've never been past the gate, sometimes I ignore "private road" signs but I don't like to jump gates.  There are houses near the gate, as you climb, and it looks like there are houses near the gate on the other side, so it is likely somebody would see if you jumped the gate.  Soda Springs does come close to Mt Thayer and Mt Umunhum and I'm sure the roads probably do connect, but there are gates on both sides so I've never attempted it. I did read online some guy jumped the gates and took a mountain bike the whole way, but it sounded sketchy. So unfortunately, I don't know any way from Soda Springs to Mt Umunhum.

 A spectacular climbing day:  Black - Gist - Thompson - Montevina - Soda Springs Roads (Map) - essentially no traffic and quiet riding/climbing of 41 miles, gaining nearly 8,000'.  ​

​Roadway Surface / Traffic:  This is a true one lane (sometimes just barely that) which is in good shape with next to zero traffic the entire climb - this is a safe climb.​

That’s a wrap!!