January 1, 2017

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This ride rings in the New Year with a local Bay Area cycling tradition of climbing up Mt Diablo! This out & back route heads up North Gate Rd to the Junction Ranger Station and Summit Rd to the summit.

Meet up at Heather Farm parking lot.

San Carlos Dr to Las Lomas Way.

North Gate Rd to Mt Diablo State Park North Gate Entrance.

Mt Diablo State Park North Gate Entrance Station to the Junction Ranger Station is 6.5 miles with an average grade of 6%. North Gate Rd to Mt Diablo North Entrance to Arroyo del Cerro Ranch.

North gate Rd to the NW Park Boundary.

North Gate Rd towards Burma Trailhead at 1000′.

The steepest section on North Gate Rd is about a quarter-mile stretch with 9-11% grades on the approach to the 1000′ elevation sign near Burma Road Trail to Camel Rock and a bit beyond.

North Gate Rd to Diablo Ranch.

North Gate winds up and around the switchbacks to the trail at Angel Kerley Rd.

The last 0.7 mile to the Junction Ranger Station.

Summit Rd up to Mt Diablo summit is 4.5 miles with an average grade of 7%. Summit Rd to Livermore Valley Overlook.

Enjoy the spectacular Livermore Valley Overlook views!

Livermore Valley Overlook to Toyon Picnic Area.

Steep 9-11% climb from Toyon Picnic Area to Grapevine Picnic Area.

The road eases up from Grapevine Picnic Area to Juniper.

Juniper to Devils Elbow.

Devils Elbow to the summit lower parking lot.

Steep 13-17% climb up “the wall’ to Mt Diablo Summit. Enjoy the mountain top views!

Climbing up Mt Diablo on New Year’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate and kick-start another year of cycling!

Garmin Stats:
47.93 Miles with 4623′ of elevation gain (ride out from Martinez)
30.4 Miles with ~3961′ of elevation gain (ride start from Heather Farm)
Max elevation: 3972′
Max grade: 17%
Terrain: Extremely hilly

Weather: Sunny and COLD. Temps ranged from the high 30’s to the low 50’s with NW winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: