7 - Carlsbad to Mt. Palomar. 103 miles, 9283 ft el, 90 ft/mi

0.0 S Coast Hwy 101
 2.2 L Cannon
 4.0 R Faraday
 6.4 R El Camino
 7.0 L Palomar Airport
 9.3 = San Marcos
11.0 R Discovery
11.3 L Discovery
12.3 R Craven
13.3 L Twin Oaks
13.9 R Barham
15.4 L Woodland *
17.0 R El Norte
23.4 L E Valley
24.2 R Lake Wohlford *
32.1 R Valley Center
37.1 R Hwy 76 *
42.3 L Palomar Mtn S Grade
48.8 L Canfield
48.9 L market restroom
48.9 R Canfield
49.0 R S Grade *
55.5 R Hwy 76
60.7 L Valley Center
69.8 L Lilac
73.3 L Old Castle
78.9 R Champagne *
80.0 L Camino del Rey
84.6 L Old River
87.2 R CA-76
90.0 R N Santa Fe
90.1 = SLR trail
90.9 R Tyler
91.0 L Jackson
91.1 R SLR trail
98.7 R RR underpass
98.8 L Pacific
101.2 L Cassidy
101.3 R Broadway
101.7 L Eaton
101.8 R Coast Hwy 101
102.7 R Beech / Magee Park


*Notes
16.5 R restroom at park
26.3 R restroom at lake
37.2 L Market restroom
       Water before climb!
49.0   Same route down
79.4 L Camp market restrm
100.0  Hoo Ha Century
101.0 L Buccaneer beach
        cafe restroom.

The climb up Mt Palomar is the one great mountain climbs in San Diego. Lance does it on a single speed. 5000 feet in 11 miles makes it good preparation for your next bike tour of the Alps! The descent is a classic mountain high-speed technical descent.

Attention to weather will make or break your enjoyment of this climb. The ascent is unbearable in the heat, and the descent is unbearable in the cold. Check the forecast for Palomar Mountain before you go.

Under 60 degrees - bring a jacket, long finger gloves and knee warmers. Nice extras would be a balclava, insulated gloves, and an insulated jersey. Pack them on your back or tie them under your saddle. Otherwise, plan on violently shivering on the descent, and losing all feeling in your hands. Research hypothermia.

Over 80 degrees - bring extra water, as there is none between the Taco Shop and Mothers Kitchen. Much of the climb is in direct sun. Research heat exhaustion. Low salt levels from sweating is also a problem. Salt takes a long time to absorb, and like food and water, if you wait until you are suffering to ingest, then it is too late. Salt up: Eat salty food the day before your climb, and research hyponatremia.

There are multiple cattle grates on the climb. Go over them quickly and straight ahead. They are uncomfortable, but your bike can handle it.

Weekends see many pocket rocket motorcycles racing the South Grade. They can easily avoid cyclists as they have to also watch for rocks strewn in the road, but they make a peaceful climb unpleasantly noisy.

The East Grade is much quieter. Weekdays and rainy days are much quieter. Returning to civilization, you may prefer climbing the quieter Cole Grade over the gambling rush to the casinos on Valley Center Rd.

The climb ends 20 minutes after your legs have turned to mush.