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Assault on Mount Umunhum

Originally a discussion about my failed attempt to legally bicycle up Mount Umunhum, this page is now a much more useful discussion about all things Mt. Um-related.

View the original entry, including maps and road names.

This ride was supposed to head down to Los Gatos, continue south to Almaden, and then head up Mount Umunhum Road to Summit. After Summit, it would be a nice spin down to Old Santa Cruz Highway and Los Gatos again. A solid five hours for sure, and a new loop to add to the quiver (around the Bay Area, roads into the mountains are scarce enough to make that a big deal).

The climb up Hicks and Umunhum was tough, but worth it for the impressive views and the promise of one of the highest summits in the Bay Area. And then this happened:

Video of road closure

So it was back down Umunhum and to meanderings around Almaden, which itself promises interesting flatlands riding south of the city. Turns out that the road is closed due to private landowners wanting to hang on to what they deem a “land grab” by the Open Space committee. If they come to their senses someday, maybe the ride can finally be finished.

Until then, if anyone knows how to get over Mount Umunhum I’d love to hear it; below are my proposed route and the modifications I made instead.

South on Shorline
Left on Foothill
Left on McClellan
Right on Prospect
Right on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road
Continue through Los Gatos
Left on Los Gatos Blvd.
Right on Kennedy
Right on Shannon
Right on Hicks
Right on Mount Umunhum Road
Continue through Open Space gate
Turn around, unfortunately
Right on Hicks
Left on Alamitos
Stay left onto Almaden
Left on Camden
Left on Hicks
Right on Shannon
Left on Kennedy
Left on Los Gatos Blvd.
Right on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road
Left on Prospect
Left on McClellan
Right on Foothill
Right on Miramonte/Shoreline
Home

The planned route went as follows:

Instead of turning around on Mount Umunhum Road, continue up
Stay left on Umunhum/Loma Prieta Road
Right on Cathermola
Stay left on Cathermola/Wrights Station Rd.
Left on Morrill
Right on Summit Rd.
Right on Old Santa Cruz Hwy.
Right on Aldercroft Heights Rd.
Left on Alma Bridge Rd, around reservoir
Right on footpath at other end of resevoir (by dam)
Exit footpath at bridge in downtown Los Gatos
Left on Main Street
Right on Santa Cruz Ave.
Left on Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd.
Follow directions above
Home

Actual Route

Proposed Route

March 14, 2004 - Cycling