SUNDAY DRIVE
Mines Road to Mount Hamilton
Why it works: One of the Bay Area’s most remote drives has been transformed into one of its best by last weekend’s rain and cooler temperatures. The hills are getting refreshed, ridge-top clarity can be stellar, and golden eagles are arriving for winter. Mines Road is routed from Livermore into the remote San Antonio Valley (where the road’s name is changed) and up the wilderness east flank of Mount Hamilton. The day is crowned by one of the best views anywhere.
The drive: Mines Road is a twolane country road that feels like you’re stepping back in time. The route ventures through the foothills and valleys of remote Alameda and Santa Clara counties, with Crane Ridge to the left, the flank of Cedar Mountain to the right. An ephemeral creek, Arroyo Mocho, runs through the valley. To venture up Mount Hamilton, the road becomes very narrow and twisty. There are many blind turns, making it dangerous for anybody who drives too fast or cuts corners, and something like Russian roulette for cyclists.
The view: When you top the west ridge of the Mount Hamilton summit, the entire South Bay and Santa Clara Valley are revealed. You can identify virtually all the peaks of the Diablo Range and across the valley to Mount Umunhum. Mount Hamilton is actually a mile-long ridge top with several peaks. Its elevation has been published as 4,209 feet and then adjusted to 4,216 feet, but the actual summit is Copernicus Peak at 4,363 feet, the highest point in the Bay Area.
A piece of history: In 1861, when the Brewer geologic expedition team climbed this mountain, William Brewer proposed it be named Mount Whitney after state geologist Josiah Whitney. Despite the epic view, Whitney declined the honor. Three years later, the team found the highest point in what is now the lower 48 in the southern Sierra and named it Mount Whitney. This time he agreed.
Wildlife: This region is one of the best areas anywhere to see red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and prairie falcons. Bring your binoculars. When a hovering raptor is hunting and then banks in an arc, it means it sees prey below.
Weather/telescope: Weather forecasts, observations, webcams and telescope and tour schedule are available at the website for Lick Observatory.
Contact: Lick Observatory visitor information, (408) 274-5061; Lick Observatory Tours and Gift Shop, 238-9616; https://mt hamilton.ucolick.org.
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Francisco: Take the Bay Bridge (get in the right lane) to the split with Interstate 580 east. Bear right on 580 and drive 36 miles to Livermore and the exit for South Vasco Road. Take that exit for 0.3 of a mile to merge with South Vasco Road and drive 3 miles to where it ends at Tesla Road. Turn right on Tesla and drive 0.8 of a mile to Mines Road. Turn left on Mines Road and drive 3.5 miles to the junction with Del Valle Road. Turn left (still Mines Road) and drive 24.4 miles to the junction with Del Puerto Canyon Road (Mines Road then becomes San Antonio Valley Road/Highway 130). Continue straight ahead on San Antonio Valley Road and drive 18.2 miles (becomes twisty) to the summit of Mount Hamilton and Lick Observatory.
Distance to Mount Hamilton:
31 miles from Livermore, 63 miles from Dublin, 79 miles from Walnut Creek, 92 miles from San Mateo, 96 miles from San Francisco, 106 miles from Sausalito, 135 miles from Sacramento.
Time: Roughly 2½ hours oneway, San Francisco to Mount Hamilton.
Make it a loop: From Mount Hamilton, continue 19.5 miles (very twisty) to Alum Rock/East San Jose and Interstate 680.