Originally published in RoadRUNNER Magazine. To anyone within a 100-mile radius, it’s known simply as “The Cube”: a giant cement block atop 3,486-foot Mt. Umunhum that appears ready to disgorge space aliens at any moment. This 1962 Air Force radar tower from the Cold War is sealed up tight (due to lead waste), but the surrounding grounds are spectacular. They’re also newly accessible to the public—the result of an eight-year, $25-million restoration project. A fresh ribbon of pavement leads to the summit, and the excellent visitors’ center provides one of the most expansive views in the region. And it’s just minutes from Silicon Valley’s epicenter of San Jose. Here’s the route.
Length
Approximately 118 miles
Meet-up spot
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St, Los Gatos, CA
Lunch Stop
Corralitos Market and Sausage Company, 569 Corralitos Rd., Watsonville, CA
Scenery
The view includes Mount Hamilton, Mount Diablo, Fremont Peak, Monterey Bay—and Mount Tamalpais, 80 miles to the north, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. On a clear day, you even can glimpse the snow-capped Sierras.
Traffic
Once out of downtown San Jose, the traffic is generally light. If possible, travel the Mt. Umunhum summit road on a weekday, as the park is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the region.
Difficulty
The ride includes plentiful tight, second-gear turns on small roads—perfect for motorcycling. The road to the Mt. Umunhum summit is quite precipitous, so not for the faint-of-heart.
Road Conditions
The newly paved Mt. Umunhum road is excellent, and the curves are intoxicating (though watch for our pedal-powered brethren). The other roads along the route are equally serpentine but may include rough sections and occasional potholes, as they are still recovering from the epic winter of 2016-2017.
Points of Interest
- Los Gatos, CA: This is the quintessential—and eminently desirable—Silicon Valley bedroom community. At times it’s a bit too posh for its own good, but it’s still a pleasure to haunt the many chic stores, cafes, and historic buildings—or just wander the side streets with their impeccable Victorian homes.
- Mt. Umunhum, Santa Clara County, CA: Mount Umunhum State Park has quickly become one of the great Bay Area summits for motorcyclists. Its name originates from the Ohlone Indian term for “resting place of the hummingbird.” It later became the Almaden Air Force Station, part of an early warning system that was in operation until 1980. After years of political wrangling, and an extensive cleanup effort, it became a county park in 2017.
- Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 1350 Almaden Rd., San Jose, CA: “Quicksilver” (mercury) mining began in this area in 1845, and this beautiful “Casa Grande” housed the mine owners and executives. The brick mansion is now a museum devoted to the history of mining in the area. Nearby, you can view neat rows of historic homes that accommodated the teeming masses that did this dangerous work.
- Mt. Madonna County Park, 7850 Pole Line Rd., Watsonville, CA: This 4,605-acre park includes glimpses of Monterey Bay and Watsonville far below. It also includes picnic areas and hiking trails.
- Corralitos Market & Sausage Company, 569 Corralitos Rd., Watsonville, CA: A Santa Cruz County icon, this is a popular destination for motorcyclists, car enthusiasts, and bicyclists. It’s also the go-to local source for steak, sausage, and gourmet foods. Ask for a cooked sausage sandwich and enjoy the shaded picnic table across the street as you watch a parade of wheeled conveyances go past.