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| Title:
The Palomar Mountain Loop |
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State:
California
Submitted
By: Michael Whitmyre
Date Submitted: Nov 03
Motorcycle Type: 2003 Ducati 620 SS
Motorcycle Road Length: 30 Miles
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"..
the most technical road in Southern California" - Michael
Whitmyre
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Motorcycle
Road Scenery: 
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Don't
take this route for the scenery ... you'll need to keep
your eyes on the road! Take it for the challenge as it "is
the most technical road in Southern California."
The scenery is great though as you'll be climbing mountains
and have great vistas of the surrounding areas and you'll
be traveling through some lush forests. Overall it is much
more than just a technical route as it offers some of the
best scenery in Southern California! The route is perched
up high in a secluded mountain peak in the Cleveland
National Forest. In fact it passes right by the Palomar
Mountain Observatory (space telescope). And, you know
if the government selected a site in southern California
for a high powered telescope that they chose an area that
not only has exceptional elevation but also is far removed
from civilization and resulting light pollution … so you
know this area has to be pristine … and it is!.
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Motorcycle
Road Quality: 
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Rock
solid 5 in the motorcycle road quality category. Multiple
decreasing radius turns thrown in to back to back hairpin
turns, add a few smooth snake turns and a few long sweepers
and you have yourself a darn good ride.
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Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities: 
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Mobile
gas station @ the Interstate 15/State Road 76 interchange.
Two different casinos after you start heading east on 76.
Several snack/liquor stores. You have to stop at "Mother's
Kitchen" at the top of Mt. Palomar. When I was there
the parking lot was entirely filled with motorcycles and
everyone was hanging out, trading stories, and having a
great time.
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To
get to the starting point, you'll need to find route 76
where it crosses I-15 about 15 miles north of Escondido,
CA and about 10 miles south of Temecula, CA. Exit I-15 on
to Rt. 76 heading east. The route starts about 21 miles
east of the Interstate. After you've headed east on 76 for
about 15 miles you'll see a sign for Palomar Mtn Rd at this
point you'll veer left. About 6 miles further up the road
you'll veer left again at a sign that says S-6 (San Diego
County Road 6) which is where the fun begins! This part
of the route is INCREDIBLE. Take it up the mountain until
you come to a 4 way stop sign. There you will see Mother's
Kitchen bike bar/diner to the left. You can stop there or
take a right and continue this time on E. Grade Road. This
is a great road to and will take you all the way down to
Lake Heneshaw. After passing Lake Heneshaw you'll come to
a stop sign. If you take a right you'll be back on 76 and
will end up passing where you veered off of 76 and would
have made a complete loop. That section of the road is OK
but if I were you, I would just turn around and double back
on East Grade road and head back down S-6 ... then turn
around and do it again and again and again.
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Additional
Information:
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I'm going back tomorrow!!