Mt Hamilton Snow Adventure

So as you know it's been raining and really cold the last couple weeks. Then it started snowing on the peaks. I've heard of snow in San Jose before but I've never gone and seen it. So yesterday I set out on a snow adventure!

I think Monday or Tuesday there were reports of snow on Mt Hamilton. I could see it from my house the tops of the mountains were white! It's not an ultra rare sight but it's not often it happens. I didn't want to ride up there the day after it snowed/rained for fear of black ice and i think I made the right call because it was still very damp in certain sections several days after. I chose yesterday to ride because rain was going to hit the bay area again today (Friday).

The steed I chose was the CactusPuncher DR650 MK2 for several reasons. It's version MK2 now because I spent weeks fixing and upgraded certain parts on the CactusPuncher after LAB2V. I literally had no ridden it since I got back from LAB2V. Here's a quick list of the parts I'll probably make a post about my socal BDR prep where I'll go into more detail:
- Acerbis 6.6 Gallon Tank
- JNS Engineering offroad light mount (because my lights hit the tank now)
- Newer turn signal switch
- Warp9 chain guide
- Tusk Shift lever
- Chinese copy Acerbis 2piece supermoto front fender

So today is the day I would test all those parts out. I also threw on a wheel that had some worn D606s on em because the D606 on the bike had some life left in it still. Plus gotta change tires so it's easier if I take the wheel off now. Still running the front TKC80 I rode in the Nevada BDR and LAB2V.

I also chose the DR650 because if I dump it on some ice or snow I wouldn't feel bad because this bike has been down so much. The Empulse would have reduced range because of the cold weather also would be interesting to see if it would make it up there though it has before. This is not the only time this bike has seen snow also, I've ridden it on Pikes Peaks and several other high altitude places that had snow.

I wake up and it dry outside yippee! Saddle up and head to the Costco gas station.


So as I first set off I notice the shift lever feels funny. That's right I installed a new one. Well it felt like it was too high I had to lift my leg to shift. So I pull over into a parking lot and find a 8mm in my tank pannier. I remove the shift lever and move it down a notch. Well now it seems too low but it's easier to upshift now harder to downshift. Oh well turns out I got used to this. Will have to try it with my adventure riding boots but the shorty boots I'm wearing today are pretty much the same shape as those.

Hit the freeway and up Alum Rock Road to Mt Hamilton Road. Taking the long way. Good thing is that I didn't notice any road closure signs I actually saw a couple caltrans snow plow trucks coming down also. I notice there are some cherry blossoms I was hoping to find better ones but there were really only cherry trees on this section. So here's a screen cap, still very nice and green. That will soon turn to white!

The back section of Mt Hamilton Road that is in the shadows had patches or damp road. So I rode about 50%. Here at Joseph Grant Park you can see it's white. Notice the road closed signs also. Not closed today



Not far about 2 or 3 miles from the last pictures the first evidence of snow! Yippee I've seen snow in San Jose! I've lived in San Jose all my life and never seen snow here today I did! Also glad I brought the Cactuspuncher because I can play in the mud and snow a bit

As I ride closer to the peak it turns all white! Then I make it to the Observatory so cool the Cactuspuncher blends in well with the snow haha. Also on the way up I notice a lot of people pulled over on the sides of the road playing in the snow haha I wasn't the only one with the same idea today. There was a lot of "NO SNOWPLAY PARKING" signs at the observatory haha.

Nice!

That's a curious mirror configuration you have there.

Good stuff Merlin.

Snow adventure day!

So I go up to the observatory parking lot and the parking lot is packed with cars. There's a dude working a plow and he motions me to head to the back lot. So around the back I go and still amazing views to be had.





Cool shot right next to the dome with the sun behind it with a swirl of clouds.


So that was the shakedown ride Cactuspuncher did great. If anything the bike feels a tad bit narrower with the Acerbis tank compared to the IMS tank. I guess the weight of the extra 1+ gallons of fuel is noticeable but when your moving its not. Let's hope when I get to the slow tough sections most of the fuel is consumed =P I got used to the Tusk shift lever. The new fender worked out great I replaced it over a shorter supermoto fender that I felt didn't really do too good a job a fender is suppose to do keep crap off of you and the bike. I can't even see the front tire anymore its so much longer. There was some mud, water, and snow I got a chance to test it a bit and looks like it does it's job The offroad lights do work after the ride also Like I mentioned I rode up about 50% I did have a slip going into one turn hit a patch of water both tires slid a little and I dabbed but no problem. A little bit of dirt on the roads on the uphill keep an eye out!

Now for the views! Never been up here when there's snow it's quite amazing. Today was a first and when I drove a Model 3 up here on my birthday another first I got to see the sun setting.



From the lookout spot, can't really see San Jose all that well today.


The southernmost dome, notice you can see some snow on top of the dome.




Tried a panoramic


The front parking lot, they are busy moving the snow


Snow trees!



The familiar road I just rode up all white now



Lick Observatory bustling with visitors even on a work day!







I believe you can see snow on Mission Peak in this shot

Backside of the main observatory






That fire hydrant stands out so much



More snow trees


A little further in the back still nice views



I know they said not to play in the snow but I couldn't help myself haha arty







Some walkways and more snow

I only see one finger on that snowman...

More snowy views


More snow trees


Snow tables



I'm not the only one who made a snowman! It even has arms and legs! And glasses!

Time to head back down after playing in the snow for a bit. I stopped a couple times along the way.






One of my favorite pictures that about sums it up


Got to do a little bit of dirt riding

Took a different route back down Quimby. Fun watching the scenery transition back from white to green. What an epic day ride! The window was just right to get up there. The lady at the gift store said it had been snowing since Monday. They had closed the roads for 2 days before but people were still driving up. I just happened to pick the best day because as you know the weather has gone to crap again.

Hollister!

very nice pics; thanks for posting! :