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Lake Henshaw – Palomar Mountain loop from Lake Henshaw

Lake Henshaw – Palomar Mountain loop from Lake Henshaw

Hard

4.5

(1726)

11,253

riders

Lake Henshaw – Palomar Mountain loop from Lake Henshaw

03:09

54.3km

1,300m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Cleveland National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

55 m

Lake Henshaw

Highlight • Lake

only refuel place on route

Tip by

1.31 km

Palomar East Grade

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

10 miles of fun downhill on recently resurfaced road!

Tip by

17.7 km

Kica Mik Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

Kica Mik Overlook is a great spot to catch your breath after the steady climb up Mount Lemmon Highway. The overlook gives you a wide view across the desert and …

Tip by

19.8 km

Palomar Mountain

Highlight • Summit

There are many ways up Palomar Mountain, all doable on a road bike.

Tip by

27.2 km

Palomar Observatory, situated atop Palomar Mountain in California, is renowned for its Hale Telescope, one of the world's largest optical telescopes. Since 1948, it has played a pivotal role in astronomical discoveries, advancing our understanding of the universe.

Tip by

50.0 km

Lake Henshaw Lookout

Highlight • Viewpoint

Lake Henshaw was built in 1925 for agricultural purposes and provides water to the San Luis Rey River which ends in Oceanside. Part of the water also goes into Dixon Lake. 43,000 acres of land are protected.

Tip by

54.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

51.1 km

2.61 km

588 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

54.2 km

122 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,680 m)

Lowest point (800 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 5 July

31°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 14, 2024,lake henshaw - palomar mtn - Palomar Observatory

East Grade is the prettiest way up Palomar. Be sure to check the Observatory website the day of to make sure it's open. If it isn't, go to the Park entrance instead.

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Lake Henshaw – Palomar Mountain loop from Lake Henshaw

Lake Henshaw

Palomar East Grade

Kica Mik Overlook

Palomar Mountain

Palomar Observatory

Lake Henshaw Lookout

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