Rockpile-Advanced

Healdsburg, CA, US

Route Overview

Wine Country Bikes

Sonoma, California Bike Tours & Rentals

51 mi.
3,900 ft.

Lake Sonoma is one of my favorite places in Sonoma County with vast rugged, endless wilderness. Rockpile Rd is the only public road that snakes along the ridge at the north end of Dry Creek Valley for 13 miles and comes to an end. On rare clear spring days, the top offers views of the snow peaked Snow Mountain at 7600 ft, in the Mendocino National wilderness over 100 miles away. Rockpile is a very challenging ride but a ride that's all about panoramic views, wilderness and low traffic.

Route Details

Here the steep mountain hillsides are some of Sonoma County's most rugged and spectacular appelation. This area offers some of Claifornia's toughest Cycling Brevets- The Terrible Two, a gruelling 200 mile ride and an elite Ultra running trail race- Lake Sonoma 50 miler.

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Starting at Wine Country Bikes in Healdsburg, you'll ride flat terrain for approximately 13 miles, to the Lake Sonoma Dam. This will be the area to get hydration from the Coke machine or visitor's center (if open). At the dam is a fish hatchery which is home to thousands of Steelhead that make the journey every winter up the Dry Creek to spawn in a low flowing small creek at the hatchery. Their route from the ocean is trecherous, with high fast-flowing rain waters and high surf at the mouth to the Russian River. Before the dam, the area was home to farms and the Warm Spring's Resort. The dam was built in the 80's.

The entire ride along the ridge offers panoramic views as far as you can see. The majority of elevation gain is between 14-26 miles with constant up and down. Mile 26 is basically the turn around point. On the return you will get a bit of elevation gain but just a couple bumps compared to how it'll feel going out. You'll cover approximately 24 miles total along the ridge, climbing and descending. In the first 2 miles of the climb you may encounter some traffic with boat trailers. It's a popular biking area so traffic is accustomed to seeing cyclists on the road. The second climb is the steepest, pitching over 11%. It's good to ride steady since the hills are steep and within 24 miles you'll rack up about 4000 ft of elevation gain.

REFUEL POINTS:

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT:

Trek Carbon Fiber/Ultegra Road Bike or Trek Aluminum/105 Road Bike

Important Reminders

During warm months ride early as the climb is exposed and the temperatures rise very quickly up at the lake. Carry enough water and remember it's not "all" downhill on the return trip. Also carry cash for the refreshment machine at the visitor's center. If for some reason you can't get water, the Ranger & Sheriff's Department is across the street from the Visitor's Center.

***For more information on CALIFORNIA BIKE TOURS visit WINE COUNTRY BIKES

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