To the Quicksilver Mines

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El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CA, US

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Route Overview

Jardine Ranch's Country Nut House

Paso Robles, California

40 mi.

3,300 ft.

This ride will take you to a hidden valley that is way off the beaten track. It will take pass the Quicksilver "Mercury" mining area that was the major industry many years ago. Wildlife of all kinds can be seen on this ride, enjoy it.

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Route Details

Leaving Paso Robles from the @poi[City Park](1119111) you will head West out of town on Nacimiento Lake Drive.  Instead of turning towards Nacimiento Lake at mile 8.9 you will continue on straight on Chimney Rock Road.  There is a lake there that @poi[Chimney Rock](1119121) overlooks and an @poi[old cemetery](1119115) just a little bit further down the road on the left.  Chimney Rock Road has a nice climb in it to get you up to the @poi[Adelaida School](1119114).  This is a restored one room school that is right next to the road.  The junction of Adelaida Road with Chimney Rock Road is the location of the @poi[Adelaida Cemetery](1119116) that is said to be haunted.  The cemetery is just a short distance up Adelaida Road.  Continuing out Chimney Rock Rock will have you riding by @poi[world class wineries](1119117) and cattle ranches until you drop off into the valley.  This is a great downhill but be careful to not go zooming past your turnoff for Cypress Mountain Drive.  If you go past the turn off Chimney Rock Road is a dead end so will have to come back to the turn that you missed.  Cypress Mountain Drive is your best option for seeing wildlife if you haven't seen some already.  You will be climbing gradually uphill following Las Tablas Creek to Klau Mine.  When you get to @poi[Klau Mine](1119118) you will see the remains of the last Quicksilver mine in the area.  Many years ago this was a booming area because of all the mines that operated there.  You will see the remains of some of the homesteads that are left from that era.  Klau Mine Road will get steep as it climbs up to join Adelaida Road.  The roughest part was paved recently but there is still bumps along the way before you get to the end of Klau Mine Road.  Adelaida Road will start off with Walnut Orchards giving way to vineyards and wineries before you turn onto Vineyard Drive.  Vineyard Drive connects the route to Peachy Canyon Road.  This section of ride that follows Peachy Canyon Road was selected by the AMGEM tour to be the road that they would enter Paso Robles on.  Due to heavy rains that year the route had to be changed but the organizers said they really liked this road.  You are going to be climbing up a rural road that has oak trees that overhang the road making sort of a tunnel.  There are a few climbs after you get to the top of the first hill but it is mostly downhill the rest of the way.  You should enjoy the scenery as you cruise down the canyon.  There is one winery that you should make an effort to stop for and that is @poi[Nadeau Family Vintners](1119120).  The owner/winemaker is a local cyclist and very friendly guy.  Further down the road you will come to where the original @poi[Paderewski Vineyards](1119122) were planted.  Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941), a virtuoso pianist, composer, and the first Prime Minister of independent Poland after World War I lived in Paso Robles and planted his vineyard here.  There just a little bit more of Peachy Canyon Road left to ride before you enter back into Paso Robles.

## Points of Interest
* @poi[Paso Robles City Park](1119111) with the Carnegie Library in the middle, bathrooms, and water.
* @poi[Spearhead Coffee](1119112) one block from the start of the ride if you want some coffee.
* @poi[Jardine Ranch](1119113) cyclist are welcome and we have snacks and drinks in our store.
* @poi[Chimney Rock](1119121) The tall rock on the other side of the lake is called Chimney Rock.
* @poi[San Marcos Mennonite Cemetery](1119115) 
* @poi[Adelaida School House](1119114) A one room school house that has been restored.
* @poi[Adelaida Cemetery](1119116) Small Cemetery close to the route that is said to be haunted.
* @poi[Justin Winery](1119117) World Class Wine.
* @poi[Klau Mine](1119118) last operating Quicksilver mine in the area.
* @poi[Tablas Creek Vineyard](1119119) Great Rhone Wines.
* @poi[Nadeau Family Vintners](1119120) A great winemaker and an avid cyclist. Stop in and say hello even if you don't try the wines.
* @poi[Paderewski Vineyards](1119122) This is where the original Paderewski vineyard was planted. Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860–1941), a virtuoso pianist, composer, and the first Prime Minister of independent Poland after World War I lived in Paso Robles.

## Regroup or Rest areas
* @point[Mile 8.8](d,14165.82) Chimney Rock is a great place to regroup or take a break
* @point[Mile 13.1](d,21098.46) Adelaida School House  After the climb this would be the place to take a break.
* @point[Mile 17.6](d,28364.89) The turn onto Cypress Mountain Road makes a good place to regroup.
* @point[Mile 23.2](d,37333.82) The turn back onto Adelaida Road is a natural place to rest after the climb on Klau Mine Road.
* @point[Mile 31.9](d,51555.44) The top of Peachy Canyon Road is a good rest area.

## Cautions
* There is a @slice[short section](d,2273.06,2755.74) of road as you leave town with no shoulder.
* @point[Watch out](d,51790.55) for sand in the corners of the downhill sections of Peachy Canyon Road.

To the Quicksilver Mines

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Jardine Ranch's Country Nut House

Around the Hills To Adelaida

Huer Huero Creek Backroads

Cayucos Triangle

Cruising California's Highway 1

Shell Creek Wildflower Ride

Hogs Wild

GWBR Eastside small winery tour

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