Cypress Mountain
(Andy Marinello cruises the Cypress Mountain Fire Road)
If you are looking for a really good fire road to ride…you just found it. This 20 mile out and back has some dandy climbs, good views, and some long flat sections to explore. You can start this ride from Chimney Rock Road at the Las Tablas County Fire Department, or from Cypress Mountain Road of highway 46 west towards Cambria.
From highway 46 west and 101, drive 10.5 miles to Santa Rosa Creek Road. Turn right. Drive five miles to a turnout and a dirt road called Cypress Mountain Road. It is exactly five miles from 46 west, and well signed.
Park in the turnout and start a pretty steep climb to the top, fortunately it is short. Once on top, views of the ocean at Cambria can be seen. Keep going and drop down the fire road for a few miles until it starts to flatten out. You will cross a camp ground near the 4 mile mark. Staying on the road you will arrive at an old mining area. Veer left and ride past farms, coral, and interesting rock formations until you reach Chimney Rock Road at the 10 mile mark. As of 2008, the last three miles from the mine on has been paved.
Turn around and hump it back up. If you have time make a right on Santa Rosa Creek Road and scream down the pavement to Cambria. It’s a long ride back up, so you might want to have a ride waiting for you.
