Patchen Pass in California: this road is not for timid drivers
Patchen Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 562m (1,843ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.
Where is Patchen Pass?
The pass, known as Cuesta de Los Gatos and also locally referred to as "the Summit”, is located south of San Jose, on the boundary between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, in the central part of California.
Is Patchen Pass paved?
The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called California State Route 17. It’s the highest point of the road, which was built in the 1930’s.
How challenging is Patchen Pass?
The road is not easy. The narrow lanes and dangerously tight curves of the route have earned it ominous nicknames like “Killer 17” and “Blood Alley”. It has very steep parts, hitting a 10% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Along the way, it presents drivers a big number of hazards – sharp turns, blind spots, narrow shoulders, changes in speed, and slick highway surfaces after rains or snows.
How dangerous is Patchen Pass in winters?
Set high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the winter months, because SR 17 crosses a high precipitation area, the roadway can become slippery from rain, snow or ice, especially at the summit. Depending on the time of year, road conditions are made even more hazardous by rain, fog, and snow.