30.3
PDI
15.7 mi
DISTANCE
5,044 ft
GAINED
6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA, USA; Stacy Topping, Tacoma, WA, USA
INTRO
Nine Mile Canyon climbs 15.7 miles from the floor of the Mojave Desert at Highway 395 (2,581') to 7,580' on Kennedy Meadows Road, gaining 5,044' at a 6.0% average grade. It climbs the steep eastern escarpment of the southern Sierra Nevada, and it's the same road Pacific Crest Trail hikers use to reach Kennedy Meadows - the famous spot where the PCT leaves the desert and enters the Sierra.
The first 10 miles do almost all the hard work. The scenery is stark, barren high desert with a scattering of Joshua trees, the road runs long and fairly straight up the canyon, and the grade is relentless: miles 2-5 average about 8%, and the steepest mile, starting around mile 8.2, averages 10.5% - very tough in 100-degree weather. Past mile 10 the road tops out onto the Kern Plateau and the gradient relaxes to 2-5% as the stark desert gives way to a slightly more alpine-like setting.
Heat is the defining challenge here: average highs in the valley below exceed 100 degrees in July and August, and there's no shade on the lower canyon. Spring and fall are the seasons to ride it. The climb currently ranks #321 in the world on our list.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Nine Mile Canyon climbs 15.7 miles at an average grade of 6.0%, gaining 5,044' from 2,581' at Highway 395 to 7,580'.
After a moderate first two miles at about 5%, the canyon steepens sharply: miles 2-5 average roughly 8%, and 46% of the climb sits between 5% and 10%, with another 14% at 10-15%. The steepest mile (10.5%) begins around mile 8.2, and the steepest quarter-mile hits 12.2%. By mile 10 (about 6,265') the hardest climbing is done - the last 5.7 miles average around 4%, with one steeper kick near the finish.
Roadway: Paved all the way - a narrow two-lane road in generally good condition, with no shoulder. Nine Mile Canyon Road is a county road maintained by Inyo County - check Inyo County road status before you go, especially in winter, when snow can reach the upper miles.
Traffic: Minimal. Most traffic is heading to and from Kennedy Meadows, so expect only an occasional car.
Parking: Just off Highway 395 at the start of the climb - Map; Street View. There are no facilities at the start.
Provisions: None on the climb. The closest stop is the Shell station in Pearsonville, three miles south on Highway 395 (just past the Uniroyal Gal statue on the east side of the highway), or the Kennedy Meadows General Store, a PCT hiker landmark 8.7 miles past the finish - Map. Check the store's hours before counting on it.
Weather: This climb begins in the Mojave Desert, so beware the brutally hot summers - the average high from June through August is 98-102 degrees. Carry more water than you think you need, start at first light, and bring a layer for the top, which is 5,000' higher and noticeably cooler.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
We've done the Nine Mile Canyon - Sherman Pass West out-and-back and it is a pure brute - 137 miles and 17,700' gained (Map).
Pearsonville, at the bottom of the climb, bills itself as the "Hubcap Capital of the World," after longtime resident Hubcap Annie - and the 18-foot Uniroyal Gal statue on Highway 395 is a fun roadside photo stop. Ridgecrest, 25 miles southeast, is the nearest town with a full range of hotels and restaurants. See other climbs nearby, or build a custom route from here, with our Routes in the Area tool.
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dfergusonpm
Very exposed to the sun throughout the ride. Weather was cool when I did it on 5/8/24, but I would not want to do it when it is hotter. Some good steep ramps provide a good climbing challenge. Not the most stunning views, but overall pretty enjoyable. Road surface was good, especially on the Inyo county side.
lirizar1
Hot hot hot! Started at 105 degrees getting up to 118 degrees. Don't start this climb at 1pm even in May. You are out in the open the entire climb with no shade. Some cars but the road is wide enough they don't bother you. Nice climb off the beaten path!
