24.3
PDI
8 mi
DISTANCE
3,248 ft
GAINED
7.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ron Hawks, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
INTRO
Empire Pass from Midway climbs 8.0 miles and gains 3,248 feet at a 7.6% average, from the intersection of Warm Springs and Pine Canyon Roads north of Midway to the unmarked summit at 8,964 feet above Park City. It is one of the hardest paved climbs in Utah, and the Midway side is much tougher than the Park City side. The first seven miles share the road with Guardsman Pass and average 8.4%, with the steepest mile at 12.4%, before a right turn onto Empire Pass and a mild finish.
The road is quiet and narrow, climbing out of the cottonwood groves near Wasatch Mountain State Park with views back over Midway and Deer Creek Reservoir. By our research Empire Pass has been in the Tour of Utah in 2012 through 2016, 2018 and 2019, and it was the last climb of Stage 6 in 2019 before the descent into Park City, where Joe Dombrowski won the stage (he had won the overall Tour of Utah in 2015).
"One of the most difficult climbs in Utah, the south side of Empire Pass is a stout test that has seen professional cyclists race on its slopes (the 2012 Tour of Utah used this ascent) that shares most of its length with the east side of Guardsman Pass...From the junction at mile 6.9 turn right over moderate grade and soon find a flat and then a short descent. Climbing then resumes for a short distance over moderate grade up to the unmarked but obvious summit with excellent views of the mountains and Park City to the north." (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson, from his book, 50 Climbs (by Bike) in Utah, pg. 110.)
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. The average grade of Empire Pass from Midway is 7.6% over 8.0 miles, but the first seven miles average 8.4%, and it is rarely easy. Mile 2 averages 12.2% and mile 4 averages 10.8%. The steepest quarter mile is 14.9%, the steepest mile is 12.4%, and the steepest five miles average 9.4%. About a quarter of the climb is at 10% or steeper.
There are a couple of brief descents in the first seven miles, and a flat stretch of about 0.75 mile begins just before the right turn from Pine Canyon Drive onto Highway 224 (marked as Park City). After that turn the last 0.9 mile eases to a mild grade, so the hard work is done by mile seven.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way and was repaved in 2018, and it was in excellent condition when we rode it. It is narrow with no center stripe. Empire Pass (SR 224) is closed in winter, typically from early November through mid to late May; in 2026 UDOT opened the Empire Pass gate in mid-April, while Guardsman Pass to Big Cottonwood Canyon followed on May 11. Check roadway conditions at Utah Department of Transportation.
Traffic: Light. When the gate opened in April 2026, a local columnist found few cars on the road down to Midway and bicycles everywhere, with riders coasting downhill and others climbing.
Parking: There is parking near the start of the climb (Map; Street View), or at Wasatch Mountain State Park (Map; Street View) at 1281 Warm Springs Road, just 0.7 miles from the start of our climb. The park charges a day-use fee, so check current rates and hours before you leave a car there.
Provisions: There is no food or water on this climb. There are provisions in Midway near the start of the climb and in Park City 5 miles down the backside of Empire Pass, so fill your bottles before you start.
Gear: Proper gearing is important on a climb with extended stretches of 12-15%. You will also be near 9,000 feet (8,964 ft) at the finish, so check the PJAMM Weather Tool for the forecast at the top near the time you expect to arrive there.
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 have stayed in Salt Lake City and Park City for our climbing trips to this area. Park City is probably the most central location for the climbs in this area. See our Park City, Utah climb area page for more information.
If you would rather sleep at the foot of the climb, Midway is a Swiss-themed town in the Heber Valley, settled by Swiss immigrant families. Swiss Days fills the town square every Labor Day weekend with more than 80,000 visitors, so book early and expect extra traffic if you climb that weekend. After the ride, Homestead Crater, a domed limestone hot spring in Midway, holds water between 90 and 96 degrees year-round (reserve early), and about 20 miles of paved bike path link Midway's town square with Wasatch Mountain State Park and Soldier Hollow for an easy recovery spin.
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kelvin
Calling this “Empire Pass-Midway” is pretty confusing because Empire Pass is technically only the connector between the Park City and the Big Cottonwood side (ie “Midway”). Once you’re over Empire Pass from Park City you’re technically approaching “Guardsman’s Pass”. What constitutes the bulk of this climb is actually called Pine Canyon Rd and is more or less the same as what they call “Guardsman’s Pass” except you take a right for PC instead of continuing up the much steeper finish of Guardsman’s when you get to the top of Pine Canyon. A lot of these naming conventions are holdovers from the Tour of Utah stages. Most people will refer to “Empire Pass” as being approached from the Park City side. This climb is more accurately referred to as Pine Canyon up to Empire Pass. While the “Guardsman’s Pass” climb is Pine Canyon up to Guardsman’s. Just like what they call “Guardsman’s” Pine Canyon is best tackled mid week or after the road closes for the season.
Tinypip
Absolutely amazing road surface, 10/10 asphalt. Wide road, few cars, but plenty of space for cars to easily pass. Descent line of sight for cars to see you as you crawl up the hill
