26.4
PDI
12.7 mi
DISTANCE
4,364 ft
GAINED
6.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Hwy 18 - Old Waterman Canyon climbs 12.7 miles from the San Bernardino foothills to the community of Crest Forest on the Rim of the World Highway, gaining 4,364 ft at a 6.4% average. It is currently ranked #483 in the world in our database. Most of the ride is a fairly gradual climb on Hwy 18, except for a detour of about 2.9 miles at 8.8% along Old Waterman Canyon Road.
That detour is the heart of the climb: a single-lane, narrow and twisty canyon road that avoids the highway for a few miles. The rest of the ride is on busy Hwy 18, four lanes for the first stretch and a busy two-lane road at the top, where fast traffic and a limited shoulder make this a seemingly treacherous ride. We do not recommend it for riders who are uncomfortable with heavy traffic.
"This route includes single lane on steep Old Waterman Canyon Road. After 1.1 miles on four lane Route 18 turn right onto Old Waterman Canyon Road. Soon you descend a short distance but then the grade steepens as you climb a narrow and twisty road. After 3.2 miles get back on Route 18 to continue. This final section is over moderate grade and again four lanes and traffic most days. Toward the top the grade eases and the listed climb ends in the small community of Crest Forest." (This quote presented with the approval of John Summerson from The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in California, p 204)
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. Average grade 6.4% over 12.7 miles. The steepest quarter mile is 11.5%, the steepest half mile 11.0%, and the steepest mile 9.5%. The steepest 5 miles average 7.7%, so the climb is steady rather than punishing apart from the short steep pitches on Old Waterman Canyon Road.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button above.
Roadway: Most of the climb is on Hwy 18, a four-lane highway in good condition until about mile 8.2 and a busy two-lane highway with little shoulder after that. The exception is Old Waterman Canyon Road, a steep, narrow, single-lane road with tight curves and limited visibility. San Bernardino County scheduled a mill-and-overlay and slurry-seal resurfacing of Old Waterman Canyon Road in 2025. This stretch has a history of closures from fire and washouts, so check San Bernardino County road closures and Caltrans QuickMap before you ride.
Traffic: Heavy and fast on Hwy 18 - this climb is not recommended for riders who dislike traffic.
Parking: On the street on E 48th Street at the climb start - Map; Street View.
Provisions: Fill your bottles before you start and carry enough for the whole climb - the ride gains over 4,200 ft and finishes at about 5,677 ft, so the top can be noticeably cooler than the valley.
Gear: Bring a rear light and bright clothing, and use a mirror if you have one - traffic on Hwy 18 is fast and the shoulder narrows. Compact gearing helps on the steeper canyon pitches, and a wind layer is useful for the descent.
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.
The climb starts in Highland, at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, and finishes near Crest Forest on the Rim of the World Highway. Because Hwy 18 is so busy, many riders prefer to combine this area with quieter mountain climbs nearby, such as Hwy 330, Keller Peak or Hwy 38 - Valley of the Falls.
To see other climbs nearby, or build a custom route from here, try our Routes in the Area tool.
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JonLested
The lowest slopes before getting on Hwy 18 are TOUGH, hitting stretches of 13%. Once on Hwy 18 the gradient lessens and is more consistent. The views are amazing; however, keep your head on a swivel due to the heavy traffic on the twisty roadway. It is NOT for the traffic-averse rider. There are a number of pullouts/scenic viewpoints to take the scenery or just take a break from dealing with the traffic. If you want a two-fold challenge (climb and traffic), Hwy 18/Old Waterman Canyon is your ticket.
