White Mountain Peak (Bishop) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

97.6
PDI
31.9 mi
DISTANCE
11,963 ft
GAINED
6 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Dan Magaw, Auburn, CA, USA; Greg Mahterly, Encinitas, CA, USA.

INTRO

This is a VERY CHALLENGING mountain bike climb to the highest road (not paved) in California.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
We have heard that the first 11 miles are barely mountain bike territory. If you have any insight, please comment below!
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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 would suggest staying in Bishop at the Creekside Inn. Don't miss out on pastries at Schat's next to the Creekside Inn. 

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Extreme
2
Road
5
Traffic
5
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

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NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
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Apr 10, 2024
difficulty: Extreme
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 2
Apr 10, 2024
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 2
This is an amazing climb on a Full suspension MTB. on Silver Canyon there were 10 stream crossings in the first 5 miles. Sometimes over a foot deep in places. So plan on getting your feet wet. The grade keeps increasing as you approach the first switchback. Then it's game on as you climb 3,600 feet in just 4 miles at average 16.7% grade and ramps to 28%. At 10,480 feet you reach White Mountain Road with stunning views in all directions. The descent is my all time favorite on a MTB. Long steep very fast and challenging with breaktaking views all the way down.
Oct 13, 2022
Rode this on October 11, 2022 from start to the ridgeline on a Salsa Cutthroat with a 46T gear. It was not enough. This is NOT a gravel ride. This is an MTB ride with stream crossings, pyramidal shale rock that will slice your tires, etc. etc. If you carry water filtration/tablet/UV purifier you can carry 1 bottle then load up where the road departs from the stream, about a mile after the "DIFFICULT" 4x4 warning sign. That is also where this climb goes into hyper-steep, >15% IMHO.
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL
Route Data
S.G. (%)
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Segment Data
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling White Mountain to its peak from Bishop

Ride 32 miles gaining 12,025’ to 14,252’ at 6.1%.

This is a MONSTER bike climb - it would be #2 US/#7 World if ranked  

Greg Matherly writes:  It’s funny, I can’t really explain why Silver Canyon is so hard. I’ve done it 4 times. The numbers aren’t that crazy, but the combination of pitch, altitude, exposure, struggle for traction, the need to “power” over rocks/ruts...and maybe just the reality of knowing how much further you have to go? It punches you in the mouth!

Locked gate ~7 miles from the peak.

Photo and ride article:  TheRadavist.com

This is a fully unsupported climb over very difficult challenging terrain that becomes nearly impossible to ride over the last mile or so.

Some sections are tough even on a mountain bike.

It’s worth it!!!

Ancient Bristlecone tree (oldest

Photo and ride article:  Windinmyface.com