Mt. Shasta  Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

8.5
FIETS
14.2 mi
DISTANCE
4,188 ft
GAINED
5.6 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA; Stacy Topping, Tacoma, WA

INTRO

Mt. Shasta is by far the furthest north of California's 12 true Fourteeners and an exceptional climbing experience. This is one of the great California cycling experiences.  You may be interested in doing Mt. Shasta as a bike-hike (see "Full Summary").

"Mount Shasta is a scenic climb toward its namesake mountain that is perhaps the most difficult in northern California.  From the start the road immediately begins to climb up the southeast flank of the mountain.  After just less than a mile, turn left on Everett Memorial Highway to soon find more solid grade.  In several more miles you enter a pine forest which you glide in and out of all the way to the top with views of massive snow-capped Mount Shasta..." (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson, from The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in California, pg. 64.)
The average grade of Mt. Shasta is 5.7% and the climb remains a fairly consistent one with 58% (8.2 miles) in the 5-10% range and 39% in the 0-5% range with only a fraction of descent and grade 10%+.  The steepest quarter-mile is 8.3% and steepest continuous mile is a very manageable 6.9%. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Excellent.

Traffic:  Minimal.

Parking:  At the start of the climb: MapStreet View.
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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 have stayed in the adorable mountain town of Shasta where the climb begins.  There are also many options for peaceful vacation rental cottages and cabins in the area as well.

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MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Challenging
5
Road
4
Traffic
3
Scenery

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May 1, 2021
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 5
May 1, 2021
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 5
A steady gradient, but still a good challenge due to the length. There are places to stay in Shasta, or you can do the climb as a day stop while working in some other ones (Lassen, Mt. Ashland, etc.).
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Rocky summit of Mt. Shasta

Cycling Mt. Shasta, a Northern California landmark.

Ride 14.2 miles gaining 4,281’ to 7,821’ elevation at 5.6% average grade.

Before heading out to tackle Mt. Shasta by bike, be sure to rely on our list of Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip, and use our interactive checklist to ensure you don't forget anything.

Climb summary by PJAMM’s John Johnson.

Ranked #56 on the Top 100 list, Mt. Shasta  is one of three Top 100 climbs in Northern California/Southern Oregon. Mt. Shasta can be a bit of a trek to reach. It’s located 290 miles north of San Francisco, CA and 360 miles south of Portland, OR.  However, we do place this climb, along with Mt. Ashland 70 miles north, as a Destination Climb, i.e., one worthy of traveling to just for the climb(s).  

photo collage, PJAMM Cyclists stand at summit of Mt. Shasta, rocky terrain, National Forest Service for Shasta Trinity National Forest, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Beginning just off Interstate 5 in the small northern California town of Mt. Shasta (population 3,400) Mt. Shasta rises above all else in the area and is prominent from many vantage points, including Mt. Ashland [photo] and the Parks Creek climb [photo].  The grade is never too steep and this is a very pleasant climb - both in terms of the challenge (challenging, but not brutally so) and scenery.  

The first  0.9 miles of the climb is along Ski Village Drive.  

Shasta Trinity National Forest sign

Start the bike climb in  Mt. Shasta CA

The climb is within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (est. 1954; 2,290,832 acres).  

Turn left at mile 0.9 onto Everitt Memorial Highway and there are no more roads to deal with until we top out at 14.2 miles at elevation 7,829.  After turning onto Everitt Memorial Highway we are soon surrounded by thick pine forest which surrounds us for much of the first half of the climb.  There is one particularly striking straight stretch where we travel through an avenue of very thick uniformly spaced tall pines - this is but one of the many exceptional experiences/views we have on our way up the mountain.

two lane highway road flanked by tall pine trees

Surrounded by thick forest and tall pines as we cycle up Mt. Shasta.

PJAMM Cyclist rides on two-lane alpine roadway

 Between miles 10 and 11 we come into full view of Mt. Shasta and it is here that we have a great photo op!

PJAMM Cyclist stands in roadway with Mt. Shasta behind him

There are many views southerly of distant mountain ranges and ridges in the Cascade Mountain Range over the last third of the climb.  

Sweeping views of the mountain range and evergreen tree forests

PJAMM Cyclist stands with bike atop rocky mountain finish of Mt. Shasta bike climb     

Finish - Mt. Shasta in the background.

Roadway Surface and Traffic Report:  The roadway is pristine and traffic is light.  The speed limit is 35 mph and this ride has a safe and comfortable feel to it.

Mt. Shasta road conditions and closures are located here.  

We highly recommend this climb - it is magnificent! For a beautiful and challenging cycling climb, check out Mt. Shasta.

Four PJAMM Cyclists smile with bikes at top of Mt. Shasta road bike climb

Mountain High.  👍😄

PJAMM SETS FASTEST KNOWN TIME (FKT) BIKE-RUN MT. SHASTA

Link to record by Tayler Hockett and Brad Butterfield.

Note.  See slideshow on Climb Page for PJAMM’s Great Bike-Hike Adventure of Mt. Shasta - cycling to Bunny Flats 11.5 miles then hiking the remaining five miles and 7,000’ (21% average grade).

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We took a wrong turn on the way - 2017 - no mistakes 2019. 👍

Cycling Mt. Shasta, California - PJAMM Cyclist climbs in the snow to the summit of Mt. Shasta

Steeeeep!

panoramic view looking down from Mt. Shasta summit at sunrise

Early start . . .

PJAMM Cyclist gives thumbs up at the summit of the Mt. Shasta bike climb.

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