Mt. Rainier (Stevens Canyon) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

14.6
PDI
21.1 mi
DISTANCE
3,791 ft
GAINED
2.8 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Steve Jones and Dennis Peck, Olympia, WA, USA; James Wallish, Seattle WA

INTRO

The road is immaculate and the scenery is breathtaking.  Definitely one of the best climbs in Washington. 

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ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Moderate
5
Road
5
Traffic
5
Scenery

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Olympic NP: Hurricane Ridge
United States (WA), Canada
8 ROUTES
19 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
125
mi
DISTANCE
14,009
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

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Sep 29, 2024
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
Sep 29, 2024
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
If you start this climb at the park entrance and continue to Paradise your total round trip elevation is just shy of 5,000 feet. The road is immaculate with much less traffic than the Longmire side and the scenery is breathtaking. Watch your decent as the grates can be a little jarring at speed. Definitely one of the best climbs in Washington!
Sep 29, 2024
Thanks much for the input James - we adjusted the route start per your input.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Mt. Rainier, Stevens Canyon

Ride 21 miles gaining 3,791’ at 2.8% average grade (3.9% climb only)

Ride summary by PJAMM Cycling’s Steve Jones of Olympia, Washington

Photos by Dennis Peck:

Stevens Canyon is a 21 mile 3,800’ climb on the southeast shoulder of Mt. Rainier in Washington State.beginning at the Stevens Canyon Entrance.  The canyon is named for Hazard Stevens, who made the first ascent of Mt. Rainier in 1870 with Philemon Van Trump, 29 years before its establishment by President William McKinley as the nation's fourth national park (after Yellowstone, Sequoia, and Yosemite).

The Stevens Canyon climb begins just after Box Canyon of the Cowlitz River (3,019’).

We spotted  a bear at the start of our climb in July, 2021

The climb begins at Box Canyon (3,019 ft.) on State Route 706 (Stevens Canyon Road), 10 miles west of the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the National Park (intersection with State Route 123), near the Ohanapecosh Visitors Center.   Stevens Canyon is typically one of the last roads in the park to be cleared of snow, usually in early July each year.

Cycling Mt. Rainier, Stevens Canyon, Washington - gorgeous red widlflowers and green grasses growing along hillside overlooking evergreen-covered mountainsides in distance

The Stevens Canyon Road

Great views of Mt. Rainier along the climb.

Cycling Mt. Rainier, Stevens Canyon, Washington - waterfall made by streams from the Cowlitz River

Streams feeding the Cowlitz River produce numerous waterfalls.

Cycling Mt. Rainier, Stevens Canyon, Washington - cyclist wearing PJAMM Cycling jersey standing with bike facing Reflection Lakes, evergreen trees and snow capped mountain behind clouds in distance across the lake

The Stevens Canyon climb ends at Reflection Lakes.

The climb is a relatively straight road up the side of the Cowlitz River valley, with plenty of sun exposure.  There are a few short tunnels and some storm grates, as well as a few small waterfalls, to keep your attention.  Two large switchbacks lead the cyclist to the top of the climb as the road passes Bench Lake, Louise Lake, and Reflection Lakes at 4,865 feet at the top of the climb.  After Reflection Lakes, the climb is over, and the road flattens for about a mile before its intersection with the Paradise Road in the Nisqually River valley (two miles below the Paradise Visitors Center).

Cycling Mt. Rainier, Stevens Canyon, Washington - Pinnacle Peak and Tatoosh Range as seen from roadside along climb, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Just past Reflection Lakes are views of Pinnacle Peak and the Tatoosh Range.

Finish

Ride west 2 miles past the finish to Inspiration Point for a great Rainier backdrop

Thank you Mollie and Daniel!!