23.5
PDI
18 mi
DISTANCE
4,324 ft
GAINED
4.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ron Hawks, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Bruce Hamilton/Stacy Topping, USA
INTRO
Road closure: SR-153 through Beaver Canyon is closed. Flooding on the Cottonwood Fire burn scar in July 2026 washed out or undermined long sections of the highway, and UDOT has said the west side of SR-153 will not reopen for general travel or recreational use this year, with permanent reconstruction expected to begin in spring 2027. Eagle Point Resort will also stay closed for the 2026-27 winter. Please do not ride this road until UDOT reopens it.
Hwy 153 climbs 18.0 miles from just east of Beaver, UT (a small town of about 3,000) to Elk Meadows Drive at Eagle Point Ski Resort, gaining 4,324 feet at a 4.5% average grade to 10,308 feet. It is ranked #77 on the US Top 100 list. Coming from Salt Lake City, this is the first of the three southern Utah Top 100 climbs (37 miles north of #36 Highway 143 and 102 miles north of #75 Kolob Terrace).
The road heads up a drainage along a scenic creek over the lower half, enters Fishlake National Forest around mile 2.2, then picks up a few switchbacks and reaches a small valley where the grade flattens. The final 3 miles are the hard part, averaging 8.3% among big aspens, with the steepest quarter-mile at 11.5% and the steepest mile at 9.6%.
"The route up 153 to Elk Meadows is a solid climb to high altitude. The road heads up a drainage along a scenic creek over the bottom half of the climb. After a few scenic switchbacks the high mountains appear and you enter a small valley where the grade flattens. You soon pass the Elk Meadows ski area (right) where the grade increases..." (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson from his book, 50 Climbs (by Bike) in Utah, pg. 130.)
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. 4.5% average grade. 51% of the climb is in the 0-5% gradient range, 37% is at 5-10% grade, and 6% is at 10-15%. The steepest quarter-mile is 11.5% and steepest mile 9.6%. The last 3 miles average 8.3%.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: Before the 2026 flooding, a two lane highway in fair to good condition with minimal to no shoulder. The road is now closed: about 17 miles of SR-153 were damaged, with debris near milepost 7.5, several destroyed sections between mileposts 7.5 and 10.5, and half the roadway washed away near milepost 14. UDOT began emergency repairs in late August 2026 and is providing only limited access for property owners and essential users. Check UDOT's SR-153 update page before planning a ride.
Traffic: Mild before the closure; the highway is currently closed to the public and to recreation.
Parking: At the golf course parking lot on the left about 100 yards up from the start of the climb (Map; Street View).
Provisions: None on the way. There may be something available at the golf course near climb start, and there is a store and places to eat in Beaver a mile west of our start point.
Weather and Gear: The finish is more than 4,000 feet above the start at over 10,000 feet, so temperatures can differ sharply from Beaver.
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.
This is one of three top 100 bike climbs on the way from Salt Lake City to Zion or Grand Canyon National Parks. The next Top 100 climb to the south is #36 Highway 143, 37 miles away.
Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.
ROUTE MAP
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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
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Skotscott
July 14, 2023
94° when I started the climb in Beaver then got cooler as I ascended. 80° at the top. First 17 miles are a gradual climb on a good road with areas of no shoulder and some shoulder. Light traffic and low speeds so felt safe. The final 3 miles are the hardest with increased grade and altitude. At the top, take a left up a road with new homes to reach 10,200ft. Continuing straight on the main road, you'll do a short decent then a gradual climb up to the summit sign showing 10,000ft. Great decent. A few places where falling rocks have damaged the road but easy to ride around. At mile 10, you can cross a bridge and do a short twisty climb up to a lake and campground with a cold water spigot.
trier1992
Really enjoyed this climb. The start is along a running stream and at a reasonable grade. The end is pretty tough and a very daunting task to finish with.
jsummers
153 is a big climb, long and to high altitude. Shallow initial section lets you get warmed up and then some switchbacks give it an alpine feel. Many different looks on this one and it finishes with double digit grade among big aspens.
