United StatesCalifornia Parks Creek East
Parks Creek East Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

21.7
PDI
11.8 mi
DISTANCE
3,696 ft
GAINED
5.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): John Berude, Berkeley, CA, USA

INTRO

"The east side of Parks Creek is a superb mountain climb among pines in far northern California.  Somewhat shallow to start, the grade goes up and down in the early stages along with a flat section very close to climb start but soon gets more stout.  At mile 2.7 turn right to continue up the hill (head straight to a dead end and campground) into thicker woods.  It is here that the true nature of the ascent is revealed.  The road narrows to a wide single lane with a true alpine feel as it travels along the edge of the mountain with some exposure in places.  Very good views appear in spots where the trees part..." (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson, from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in California, pg. 62.)

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Parks Creek Summit East - a very remote and scenic Northern California bike climb.

From the east ride 11.8 miles gaining 3,837’ to elevation 6,859’ at 5.9% average grade.

This is definitely an "out of the way" climb in a rugged area of Northern California.  These are less scenic climbs than the other Top 100’s in the area, yet they are certainly worth a go if you are in the area, have the time and have already climbed Shasta/Etna/Ashland.[1]  The climbs can be accomplished as an out-and-back from the town of Mt. Shasta (map) and done by the ambitious on the same day as Mt. Shasta, or as day 1 / day 2 climbs.  

Mt. Shastina and Mt. Shasta are in sight due east at a few spots along the climb.

This is #90 on the U.S. Top 100 Climb List.  This climb is along a single lane road in an alpine setting in remote Northern California.  We ride along a ridgeline for some of the climb and have a couple nice views of Mt. Shasta to the east.  There are views of distant peaks and ridges of the Cascade Mountain Range along the way and the climb ends at the summit which  the Pacific Coast Trail crosses.  This climb is deceivingly steep over the second half (the first 5 miles are at 5.2% and the next 4 are at 7.2% before relaxing to 4.5% over the final 3 miles).  

 

 

Steepest ¼ mile begins at mile 5.2 (10.3%) and steepest mile at 5 (8.7%)

The roadway surface on this side of the summit is much better than the west side - there are a few potholes but otherwise the one lane road is in decent shape.   Traffic is very light and this is a safe climb.

[1] #59 Mt. Shasta 12 miles south,  Etna Summit  73 miles west  (via a roundabout route - not many direct routes in those parts)  and #95 Mt. Ashland 60 miles north, just across the southern Oregon border.