25.3
PDI
22.8 mi
DISTANCE
5,347 ft
GAINED
4.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Emigrant Pass East begins in Stovepipe Wells, CA, and climbs 22.8 miles up to Emigrant Pass at 5,316 feet, gaining 5,347 feet at a 4.4% average. It is an extremely remote climb in Death Valley National Park. The first several miles seem almost flat and we are definitely in an arid, desert-like setting. We begin to climb into more mountainous, yet barren, landscape around miles 7 and 8.
The first 9.2 miles follow Highway 190, then the route makes its only turn onto Emigrant Canyon Road, which climbs through Emigrant Canyon from about mile 11 to mile 18 before a flat stretch and the final push to the pass. There is very little vegetation along this climb and no trees. As with most Death Valley climbs, the views are stark - desert and high desert - and the road is very quiet once you leave the highway.
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. 4.4% average grade. 47% of the climb is at 0-5% grade and another 47% is at 5-10%. The steepest quarter-mile is 9.4%, the steepest half-mile 8.1% and the steepest mile 7.1%.
The first several miles on Highway 190 are almost flat, the grade picks up around miles 7 and 8, and the climb through Emigrant Canyon between miles 11 and 18 is where it feels like real climbing. There is a 3-mile flat stretch beginning at about mile 18 before the final climb to the pass.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: The first 9.2 miles are on Highway 190, which is in excellent condition with no shoulder but unobstructed sight for drivers for miles. The last 13 miles are on remote Emigrant Canyon Road, which is paved and in good shape with no shoulder, although riders report a few bumpy sections on the plateau before the final climb to the pass. Emigrant Canyon Road was closed from January until April 25, 2025 while the park added buried concrete barriers and rock-filled baskets to protect it against flash floods after damage from Hurricane Hilary in 2023, and it has been open since. Highway 190 stayed open through the park during the November 2025 storm that closed Badwater Road and several other routes. Check the park's road alerts before you go, since flash floods can close roads without warning.
Traffic: On Highway 190 - mild, but fast moving. Minimal to none on Emigrant Canyon Road.
Parking: In Stovepipe Wells at the start of the climb, where the village has a hotel, a general store, a gas station and a ranger station (Map; Street View). Park entry is required: it is currently $15 for one person on a bicycle (good for 7 days), paid by card only - no cash - at the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, or in advance on Recreation.gov.
Provisions: At the Stovepipe Wells Store at the start of the climb. There are no services beyond Stovepipe Wells, so carry all the water and food you will need for the full 22.8 miles and the descent.
Weather: It is torturously hot in Death Valley during the hot season - average high temperature is 109 to 116. Consult the PJAMM "Full Forecast" feature for temperatures at the start and finish of your climb to be well prepared for the ride.
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 several times at Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel - it has a restaurant, pool and is reasonably priced compared to the two hotels in Furnace Creek. The village itself is a California Historical Landmark (No. 826), with its hotel dating to 1925, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, which stretch about 7 miles across the valley floor, are right beside it and make a good rest-day stop. The same road continues over the pass toward Wildrose - see our Emigrant Pass West page for the opposite approach.
See our Death Valley National Park page for more information or the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area.
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carlinguernsey
The first part of this climb is on a good road with lots of traffic. Once you turn off the main road, the amount of traffic goes way down and the road is not as good. You reach a plateau before the final climb to the pass where the road is quite bumpy in places (especially on the descent).
