Cycling Sable Pass, Alaska
Ride 13.3 miles gaining 1,594’ at 2.5% average grade.
Climb summary from PJAMM ambassador Bryant Robbins, Palmer, AK.
The Denali park road is 89 miles long. It turns gravel at Savage River, Mile 15, and private vehicles are restricted beyond this point. There are three ways to access the climbs beyond there: ride your bike from Savage River (or the beginning of the road), take a bus, or book a campsite at Teklanika River Campground, mile 29. A reservation allows you to drive to the campground which serves as the beginning of the Sable Pass climb. From there it is possible to continue on to Polychrome Overlook, mile 46, and Highway Pass, mile 58. The park service biking information page can be found here - https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/cycling.htm
The ride is on a good gravel surface and is very scenic. We saw caribou, moose and a grizzly bear at closer proximity than we would have preferred. Bring bear spray.
Note: as of mid 2021 the road west of mile 43 is closed due to a landslide and is expected to remain closed in 2022.