Cycling Black and Gist Roads
Ride 3.2 miles gaining 1,557’ at 9.4% average grade.
The Black-Gist Road Route is a short but deadly climb that begins across Hwy 17 from the Lexington Reservoir.The first 1.8 miles to the fork at Gist and Black Roads is 1.8 miles at 8.5% and the remaining 1.3 miles to the top of Gist and its intersection with Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35) is 10%. We are surrounded and covered by trees almost the entire climb.
Climb start - intersection of Black and Montevina Roads -
Just across from Lexington Reservoir off Hwy 17.
Overlap of Black and Gist Roads.
Christmas tree farm 7/10’s of a mile up Gist Road (1.9 miles from climb start).
Ride through the redwoods up to Skyline Blvd.
Finish at Skyline Blvd - just below Black Road and above Bear Creek.
A spectacular climbing day: Black - Gist - Thompson - Montevina - Soda Springs Roads (Map) - essentially no traffic and peaceful riding/climbing for 41 miles, gaining nearly 8,000'.
Roadway Surface / Traffic: This 2 lane road is in good shape with mild traffic the entire climb - this is a safe climb.