19.7
PDI
12.8 mi
DISTANCE
3,305 ft
GAINED
4.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA, USA; Penny Fink, Westlake Village, CA, USA.
INTRO
This is a must-do climb if you are anywhere in the area and worth the trip even if you are not - this is one of the most scenic bike climbs in the US.
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. Average grade is 5%. 42% of the climb is at 0-5% and 53% is at 5-10%. The steepest quarter-mile is 9.3% and the steepest mile 7.3%.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: Two lane highway in good condition with a shoulder to ride in much of the ride.
Traffic: Moderate to heavy during the day. We recommend doing this climb early morning and on a weekend if possible.
Parking: Park on the street in Ouray near or at the climb start, or at the big parking area one-third mile up from the start of the climb (Map; Street View).
Provisions: None on the climb but plenty in Ouray where the climb begins.
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.
Seriously consider doing this climb along with Red Mountain Pass South as an out and back at 45 miles 5,160' of climbing (Map).
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
CURRENT WEATHER
PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES
Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY
FROM No Climbs Found
MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
LOG IN HERE
golmstead
I did this climb as part of Ride the Rockies 2021. It was a beautiful climb, going through the forests, up into the mountains. The road was pretty good, bu there were some shoulders that were slumped over a bit where the hillside below was eroding a bit. The traffic wasn't too bad, maybe because there were hundreds of other riders on the climb, with me, and the cars just steered clear of everybody.
jsummers
A solid climb to altitude, the scenery is the main draw and a chance to finish above 11,000 feet. It has nice switchbacks down low and up top with most of its more solid grade over the initial third. Traffic is really the only drawback so pick a week day if possible. Fun descent as well.
