30.5
PDI
14.9 mi
DISTANCE
4,993 ft
GAINED
5.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Nut Basin - Waterspout Roads climbs out of the Salmon River canyon near White Bird, Idaho, onto Forest Roads 354 and 441 deep in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. It's 14.91 miles long with 4,993 ft of gain, averaging 5.7% - a genuinely tough, remote backcountry gravel climb that ranks among the harder entries in PJAMM's database.
Per the Forest Service's own road classification, the first 9.8 miles are graded gravel suitable for passenger cars, but the final 5 miles tighten up considerably, becoming unmaintained for passenger cars as the road climbs toward the ridge near the old Nut Basin Lookout site - so a gravel or mountain bike with sturdy tires is the right call, not a road bike. This is quiet, deep-forest terrain, not a scenic tourist drive.
As of our most recent research pass, there were still no Strava segments or rider reports specifically covering this combination of roads, making it one of the least-documented climbs in the PJAMM database. If you've ridden it, we'd like to hear from you.
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. The climb holds a steady 5.7% average with no single brutal pitch, but the character of the road changes partway through - the first 9.8 miles on well-graded gravel climb at a manageable, consistent rate, while the final 5 miles, as the surface roughens and ruts appear, feel noticeably harder even where the grade itself isn't much steeper. Altitude and rough tread underfoot do more work here than raw gradient.
Roadway: Forest Road 354 onto FR 441. The first roughly 9.8 miles are graded gravel suitable for passenger cars per the National Forest's own road index; the final 5 miles are classified as not maintained for passenger cars, with ruts, embedded rock, and washboard becoming more common the higher you climb.
Traffic: Essentially none. This is a low-use Forest Service road serving dispersed recreation and the Nut Basin trailhead rather than any through route - you're more likely to see wildlife than another vehicle.
Parking: There's no developed trailhead or lot. Riders typically start from the pullout where FR 354 leaves US-95 at Slate Creek, a few miles south of White Bird.
A gravel or mountain bike with wide, durable tires is the right choice - the surface turns rutted and rocky in the final miles. Carry all the water you'll need, as there are no services anywhere along the route once you leave US-95. A spare tube or plug kit is a smart addition given the embedded rock near the top.
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.
White Bird and Grangeville are the nearest towns for gas, food, and lodging. This is remote National Forest terrain with long stretches of no cell coverage, so let someone know your route before you head out. If you want to stretch your legs at the top, the Nut Basin Lookout site is a short, roughly half-mile hike off the road.
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