23.5
PDI
4.6 mi
DISTANCE
2,291 ft
GAINED
9.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Scott Herrin, Boulder, CO
INTRO
Little Annie Road is a 4.55-mile gravel climb in the mountains above Aspen, Colorado, gaining 2,291 feet at an average grade of 9.58% as it winds from Castle Creek Road up to Richmond Ridge on the back side of Aspen Mountain. This is a serious effort by any measure, made harder by loose, rocky gravel underfoot rather than pavement.
The road climbs in earnest almost immediately and never really lets up - the steepest 100 yards touches 14.7%, and even the mile-long average tops 11.9%. Traffic is light, mostly hikers, mountain bikers, and high-clearance 4x4/OHV traffic exploring old mining roads, but the surface is rough enough that a gravel or mountain bike with wide tires is the right tool, not a road bike.
The name comes from an 1880s silver mining claim, one of dozens staked in the area the same year prospectors first pushed into the upper Roaring Fork Valley and Aspen itself was founded. Old mine remnants are still visible along the way, and the road continues past the top of Little Annie to connect with Midnight Mine Road, Richmond Ridge Road, and eventually Taylor Pass, making it a popular building block for longer gravel loops out of Aspen.
It's a seasonal climb - snow closes the upper section well into spring most years - so plan on a summer or early-fall attempt.
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. Little Annie Road packs 2,291 feet of climbing into just 4.55 miles for a punishing 9.58% average grade with almost no relief. The steepest 100 yards averages 14.7%, the steepest quarter-mile 14.0%, and even the steepest full mile still comes in at 11.9% - the difficulty is sustained, not just a single steep pitch.
The climb starts at about 8,642 feet at the Castle Creek Road junction and tops out at 10,933 feet, so thinning air adds to the challenge in the second half. There's no meaningful flat section to recover on anywhere along the route; expect to be in a low gear for essentially the entire climb.
Roadway: Little Annie Road is unpaved for its entire length, a rocky, loose native-surface road (Pitkin County Road 15G) that's fairly well maintained by county standards but still rutted and washboarded in sections, especially after spring runoff. A gravel or mountain bike with wide, knobby tires is strongly recommended; the road isn't realistic on a standard road bike.
Traffic: Traffic is light. The road sees hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and high-clearance 4x4/OHV traffic exploring the old mining roads toward Richmond Ridge, but there's little to no regular car traffic beyond that. Be alert for OHVs and side-by-sides, especially on summer weekends.
Parking: From the roundabout at the west end of Aspen, follow Castle Creek Road (paved) about 7 miles to the signed Little Annie Road turnoff on the left. A small parking area sits on the right at the junction. The road is closed to vehicle and bike traffic in winter and typically doesn't fully open until early summer once snow clears the upper sections, so check Pitkin County road conditions before planning a spring trip.
Bring a gravel or mountain bike; wide tires (38mm or wider) and lower gearing than you'd use on pavement are essential given the sustained double-digit grades and loose surface.
There's no water or services anywhere on the climb itself, so fill up in Aspen before heading out on Castle Creek Road. A basic flat kit and a pump or CO2 rated for larger-volume tires are worth carrying, since the rocky surface is unforgiving on tubes.
Aspen has several well-stocked bike shops in town for last-minute gear or repairs before you start.
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.
Aspen is a full-service mountain town with plenty of lodging, dining, and bike shops, all a short ride from the base of Castle Creek Road. Summer through early fall (roughly June to October, snow dependent) is the reliable window, since the upper part of the road holds snow well into late spring most years.
Combine Little Annie with neighboring Midnight Mine Road for a loop up to Richmond Ridge, or continue on to Taylor Pass for a bigger day; both connect directly from the top of this climb. If you're building out a bigger ride around Aspen, our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to see what else connects nearby before you go.
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