United StatesCalifornia Oat Mountain
Oat Mountain Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

18.7
PDI
6.2 mi
DISTANCE
2,694 ft
GAINED
7.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Charles Fann, CA

INTRO

One of the steepest kept secrets in the Los Angeles area, the 7.8% average grade really downplays this climb, which effectively should average over 11%. Besides being exceptionally steep, this climb is very rewarding, giving great views of the San Fernando Valley, the northern hills, the San Gabriel Mountains, and even the ocean.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Traffic:
Very light. The road dead-ends at a trailhead, after which it is closed to cars.

Roadway:
Paved, but in poor condition with potholes. A gravel bike would make the descent a lot more comfortable.

Parking:
We recommend parking at either Stony Point Park or Jane and Bert Boeckman Park within a short ride of the climb's start.
No provisions along this climb - make sure to bring enough water as these hills can get very hot in the summer.
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.
Blog article written about the climb:

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Oat Mountain

Ride 6.2 miles at 7.8%, climbing 2,694 ft and finishing at 3,673 ft.

At 3,733 ft, Oat Mountain is the highest peak in the Santa Susana Mountains between the Los Angeles suburbs of Chatsworth and Santa Clarita. This climb finishes at the radio tower campus on the very top, giving 360 degree summit views.

It’s not every day we come across a significant road climb in the US that’s not already on our site, but Charles Fann (Los Angeles, CA) sent us a route that broke into the top 200 US’ hardest climbs (#186/1665). Being in the neighborhood, it was only fitting that he gave us a personal tour of the climb himself!

Temperatures were cold when we clipped in on a late November morning. During the summer, these canyons can get very hot, and only the first part of the ride has shade.

Immediately, we’re greeted with 12-15% grades, but only for the first quarter mile. The next 2.5 miles are mellow, but the final 3.5 miles average almost 12%, and frequently reach into the 16-22% range.

The ride begins to get steep when you enter the “Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch”, or easier to remember, whenever you pass the fancy brick gate.


Views looking back into the valley are exceptional for the entire climb. After you enter the park, you’re high enough to see the Pacific Ocean over the Santa Monica Mountains.

At mile 3.9, you reach the abandoned Nike Missile Site, exactly halfway to the top in terms of elevation. This is a super cool place to explore, and builds in a much needed rest!

Climbing above the missile site, you get above the treeline into beautiful rolling hills. In the spring these hills are lush green with wildflowers, but in the summer and fall they’re a beautiful golden brown.

This climb is ridiculously steep.

The surface is good enough to ride on 23mm road tires, but you’ll be a lot more comfortable (and happier on the descent) rolling wider tires. We chose to ride our gravel bikes for this climb for this reason, as well as so we could tack on some singletrack on the way down (lots of good trails in this area)

The radio towers at the end of the climb.

For more on the Oat Mountain bike climb, read Cica Valley’s blog!