34.3
PDI
17 mi
DISTANCE
5,464 ft
GAINED
6.1 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Kestrel Blais, CA
INTRO
Anthony Peak climbs 17 miles and 5,464 feet at an average grade of 6.1%, rising out of the Round Valley near Covelo, California to the highest point in Mendocino County at 6,936 feet. The route runs deep into the Mendocino National Forest, starting on pavement before turning to a well-maintained gravel Forest Highway for the bulk of the climb. PJAMM's database currently ranks it 23rd hardest gravel climb in the world.
The summit is home to Anthony Peak Lookout, a wooden fire tower built in 1932 that remains the last staffed lookout in the Mendocino National Forest - a reminder that this is still active wildland firefighting infrastructure, not just a scenic overlook. On a clear day, the view stretches from Mt. Lassen in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, with a picnic table and pit toilet at the top for anyone who wants to linger.
This is remote country - the climb sits well within National Forest land far from any town, and the surrounding terrain is fire-prone, so road conditions and access can shift year to year with maintenance work or fire activity. Riders should check current Mendocino National Forest alerts before heading out, especially later in fire season.
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. Anthony Peak's 6.1% average is manageable on paper, but the segment data shows real spikes hiding inside it. The steepest 100 yards is a startling 33%, and the steepest quarter-mile still averages 17.5% - both indicating a short, sharp pitch somewhere on the route that's considerably harder than the rest of the climb.
Beyond that spike, the difficulty settles into something more typical of a long forest climb: the steepest half-mile averages under 11%, the steepest full mile under 10%, and the steepest 5-mile stretch averages 7.4%. In other words, most of the climb is a steady, moderate grind, with one notable exception that riders should be ready for rather than surprised by.
Given the length and remoteness, pacing around the sustained sections rather than the one steep spike is the smarter approach - save enough in reserve to handle that short pitch when it comes without blowing up the rest of the ride.
Roadway: The first roughly 12 miles out of Covelo are paved (CA-162). From there, Forest Highway 7 (Mendocino Pass Road) is a well-maintained gravel road for about 20 miles to Mendocino Pass, after which the final approach onto Forest Road M4 and the short summit spur is rougher Forest Service road. Conditions on the gravel sections can shift after storms or maintenance work, so check current Mendocino National Forest alerts before a trip.
Traffic: Very light. This is deep National Forest terrain with little through-traffic - mostly recreational vehicles, hunters in season, and Forest Service traffic servicing the still-staffed fire lookout at the summit.
Parking: No formal trailhead exists; riders typically start from Covelo, the nearest town with services, and ride out CA-162 to the forest boundary. There's a picnic table and pit toilet at the summit near the lookout, but no facilities along the climb itself.
A gravel bike with sturdy, wide tires is the right call for the unpaved miles - Forest Highway 7 is generally well-graded, but the final approach on Forest Road M4 gets rougher, and conditions vary with recent maintenance and weather. Gear low enough to handle the short, steep pitch near the top of the profile without needing to dismount.
This is remote riding with no services once you leave Covelo - carry all the water and food you'll need for the full 17 miles, plus a basic repair kit, since help is far away if something goes wrong. Sun protection matters too; long stretches of the forest highway are exposed.
Fire season in this part of Northern California typically runs through summer and fall, so check current Mendocino National Forest conditions and air quality before heading out - smoke and closures are both realistic possibilities depending on the year.
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.
Covelo is a small, remote town in Round Valley with basic services - gas and food, but plan ahead since options are limited. It's a fair drive from any major city, so this climb is best combined with a broader trip through Mendocino National Forest rather than a quick day mission.
Summer and early fall are the most reliable windows, though this is also peak fire season in the region - check current Mendocino National Forest alerts and road status before heading out, since gravel Forest Service roads here have seen both maintenance closures and fire-related restrictions in recent years. The M4 Road near Anthony Peak, for example, saw a temporary repair closure in July 2026.
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kestrelblais
I loved the isolation, and cool down in the Eel river. So very remote, pack in everything you need, including a water filter. 50mm-60mm tires are best for the last 1/3. Could be done on 40mm. Peaceful, wind sounds in forest, and desolate in a zen kind of way.
kestrelblais
There is a campsite at the base of the climb called Eel River Work Station. Great swimming there. The climb is well graded to Mendocino Pass, turns right onto M4 and gets rough then a bit chunky. Snow likely until May. Steady, fast climb with little car traffic if any. Some limited cell. Limited water from streams and a spring on the right by the big rock on private property, you can sneak in. The climb breaks down to 3 roughly equal sections, the first is hot and exposed, the mid point on the way up to Mendo Pass is forested, and there is a big creek with a dunk pool by the road. Second section is narrower with a bit of shade, then at the pass you veer hard left, it gets chunky and looser, with steep switchbacks and ruts up to the lookout. Super remote, I saw two people in 4 hours.
