United StatesCalifornia South Lake
South Lake Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

33.2
PDI
18.9 mi
DISTANCE
5,561 ft
GAINED
5.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Ron Hawks, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

INTRO

close in a bit and the roadway narrows. Soon you encounter several steep sections with grades running from 10-14%. The torture is short lived howeer as the grade eases and the trees part just beofre the very top. The scenery is amazing on this section and the climb mercifully ends just above the stunning namesake lake at the end of the upper parking lot (route dead ends) at almost 10,000 feet.” (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson, from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in California, pg. 118.)

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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The average grade of this climb is a healthy 5.4% (5.9% with descent eliminated from the gradient equation).  The grade is never overwhelming, but it is made more challenging by the high altitude we ride to - the climb ends at nearly 10,000' where we have 30% less oxygen.  6.8 miles (36%) of the climb are at grades 0-5%, 9.7 miles (52%) are at 5-10%, and 1.2 miles (6%) are in the 10-15% range.  None of the climb is above 15%.  The steepest quarter-mile is 12.5% and steepest continuous mile is 8.9%. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  The first 11.7 miles on the highway is excellent.  There is not much if any shoulder to ride in, but there are no visual obstructions to drivers on this part of the climb and we felt fairly safe the five times we have ridden up this route. The final seven miles are on paved road that can be somewhat rough at times, but it is still good roadway. Inyo County Road Open/Closed Status.

Traffic:  Moderate for the first few miles on Highway 168 and minimal on South Lake Road.

Parking:  We either ride from our hotel in Bishop or park just off Highway 168 or on on Red Hill Road at the climb start - Map;  Street View.

Note: Check weather conditions with the Inyo National Forest Service for each climb you intend to do and the Inyo County road conditions website before traveling to Owens Valley to cycle anytime after September or before June. 
Provisions:  There are no provisions on the climb until you get to the Bishop Creek Store and Restaurant at mile 14 on South Lake Road. 
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.
Also consider riding to Lake Sabrina which shares its first 11.7 miles with the South Lake climb.  The finish up to South Lake is 4 miles at 6.1% after you pass South Lake Road. 

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area. 

When we are riding the climbs in Owens Valley, particularly those in the central and northern end of the valley, we prefer to stay in Bishop.  There are also vacation rental options in the area. 

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
3.5
Road
4
Traffic
5
Scenery

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Owens Valley: Bishop
United States (CA)
19 ROUTES
26 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
268.3
mi
DISTANCE
55,531
ft
ELEV. GAIN
Owens Valley: Lone Pine
United States (CA)
15 ROUTES
31 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
157.7
mi
DISTANCE
51,016
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

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Sep 6, 2023
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 3
Sep 6, 2023
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 3
September 5, 2023 First 12 miles gradually gets steeper. Lots of separation cracks during the first 12 miles. Not an issue going up but a bit jarring on the way down. First 12 miles are also on a road with a narrow shoulder and 55 mph speed limit. Moderate traffic all blasting past - mostly giving lots of room but 2 passed very close. Not a fan of the first 12 miles. However, the last 7 are on a new road with wide shoulder, lower speed limit and less traffic. Some stout climbing near the top and fantastic views on the way up. Hot temps on the way up but cool on top.
Feb 25, 2022
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 4
Feb 25, 2022
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 4
This is a favorite for me that I like to do in the fall. They have recently redone the road and it gets better once you turn off onto S Lake. It is great temps and beauty with the aspens if you go during fall! Also probably less traffic.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling South Lake, Owens Valley, California

#26 Top US Bike Climb

Ride 19 miles, gaining 5,625’ to elevation 9,840’, at 5.4% average grade.

Visit our Owens Valley Top World Bike Climb Area page.

The South Lake bike climb is one of the Top 100 most difficult climbs in the U.S. that begin in the Owens Valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the central/eastern portion of California.  Other Top 100s in the area include:  #6 Onion Valley, #7 Horseshoe Meadow, #10 White Mountain, #14 Whitney Portal, #29 Rock Creek, #34 Lake Sabrina, and # 81 Pine Creek.  

The first 11.7 miles of the climb are along Highway 168, which is a bit disconcerting at times with cars whizzing by at highway speeds.  The 11.7 miles to the turnoff to South Lake is a 5.6% grade with an elevation gain of 3,500'.  

Start at the intersection of Red Hill Road and Highway 168.

“The climb to South Lake shares its starting point and much of its length with Lake Sabrina. However, this one has a surprise in store toward the end.  At mile 11.6 turn left toward South Lake. After a small dip you enjoy several miles of shallow grade with some mountain views ahead. Toward the end of the route the trees close in a bit and the roadway narrows.  Soon you encounter several steep sections with grades running from 10-14%.  The torture is short lived howeer as the grade eases and the trees part just beofre the very top.  The scenery is amazing on this section and the climb mercifully ends just above the stunning namesake lake at the end of the upper parking lot (route dead ends) at almost 10,000 feet.” (This quote is presented with the approval of John Summerson, from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike in California, pg. 118.)

As with all Owens Valley climbs, we ride through Inyo National Forest much of the climb.

Inyo National Forest sign at mile 4.2.

The climb begins gradually as you ride for four miles towards the eastern Sierras (which seemingly take forever to reach) at an average grade of 4%.

First segment of the climb.

Highway 168, Bishop is the green patch top middle of photo.

Ride through a wide canyon from mile 6.5 for five miles to the South Lake Road turn off. 

Cycling South Lake - Hwy 168 - road sign

There’s a lot of straight for the first 11.8 miles of this one.

Turn left onto South Lake Road at mile 11.8.

First 11.8 miles = 5.8% to elevation 7,970’.

Final 7.2 miles at 5% to elevation 9,831’.

Store and restaurant at mile 14.

Fall colors in October.

But, you can also get snow in October!

End of the road.

 

One of the many Owens Valley climbs above 9,000’.

South Lake, just before the finish.

Dam and parking lot right bottom -- finish is in the parking lot.

Traffic and Roadway Surface Report:  The roadway surface is excellent and there is a good bike lane most of the way along Highway 168. Traffic, as can be seen in the YouTube video, travels by very fast along the 11.7 miles of highway and this is not a stretch of road for the faint of heart.  The last 7.2 miles are much calmer and very scenic.

That’s a wrap!