Appaloosa Way Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Appaloosa Way climb?

1.2 miles (1.9 km) at 8.9% on average, climbing 571 ft (174 m) from 1,955 ft to 2,526 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 13.4%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 39.38432, -123.23206, where Appaloosa Way leaves Tomki Road, and tops out on the road at 39.37594, -123.21745.

Is Appaloosa Way paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Scenic Drive from Cave Creek RoadCat 3 · 1.2 mi at 12.1% · 751 ft · starts 0.6 mi away
• Scenic Drive from Appaloosa WayCat 3 · 1.1 mi at 9.9% · 564 ft · starts 1.3 mi away
• Mariposa Creek RoadCat 3 · 3.4 mi at 4.9% · 883 ft · starts 2.0 mi away
• Middle Road near WillitsCat 3 · 1.4 mi at 8.2% · 610 ft · starts 2.2 mi away
• Best Day So FarCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 4.9% · 597 ft · starts 2.7 mi away
• Old Boy Scout RoadCat 3 · 3.0 mi at 6.3% · 1,001 ft · starts 3.3 mi away
• Powerline Road near WillitsCat 3 · 1.0 mi at 11.1% · 561 ft · starts 3.9 mi away
• Gibson LaneCat 2 · 2.1 mi at 10.4% · 1,129 ft · starts 4.1 mi away