Hauser 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 Hauser climb?

1.2 miles (2.0 km) at 9.9% on average, climbing 653 ft (199 m) from 3,301 ft to 3,953 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12.2%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 34.54553, -118.26693, where Hauser leaves Willow Spring Gulch Road, and tops out at Ritter Motorway at 34.54546, -118.25282.

Is Hauser 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.

• Willow Spring Gulch RoadCat 3 · 2.4 mi at 6.9% · 869 ft · starts 1.4 mi away
• Telephone RoadCat 2 · 1.9 mi at 12.1% · 1,188 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Bouquet Canyon RoadCat 3 · 3.1 mi at 3.4% · 558 ft · starts 4.4 mi away
• Anthony RoadCat 3 · 2.9 mi at 6.5% · 984 ft · starts 4.5 mi away
• Red Rover Mine RoadCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 5.1% · 666 ft · starts 4.6 mi away
• Escondido Canyon RoadCat 3 · 4.6 mi at 3.3% · 801 ft · starts 5.1 mi away
• Rowher TrailCat 1 · dirt · 3.1 mi at 13.5% · 2,208 ft · starts 5.7 mi away
• Lookout TrailCat 1 · dirt · 2.7 mi at 15.6% · 2,185 ft · starts 6.0 mi away