Morris Ranch Road 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 Morris Ranch Road climb?

3.6 miles (5.8 km) at 5.1% on average, climbing 971 ft (296 m) from 4,505 ft to 5,476 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 9.7%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 33.61767, -116.62619, and tops out at Box Elder Street at 33.65532, -116.59028.

Is Morris Ranch Road 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.

• Thomas Mountain RoadCat 1 · dirt · 7.3 mi at 5.9% · 2,267 ft · starts 3.7 mi away
• Burnt Valley RoadCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 5.4% · 574 ft · starts 4.4 mi away
• Pines To Palms Highway near Palm SpringsCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 5.8% · 584 ft · starts 4.7 mi away
• Apple Canyon RoadCat 2 · 3.6 mi at 5.8% · 1,086 ft · starts 4.8 mi away
• Hill StreetCat 3 · 2.4 mi at 5.5% · 689 ft · starts 4.9 mi away
• Hog Lake Truck TrailCat 3 · 1.4 mi at 8% · 607 ft · starts 6.0 mi away
• Santa Rosa Road from Pines To Palms HighwayHC · dirt · 12 mi at 5.6% · 3,704 ft · starts 7.5 mi away
• Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway near Palm SpringsCat 2 · 7.3 mi at 4.5% · 1,745 ft · starts 8.4 mi away