Morrison Canyon 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 Morrison Canyon Road climb?

2.2 miles (3.5 km) at 7.9% on average, climbing 915 ft (279 m) from 85 ft to 1,001 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 37.56617, -121.96054, where Morrison Canyon Road leaves Zacate Avenue, and tops out on the road at 37.57734, -121.93044.

Is Morrison Canyon 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.

• Palomares Road from Niles Canyon RoadCat 3 · 4.4 mi at 4.3% · 1,020 ft · starts 2.3 mi away
• Mill Creek Road from Mission BoulevardCat 2 · 4.3 mi at 6.1% · 1,362 ft · starts 2.9 mi away
• Utility Service RoadCat 2 · 1.6 mi at 15.9% · 1,345 ft · starts 3.6 mi away
• Peak TrailCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 10.7% · 915 ft · starts 3.7 mi away
• Kilkare RoadCat 3 · 3.5 mi at 3.5% · 643 ft · starts 4.4 mi away
• Vallecitos RoadCat 3 · 2.9 mi at 3.7% · 568 ft · starts 6.1 mi away
• Welch Creek RoadCat 1 · 7.2 mi at 6.5% · 2,503 ft · starts 6.2 mi away
• Castlewood DriveCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 6.9% · 778 ft · starts 6.3 mi away