North Ponderosa 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 North Ponderosa Way climb?

2.1 miles (3.4 km) at 5% on average, climbing 568 ft (173 m) from 1,611 ft to 2,178 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 11.2%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 39.24493, -121.14226, and tops out at Lanya Lane at 39.23455, -121.12901.

Is North Ponderosa 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.

• Rough and Ready HighwayCat 2 · 5.2 mi at 4.2% · 1,175 ft · starts 2.8 mi away
• Eric Rood Memorial ExpresswayCat 3 · 4.8 mi at 4.1% · 1,043 ft · starts 3.2 mi away
• Bitney Springs RoadCat 2 · 6.9 mi at 3.2% · 1,158 ft · starts 3.2 mi away
• Deer Park DriveCat 3 · 1.2 mi at 8.8% · 558 ft · starts 3.8 mi away
• Pleasant Valley Road from Sanctuary RoadCat 2 · 6.4 mi at 3.9% · 1,319 ft · starts 4.3 mi away
• Pleasant Valley Road near Nevada CityCat 3 · 3.7 mi at 4.6% · 896 ft · starts 4.3 mi away
• Troost TrailCat 3 · 2.7 mi at 5.7% · 810 ft · starts 4.5 mi away
• State Highway 49 near Nevada CityCat 3 · 1.8 mi at 6.4% · 607 ft · starts 4.6 mi away