Ponderosa Way Climb near Tehama

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 Ponderosa Way near Tehama climb?

5.9 miles (9.6 km) at 6.6% on average, climbing 2,080 ft (634 m) from 2,126 ft to 4,206 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 10.5%. That makes it a Category 2 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 40.18363, -121.7112, and tops out on the road at 40.16426, -121.6779.

Is 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.

• Bucks Flat RoadCat 3 · 3.3 mi at 4.1% · 709 ft · starts 5.6 mi away
• Lassen TrailCat 1 · dirt · 7.7 mi at 5.2% · 2,129 ft · starts 6.2 mi away
• Ponderosa Way near ParadiseCat 1 · dirt · 6.5 mi at 6.7% · 2,280 ft · starts 7.8 mi away
• Ponderosa Way near ParadiseCat 1 · dirt · 14 mi at 3.4% · 2,487 ft · starts 7.9 mi away
• Humboldt RoadCat 1 · dirt · 6.6 mi at 6.1% · 2,129 ft · starts 8.0 mi away
• Tramway Road from Little Giant Mill RoadCat 2 · 4.1 mi at 5% · 1,093 ft · starts 9.8 mi away
• Lassen TrailCat 3 · 3.4 mi at 3.4% · 610 ft · starts 9.9 mi away
• Skyway from Butte Creek Flat RoadCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 4.3% · 577 ft · starts 11 mi away