Potter Ridge Fire 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 Potter Ridge Fire Road climb?

6.4 miles (10.3 km) at 5.2% on average, climbing 1,762 ft (537 m) from 2,073 ft to 3,835 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 18.7%. That makes it a Category 2 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 37.33315, -119.71269, where Potter Ridge Fire Road leaves Melvin Road, and tops out on the road at 37.30684, -119.69215.

Is Potter Ridge Fire 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.

• Boot Jack RoadCat 3 · 3.7 mi at 5.2% · 997 ft · starts 2.6 mi away
• Southern Yosemite Highway from Royal Oaks DriveHC · 16 mi at 3.4% · 2,904 ft · starts 3.0 mi away
• Southern Yosemite Highway from Royal Oaks DriveCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 6.1% · 797 ft · starts 3.0 mi away
• Road 425BCat 3 · 2.6 mi at 5.7% · 781 ft · starts 3.5 mi away
• Indian Springs RoadCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 8.5% · 850 ft · starts 4.0 mi away
• Melvin RoadCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 5.1% · 758 ft · starts 4.6 mi away
• Jean Road EastCat 3 · 1.8 mi at 5.9% · 568 ft · starts 5.5 mi away
• Allen RoadCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 7.3% · 636 ft · starts 5.7 mi away