Schadd's 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 Schadd's Road climb?

2.7 miles (4.4 km) at 4% on average, climbing 581 ft (177 m) from 2,785 ft to 3,366 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 38.38846, -120.45028, and tops out on the road at 38.41295, -120.42184.

Is Schadd's 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.

• Ridgecrest WayCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 5.5% · 633 ft · starts 1.2 mi away
• Mitchell Mill RoadCat 3 · 3.3 mi at 3.3% · 568 ft · starts 1.4 mi away
• Blue Mountain Road near JacksonCat 2 · 7.6 mi at 4.1% · 1,654 ft · starts 1.8 mi away
• Blue Mountain Road from Poverty LaneCat 3 · 6.4 mi at 3.1% · 1,037 ft · starts 2.6 mi away
• Bald Mountain Road from Coon-HollowCat 3 · 3.3 mi at 3.1% · 531 ft · starts 2.9 mi away
• Lily Gap RoadCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 4.6% · 686 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Summit Level RoadCat 1 · 14 mi at 3.4% · 2,467 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Railroad Flat Road near JacksonCat 3 · 1.4 mi at 8.6% · 653 ft · starts 3.2 mi away