Sierra Way Climb from Patterson Lane

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 Sierra Way from Patterson Lane climb?

0.1 miles (0.1 km) at 215% on average, climbing 774 ft (236 m) from 2,644 ft to 3,419 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 215%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 35.67984, -118.36984, where Sierra Way leaves Patterson Lane, and tops out at Patterson Lane at 35.68009, -118.37102.

Is Sierra 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.

• Sierra WayCat 3 · 0.2 mi at 85.3% · 784 ft · starts 0.2 mi away
• Bella Vista DriveCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 7.8% · 541 ft · starts 3.3 mi away
• McCray RoadCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 4.8% · 528 ft · starts 3.4 mi away
• Cook Peak RoadCat 1 · 6.4 mi at 7.4% · 2,474 ft · starts 4.3 mi away
• Fay Ranch RoadCat 2 · 4.0 mi at 6.7% · 1,427 ft · starts 4.5 mi away
• Bristlecone DriveCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 8.5% · 584 ft · starts 4.8 mi away
• Old State RoadHC · 11 mi at 5.4% · 3,173 ft · starts 5.3 mi away
• Evans Road from Wofford Heights BoulevardHC · 8.1 mi at 8.1% · 3,451 ft · starts 5.3 mi away