Sugarloaf Drive 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 Sugarloaf Drive climb?

5.6 miles (9.0 km) at 4.8% on average, climbing 1,411 ft (430 m) from 4,117 ft to 5,528 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 10.3%. That makes it a Category 2 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 35.80644, -118.66426, where Sugarloaf Drive leaves Old Stage Road, and tops out at Sugarloaf Campground at 35.83411, -118.6134.

Is Sugarloaf Drive 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.

• Sugarloaf Road from Sugarpine TrailCat 2 · 4.8 mi at 7.1% · 1,785 ft · starts 3.5 mi away
• Hot Springs DriveCat 3 · 3.9 mi at 5% · 1,027 ft · starts 5.1 mi away
• Tyler Creek DriveCat 3 · 2.4 mi at 4.4% · 561 ft · starts 5.6 mi away
• M-56 near PortervilleCat 3 · 3.4 mi at 3.7% · 656 ft · starts 6.0 mi away
• Sugarloaf RoadCat 3 · 4.4 mi at 4% · 925 ft · starts 6.4 mi away
• Alder Creek RoadCat 1 · dirt · 7.2 mi at 6.1% · 2,306 ft · starts 6.6 mi away
• Parker Pass RoadHC · 9.6 mi at 6% · 3,015 ft · starts 6.7 mi away
• Whites Mill RoadCat 1 · 5.6 mi at 7.3% · 2,146 ft · starts 7.6 mi away