Trail Gulch 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 Trail Gulch Road climb?

1.3 miles (2.1 km) at 9.7% on average, climbing 682 ft (208 m) from 1,552 ft to 2,234 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12.2%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 38.81788, -120.78214, and tops out at Timm Mine Road at 38.82437, -120.79414.

Is Trail Gulch 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.

• Rock Creek Road near PlacervilleCat 2 · 4.7 mi at 4.9% · 1,227 ft · starts 1.6 mi away
• Darling Ridge RoadCat 2 · 5.8 mi at 3.9% · 1,198 ft · starts 1.9 mi away
• Mosquito Road near PlacervilleHC · dirt · 12 mi at 4.2% · 2,740 ft · starts 3.4 mi away
• Mosquito Road near PlacervilleCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 9.5% · 981 ft · starts 3.4 mi away
• Kona DriveCat 3 · 1.7 mi at 7.8% · 692 ft · starts 3.7 mi away
• Georgetown Road from Chili Bar CourtCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 8.5% · 991 ft · starts 4.2 mi away
• Georgetown Road near PlacervilleCat 3 · 3.4 mi at 5.8% · 1,040 ft · starts 4.2 mi away
• Grey Eagle RoadCat 3 · 2.6 mi at 5.1% · 702 ft · starts 4.4 mi away