Bald Mountain Pass
Bald Mountain Pass is a Category 3 climb in the US spanning 10.7 km at a 4.03% average gradient, rising 431 m to a summit at 3,240 m. Moderate but high-altitude.
- Length
- 10.7km
- Avg
- 4.0%
- Max
- 9.5%
- Summit
- 3,240m
- Ascent
- 528m
The climb
Gradient profile
Bald Mountain Pass Cycling Climb
Bald Mountain Pass sits at a genuine high-altitude finish — 3,240 m at the summit — making it more demanding than its Category 3 rating and moderate average gradient suggest. The climb runs 10.7 km with a 431 m net elevation gain, but total ascent reaches 528 m, which tells you the road isn't a straight ramp. There are undulations along the way, and those extra 97 m of climbing add up when the air is thin.
How the Gradient Unfolds
The 4.03% average gradient is manageable on paper. At sea level, a rider comfortable with their FTP would find this a tempo effort at worst. At 3,000+ m, the calculus shifts. The start elevation of 2,809 m means you're already well above the point where oxygen availability begins to meaningfully affect output — expect perceived effort to run ahead of actual power.
The maximum gradient of 9.54% signals at least one punchy section that breaks from the otherwise rolling character of the climb. That spike won't last the full length, but it arrives in a context where legs and lungs are already working harder than the numbers alone imply. Treat that ramp as a moment to manage, not attack, unless you have a strong feel for how altitude affects your personal ceiling.
Pacing Notes
- Start conservative. The opening kilometers at over 2,800 m elevation are not the place to establish a hard tempo. A controlled effort in the lower third pays dividends at the top.
- Account for total ascent, not just net gain. The 528 m total ascent versus 431 m net gain means the road dips and rolls. Resist the urge to surge on any descent — those meters come back.
- Watch for the steep section. The 9.54% max gradient is the one place where cadence can collapse quickly. If you're riding without a power meter, use cadence as your proxy — keep it above 75 rpm through the steepest pitch to avoid neuromuscular fatigue that compounds on the final approach to 3,240 m.
- Altitude adjusts your target power. If you've used the FTP estimator at lower elevation, shade your power targets down by a meaningful margin here. There's no reliable single percentage to apply — it depends on acclimatization — but erring conservative on the lower slopes is the right default.
Gearing
For most riders, a compact chainset (50/34) paired with an 11-32 or 11-34 cassette will cover the full gradient range comfortably. The average gradient doesn't demand the lowest gears, but the 9.54% maximum — combined with altitude — justifies having them available. Riders on a standard 53/39 setup should be confident their 28 or 30 sprocket is sufficient before committing to that configuration on a high-altitude day.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 10.7 km |
| Average Gradient | 4.03% |
| Maximum Gradient | 9.54% |
| Net Elevation Gain | 431 m |
| Total Ascent | 528 m |
| Start Elevation | 2,809 m |
| Summit Elevation | 3,240 m |
| Category | 3 |
Bald Mountain Pass rewards patience. The category understates the altitude penalty, and the gap between average and maximum gradient means the climb has at least one section that demands respect. Ride the opening kilometers within yourself, manage the steep pitch when it arrives, and the summit at 3,240 m is well within reach for any rider who plans ahead.