Beartooth Pass

What Beartooth Pass Is Like to Ride

Beartooth Pass sits entirely above 2,776 m at its base — you are already at serious altitude before you turn a pedal. That context matters. The air is thin from the first kilometer, and any effort that feels manageable at sea level will demand measurably more at this elevation. Factor that into your target power before you start.

The climb runs 13.8 km with a net elevation gain of 561 m, but the total ascent figure of 743 m tells the real story: the road does not simply march upward. There are undulations, false flats, and short descents baked into the profile, which means you will actually climb more than the start-to-finish difference suggests. Budget for that extra work.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The average gradient of 4.06% reads as moderate on paper, and across much of the climb that is accurate — long stretches of manageable pitch where you can settle into a sustainable rhythm. However, the road regularly steepens, and the maximum gradient reaches 10.3%. Those sharper ramps are not sprinkled evenly; when they arrive, they tend to arrive abruptly.

The mismatch between the average and maximum gradient — a spread of more than 6 percentage points — signals a climb with real variance. Riders who pace purely to the average will be caught off guard by the steeper sections. Treat the gentler grades as recovery opportunities rather than invitations to push, because the harder ramps will cost you if your legs are already loaded.

As a Category 2 climb, Beartooth Pass carries meaningful difficulty. It is not an HC wall, but it is not a throwaway either. Respect the category and plan accordingly.

Pacing Notes

• Start conservatively. The base elevation means your aerobic ceiling is lower than normal. If you use power, target a percentage of your altitude-adjusted FTP, not your sea-level number. If you are unsure of your current FTP, use the FTP estimator before the trip.
• Use the flatter sections deliberately. When the gradient eases toward or below the 4% average, soft-pedal or hold the low end of your target zone. Let your heart rate drop. The 743 m of total ascent means you are spending more time climbing than the net gain implies.
• Anticipate the 10.3% ramps. When the road kicks, shift before you stall. Grinding a too-large gear on a sudden steep ramp at altitude is a reliable way to blow up your legs and your breathing simultaneously.
• Wind and weather are serious variables. At this elevation, conditions can change quickly. That affects both your thermal management and the effective difficulty of the climb if you face any headwind on exposed sections.

Gearing

For most riders, a compact or sub-compact chainring setup is appropriate. A 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide-range cassette — 32 or 34 at the large end — gives you the cadence options you need when the gradient spikes toward 10%. Arriving undergeared at altitude on a steep pitch is a much worse problem than having gears you never use.

If you are on a bike with a standard 39-tooth small ring and a relatively tight cassette, test your ability to hold 70+ rpm at the steepest gradient before committing to that setup. Cadence collapses fast when oxygen is limited.

Bottom Line

Beartooth Pass rewards disciplined riders who account for altitude and gradient variance. The average gradient flatters the climb slightly; the total ascent, the elevation context, and the near-10% ramps all argue for a more cautious approach than the numbers first suggest. Ride the profile, not just the average.