Carnero Pass

Overview

Carnero Pass is a Category 3 climb in the United States, running 7.8 km from a start elevation of 2,816 m to a summit at 3,108 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 292 m at an average gradient of 3.74%. On paper that is a moderate grade, the kind of number that suggests a steady, rhythmic effort rather than a wall.

The average, though, tells only part of the story. The total ascent for the climb is 332 m against a net gain of 292 m, a 40 m gap that reveals genuine undulation: sections where the road dips or flattens before pitching up again. That extra 40 m of climbing is repaid over the length of the pass, and it means the effort is punctuated rather than continuous. You will lose and regain momentum, so the climb feels harder in the legs than a smooth 3.74% would imply.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 3.74% average hides both easier and steeper terrain. The maximum gradient reaches 10.37%, roughly three times the average, so the steep pitches are concentrated in short, sharp ramps rather than spread evenly across the ascent. Between those ramps sit flatter and recovering sections that pull the average down.

• Flatter or recovery stretches where you can shift up and settle back into rhythm
• Repeated short climbs separated by dips, the signature of the 40 m of extra ascent
• A steepest ramp touching 10.37% that demands a decisive gear change and a brief surge in effort

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chasing an even speed is a trap: holding the same pace over the 10.37% ramps forces you far over your limit, then you coast the flats and waste the recovery. Pace to an even effort instead. Anchor your climb to a target sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the terrain, easing back slightly on the ramps and pressing gently on the flatter sections to keep the effort constant.

If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before you ride and set a power band you can hold for the full 7.8 km without cracking on the steep pitches.

Gearing

The gearing that matters is the gearing for the steepest 10.37% ramp, not the average. A compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette will keep your cadence up when the road kicks. Something in the range of a 34×32 or 34×34 bottom gear gives you room to spin over the steep sections without grinding at low cadence and burning matches. Check your setup before the ride so you are not caught in the wrong gear on the first ramp.

Summary

• Length: 7.8 km
• Average gradient: 3.74%
• Maximum gradient: 10.37%
• Net elevation gain: 292 m
• Total ascent: 332 m
• Category: 3

Carnero Pass is a moderate Category 3 climb whose modest average masks an undulating profile and short steep ramps. Pace to an even effort, gear for the steepest pitch, and the 292 m of net climbing will come without drama.