Cayuse Pass

Overview

Cayuse Pass is a Category 3 road climb in the US with a character that belies its modest average gradient. The 6.2 km route gains 304 m net from start to summit, but the total ascent figure of 607 m signals something important: the road is not a simple ramp. Elevation is lost and regained along the way, meaning your legs accumulate significantly more work than the net gain alone suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The average gradient of 4.88% is manageable for most trained cyclists, sitting in that zone where a steady tempo effort is sustainable but inattention to pacing will cost you later. The critical number is the maximum gradient of 14.82%. That figure represents a genuine spike — nearly three times the average — and it will arrive at some point on the road with little mercy.

Because total ascent (607 m) is roughly double the net elevation gain (304 m), expect the profile to include at least one meaningful descent or flat recovery section that resets the legs before the road kicks up again. This undulating structure means you cannot simply lock into one power output and hold it. The hardest ramps may cluster mid-climb or closer to the summit; without a segment-by-segment breakdown, treat every flatter stretch as an opportunity to recover rather than accelerate.

Pacing Notes

• Start conservative. At 4.88% average, the opening kilometers can feel easy enough to encourage overriding. Resist. The 14.82% maximum lurks somewhere ahead.
• Target a sustainable power. If you know your FTP, aim for 75–85% on the steadier sections. Use the FTP Estimator if you need a baseline before tackling this climb.
• Watch total ascent, not just net gain. The 607 m of total climbing means fatigue accumulates faster than the 304 m net figure implies. Factor this into your pre-ride fueling and in-ride nutrition timing.
• Manage the descents. Any downhill sections embedded in the route offer partial recovery, but braking and re-accelerating also burn matches. Stay smooth and controlled.

Gearing Recommendations

For riders without a compact crankset or wide-range cassette, the 14.82% maximum gradient can push a standard setup near its limits, particularly if legs are already loaded from the earlier undulations. A 34-tooth small ring paired with a 30-tooth or larger cassette sprocket will keep cadence manageable on the steepest ramps. Riders on a compact (50/34) with an 11-32 cassette should be adequately equipped, provided pacing has been disciplined through the lower slopes.

If your bike runs a 1x drivetrain, confirm your low gear before the ride. A 40-tooth chainring against a 42-tooth or 46-tooth largest sprocket is the minimum you want when a gradient approaching 15% appears.

Bottom Line

Cayuse Pass is a Category 3 climb that rewards disciplined, data-aware riding. The average gradient of 4.88% is approachable; the 14.82% maximum and the 607 m of total ascent are the figures that should shape your strategy. Treat the easier sections as recovery, protect your power reserves for the sharp ramps, and ensure your gearing is appropriate before you roll.