Naches Pass

Overview

Naches Pass is a Category 2 climb in the US, running 7.1 km from a start elevation of 1,039 m to a summit at 1,508 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 469 m at an average gradient of 6.58%. On paper that reads as a steady, mid-length ascent — long enough to matter, short enough to attack if your pacing is disciplined.

The number that reshapes the effort is total ascent: 628 m against a net gain of 469 m. That 159 m gap means roughly a quarter of your vertical work goes into re-climbing ground you gave back on descents and flatter sections. The road undulates rather than rising cleanly, so you pay for pitches that never show up in the net figure. Expect to reset your rhythm repeatedly instead of settling into one gear for the duration.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 6.58% average is a blend, not a constant. With a maximum gradient of 16.51%, the steep pitches sit well above what the mean suggests, and they arrive between the dips that drag the average down. Treat the average as a budget, not a promise.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the road eases or briefly drops, giving back elevation
• Repeated short climbs that force you to re-accelerate and re-find your cadence
• The steepest ramp near 16.51%, where you will be out of the saddle or spinning your lowest gear

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant speed forces you to spike hard on every steep ramp and coast the flats — expensive on a profile with this much re-climbing. Anchor your pacing to a steady sustainable power output instead, letting speed rise on the shallow bits and fall on the ramps while your effort stays level.

If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before the ride and pick a target you can hold across all 7.1 km, including the 159 m of extra ascent the undulation adds.

Gearing

The 16.51% maximum gradient governs your gear choice, not the average. On a pitch that steep you want cadence to spare, so fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you a bailout for the steepest ramp without over-grinding. Check your setup before the ride: confirm the cassette clears the derailleur and that you can actually reach your lowest gear under load, rather than discovering the limit mid-ramp.

Summary

• Length: 7.1 km
• Average gradient: 6.58%
• Maximum gradient: 16.51%
• Net elevation gain: 469 m
• Total ascent: 628 m
• Category: 2

Naches Pass is a Category 2 climb that asks more than its net gain implies. Pace to a steady effort, gear for the 16.51% ramp, and respect the extra 159 m the undulation quietly adds to your day.