Sherman Pass

Overview

Sherman Pass is a Category 2 climb in the United States, running 12.1 km from a start elevation of 1,081 m to a summit at 1,703 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 622 m across the ascent, and an average gradient of 5.14% — solidly in the range where a climb rewards steady, controlled riding rather than raw punch.

The important detail is the gap between the two elevation numbers. Net gain is 622 m, but total ascent is 999 m — a difference of 377 m. That means the road does not climb cleanly to the top. Roughly a third again of the vertical you gain is spent re-climbing after dips and false flats. Your legs feel every one of those 999 metres, even though the map only shows 622 of net progress upward. Plan and fuel for the larger number.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 5.14% average hides the real shape of Sherman Pass. With 377 m of undulation baked in, the profile is not a uniform ramp — it alternates between climbing and brief recovery, and the steepest pitch bites at 14.29%, nearly three times the average. Expect the effort to come in surges rather than one long grind.

• Flatter and recovery sections between the steeper ramps, where the road eases or dips
• Repeated short climbs that force you back onto the pedals after each descent
• A steepest ramp at 14.29%, well above the average — the pitch that dictates your gearing

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant speed means overcooking the steep pitches and coasting the flats — exactly the wrong way round on a road with 377 m of hidden climbing. Instead, hold a steady sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the gradient.

Practically: sit just below threshold on the flatter recovery sections, and allow short, controlled surges over the steep ramps without spiking deep into the red. If you do not know your numbers yet, run the FTP estimator first, then set a ceiling you can hold for the full 12.1 km.

Gearing

The 14.29% maximum governs your setup. That is steep enough that stock road gearing will have you grinding out of the saddle at low cadence. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 low gear gives you a spin-friendly bailout for the steepest ramp and the repeated short climbs. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; discovering you are over-geared halfway up a 14% pitch is not the place to find out.

Summary

• Length: 12.1 km
• Average gradient: 5.14%
• Maximum gradient: 14.29%
• Net elevation gain: 622 m
• Total ascent: 999 m
• Category: 2

Sherman Pass is a Category 2 climb whose real difficulty lives in its undulation: 622 m of net gain, but 999 m of actual climbing. Pace it by effort, gear it for the 14.29% ramp, and treat the full 999 m as the number your legs will answer to.