Togwotee Pass

Overview

Togwotee Pass sits in Wyoming at a starting elevation of 2,665 m, cresting at 2,941 m — meaning you begin this climb well above the altitude threshold where many riders start to notice a drop in power output. That context matters before you even look at the numbers on paper.

On paper, the stats look approachable: 8.1 km, a 3.42% average gradient, and a net elevation gain of 276 m. Category 4 on the standard climb-classification scale. Nothing here screams suffer-fest. In practice, the altitude exposure and a total ascent of 385 m — noticeably higher than the net gain figure — signal that the road is not a clean, steady ramp. There are undulations, and the legs feel them.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 3.42% average is honest enough, but the 8.46% maximum gradient reveals where the road bites. That peak ramp is more than double the average, which means at least one section demands a genuine gear change and a conscious effort to avoid blowing up your pacing.

• Lower slopes: The climb rolls out from 2,665 m with a gradient broadly in line with the overall average. Use this section to find your rhythm — do not get pulled into riding faster than your FTP supports just because the road feels manageable.
• Mid-section undulations: The gap between net gain (276 m) and total ascent (385 m) tells you there are short descents or flat shelves breaking the gradient. These are recovery opportunities, but they can also encourage surging — resist the temptation.
• Steeper ramps: Sections approaching the 8.46% maximum will feel disproportionately hard given the altitude. At nearly 2,700–2,900 m, oxygen availability is reduced, and efforts that would be comfortable at sea level become noticeably heavier. Treat any ramp above 6% here as you would a longer sustained effort at lower elevation.

Altitude: The Hidden Difficulty

This is the defining characteristic of Togwotee Pass as a cycling climb. Starting at 2,665 m and finishing at 2,941 m puts the entire effort in high-altitude territory. Riders not acclimatized to elevation — particularly those arriving from sea level — should expect power output to be suppressed. Even a Category 4 classification with a gentle average gradient will feel more like a Category 3 effort physiologically if you are not adapted.

If you are unsure of your current FTP and want to set realistic power targets for a climb like this, the FTP estimator can give you a baseline to work from before adjusting downward for altitude.

Pacing Notes

• Start conservatively. The altitude means early overexertion has consequences that compound over the 8.1 km.
• Target a power or RPE slightly below what you'd use for a flat Category 4 effort at sea level. A 10–15% reduction in sustainable power is a reasonable working assumption at this elevation for non-acclimatized riders.
• Shift early on the steep ramps. Spinning a higher cadence through the 8.46% sections costs less muscular energy than grinding a big gear, especially when oxygen is limited.
• Use the undulations. The sections that bring total ascent above net gain are brief recoveries — soft-pedal or coast them to clear lactate before the next steep pitch.

Gearing

A compact chainset (50/34 or 46/30) paired with a wide-range cassette (32t or 34t largest sprocket) is appropriate. The maximum gradient of 8.46% is not extreme, but combined with the altitude, you want the option of a gear that lets you maintain 80–90 RPM without straining. There is no reason to be heroic with gearing on a climb where the environment is already working against you.

For reference on how other Wyoming-area and Rocky Mountain climbs compare in terms of profile and difficulty, see the full climbs directory.