Mores Creek Summit cycling climb profile
Mores Creek Summit is a category 2 climb in the US that asks for patience more than violence. The headline numbers are straightforward: 15 km in length, 686 m of net elevation gain, starting at 1158 m and topping out at 1844 m. With an average gradient of 4.56% and a maximum gradient of 6.4%, this is not a climb defined by brutal ramps. It is defined by how long you can keep a controlled effort from turning into a slow bleed.
That matters because a climb like this is easy to underestimate. At 4.56%, the opening sensation can feel manageable, especially if the road is smooth and the gradient never punches far beyond 6.4%. But the cost accumulates. The decisive feature is not a single wall where the climb announces itself. It is the steady requirement to keep pressure on the pedals for the full 15 km.
How the gradient rides
The gradient profile suggests a mostly aerobic climb with limited extreme variation. The gap between the average gradient and the maximum gradient is relatively small, which points to a climb where pacing errors are more likely to come from overconfidence than from surprise steep sections.
That does not mean it is easy. A 15 km climb at this average gradient still creates a long load on the legs, especially because the summit sits at 1844 m. The practical feel is likely to be a sustained seated effort where momentum matters, but not enough to hide poor pacing. If you ride the lower slopes as if the gradient will stay harmless forever, the final portion becomes a question of damage control.
The key is to treat the whole ascent as one continuous effort rather than a sequence of attacks. Since the maximum gradient is 6.4%, there is no need to burn matches pre-emptively. The better strategy is to keep the effort capped early, let the climb come to you, then increase pressure only once you are confident the duration is under control.
Pacing and gearing notes
For pacing, anchor the climb around a sustainable threshold-adjacent effort rather than chasing speed. If you know your /glossary/ftp, this is the kind of ascent where discipline early pays off late. The average gradient is moderate enough that going slightly too hard can feel deceptively comfortable at first, but the 15 km length gives that mistake plenty of time to compound.
Gearing should be chosen for efficiency, not survival. You do not need a panic gear for a wall, but you do need enough range to stay seated and smooth when the road approaches its 6.4% maximum. A rider over-geared here will not necessarily explode immediately. More likely, they will grind just a little too much, recruit more muscular force than necessary, and pay for it before the summit.
A smart ride looks simple: start restrained, keep the gear light enough to avoid torque spikes, and resist turning every slightly steeper pitch into an acceleration. Mores Creek Summit rewards riders who can make a moderate gradient feel boring for a long time. That is usually where the fastest ascent is hidden.