McKenzie Pass

McKenzie Pass cycling climb profile

McKenzie Pass is a Category 2 climb in the US, and the numbers point to a very specific kind of effort: long, measured, and easy to underestimate. At 26.9 km, with an average gradient of 3.72%, it is not defined by savage ramps. Its difficulty comes from how long you have to keep producing steady power while climbing from 606 m to 1604 m.

That combination matters. A climb with 998 m of net elevation gain spread across 26.9 km rewards patience more than aggression. The maximum gradient is 6.72%, so the steepest sections are hard enough to disrupt rhythm, but not so steep that they should force repeated anaerobic surges if you pace it properly.

How the gradient unfolds

The profile is best understood as a long aerobic climb with a moderate ceiling. The average of 3.72% tells you the road gives enough relief to keep speed from collapsing, while the 6.72% maximum says there are sections where gearing and cadence still matter. This is not a climb to attack from the base unless the goal is to pay for it later.

The key tactical feature is the length. On shorter climbs, riders can tolerate drifting over /glossary/ftp for extended periods. On McKenzie Pass, that approach is a trap. The gradient is gentle enough to tempt you into riding too hard early, especially because the road never signals danger with extreme steepness. But the accumulated load of a 26.9 km ascent means small pacing errors compound.

Pacing and gearing notes

Ride the lower half with restraint. The correct sensation early should be controlled, not impressive. If you are using power, anchor the effort below threshold and let the steadier sections do the work. If you are riding by feel, keep enough margin that you can respond to the steeper pitches without standing or grinding.

Gearing should be chosen for cadence preservation, not survival. The maximum gradient of 6.72% does not demand ultra-low mountain gearing for most prepared riders, but an easier climbing gear is still useful because the climb is long. The goal is to avoid torque-heavy pedaling late in the ascent, when fatigue turns a moderate gradient into a much more expensive effort.

A smart ride here is progressive. Settle in early, stay smooth through the middle, and only lift the effort once the sustained nature of the climb is fully accounted for. McKenzie Pass is not about one decisive ramp. It is about whether you can keep the same disciplined output all the way to the summit.