Death Ride: Tour of the California Alps
The Death Ride is a 3 mountain pass challenge (both sides, equaling 6 climbs), covering 103 miles and 14,000 feet of elevation. The best part about this event is the road closures, as it is 90% car-free (until 12pm on climbs 1 & 2, and until 4pm on climbs 3-6)! You collect stamps as you complete each climb and if you collect all 6 stamps within 13 hours (5:00am-6:30pm) you are officially a Finisher (and get to sign the Finisher’s poster, receive a pin and can order a Finisher’s jersey). I have yet to complete all 6 climbs (the most I’ve done is 3), but no matter how many passes you complete it’s a great challenge and so beautiful. It can be brutal in the sweltering heat (or in the freezing rain) and up the steep sections, but there are a number of well-stocked rest stops along the way. In my opinion, it’s worth the registration fee for the monumental climbs with no cars, whether you do 1 climb or all 6!
Don’t be intimidated by the event stats, because the route is set up in a way that you can easily modify and decide along the way how much you want to do. Below are the possible climb combinations along with the approximate mileage and elevation (from the start + the climbs and back to the start). Keep in mind, the ride starts at 5:00am but if you choose to shorten the route, you can start later - for example, one year I skipped the first two climbs and headed straight to the 3rd climb at 7:00am (which was perfect because the rest stop at the top didn’t open until 9:00am).
Climb combinations (approximate):
1st climb only - 30 miles | 3,800 feet
1st & 2nd climbs - 50 miles | 7,200 feet
1st, 2nd & 3rd climbs - 76 miles | 10,300 feet
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 6th climbs - 85 miles | 12,000 feet
All 6 climbs - 103 miles | 14,100 feet
1st climb only - 30 miles | 3,800 feet
1st & 2nd climbs - 50 miles | 7,200 feet
1st, 2nd & 3rd climbs - 76 miles | 10,300 feet
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 6th climbs - 85 miles | 12,000 feet
All 6 climbs - 103 miles | 14,100 feet
1st & 3rd climbs - 55 miles | 6,900 feet
1st, 3rd & 6th climbs - 65 miles | 8,500 feet
1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th climbs - 83 miles | 10,800 feet
1st, 3rd & 6th climbs - 65 miles | 8,500 feet
1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th climbs - 83 miles | 10,800 feet
3rd climb only - 41 miles | 4,200 feet
3rd & 6th climbs - 50 miles | 6,000 feet
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th climbs - 68 miles | 8,100 feet
3rd & 6th climbs - 50 miles | 6,000 feet
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th climbs - 68 miles | 8,100 feet
Climbs/Passes:
1st climb = Monitor Pass (east)
2nd climb = Monitor Pass (west)
3rd climb = Ebbetts Pass (west)
4th climb = Pacific Grade (west)
5th climb = Pacific Grade (east)
6th climb = Ebbetts Pass (east)
Note: If you decide to modify the route, please take into consideration the official rest stop hours and cut off times to ensure you have support and avoid being on the road when they open to cars.
Strava Route:
Climbs 1, 2 & 3
Participated in 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
Hotel Recommendation
Desolation Hotel, Hope Valley - located 9 miles from the ride start, this charming, rustic property has a number of historic cabins nestled in the tranquil mountain side where “rugged adventure meets conscious luxury”. The cabins come in a variety of sizes, and have been fully restored to feature modern amenities, including fireplaces and kitchens/kitchenettes. The on-site restaurant, Sorensen’s Cafe, is the perfect spot for a hearty meal the night before the ride.
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