The road to Anderson Gap is one of only a few paved one lane roads that climb into the mountains above the Bear Creek Valley. It does this in spectacular fashion. I enjoy hard climbs. Anderson Gap isn't Sonora Pass in the Sierra Nevada or the Angliru. (a nasty one way climb in Spain w/consistent grades above 20%) It isn't long, but I have found it to be the most difficult climb in the Rogue Valley. The average gradient is 9.1%. It climbs from 2100 feet in elevation to 4100 feet in a little over 4 miles on pavement that makes county chipseal look like a wooden track. The pavement is so coarse that mixed with the sharp curves, the high speeds one would expect to reach on the descent are impossible. With all that going against it, it is still one of my favorite short solo rides in the valley. Very quickly you get to some of the best views of the valley floor and as you get higher you can see north into the Cascades all the way to Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen 90 miles away. The view to the west looks down on the Sterling Creek drainage (the big descent on the Woodrat Loop) with the Red Buttes above.

No doubt, it's a toughy, but the climb isn't long and it isn't very far from other great roads in the Medford area so it can be incorporated into a longer ride. If you live in East-Medford it can be done as an out-and-back ride of about 30 miles. There is a great viewpoint at about 3000 feet in elevation.

Take South Stage Rd. from Medford/Jacksonville to the intersection with Griffin Creek Rd. Follow Griffin Creek left for 2 miles until Griffin Creek Rd continues on a marked left turn. After two miles of moderate climbing the road narrows and steepens at a sign marked Anderson Butte Road. This climbs to the Gap where the pavement ends. If your bike is capable of riding on gravel the road left continues around Anderson Butte and can be navigated to the Anderson Creek road into Talent. If you do this, you'll get the open expansive views of the Little Applegate Valley with another 800 feet of climbing and long steep descents on gravel roads. Anderson Creek Rd isn't marked so contact us if you would like directions.

I have seen maybe a dozen vehicles total on the Anderson Butte road when I've been up there. Gravel Trucks are common in the first half mile. The pavement is harsh especially on the way down but the road is in good condition. The road is usually too steep and icy to be ridden in winter. At higher elevations, there are a few potholes. The two miles nearest the top are steep and can be gravelly - caution is required on the descent.