Whew! Just got back from
this one today, kind of on a whim. Was out on Pierce->Mt Eden->Stevens Canyon and thought, "ehh, what the heck, let's see what all the fuss is about", and rode on out. MAN, there are some steep parts to that sucker! Good thing it's short! At the steepest part (around 18% allegedly, didn't seem quite that bad, though), my cadence must've been about 30 and I couldn't have been going more than 1mph in 39/32.
But, it was over in a flash . . . and the ride out Stevens Canyon to get to it was fantastic; the creek is flowing wonderfully from the recent rains; everything's green, peaceful and pleasant. I will do that again.