Conquer the Majestic Sonora Pass: A Scenic Drive Through the Sierra Nevada
Embark on a thrilling journey over Sonora Pass (Highway 108), a high-altitude mountain pass that connects the Central Sierra to the Eastern Sierra. This scenic route offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and pristine wilderness.
Key Highlights of Sonora Pass:
Plan your scenic drive over Sonora Pass and create unforgettable memories.
Sonora Pass Is Open: What to Expect Driving the Sierra Right Now Every year in the Sierra, there’s a moment when everything starts to come back to life. The roads that have been buried all winter begin to open. Snowbanks line the edges of the pavement. Waterfalls start pouring off granite walls. The rivers rise, … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Escape the crowds and experience one of the Eastern Sierra’s most rewarding early-season alpine hikes. Hiding just off Highway 108, Leavitt Lake is a rugged, high-elevation gem near the summit of Sonora Pass that offers solitude, snowmelt waterfalls, and glacier-fed beauty just as the Sierra awakens in late spring. … Read more
TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CA – May 12, 2025 – Good news for Sierra adventurers: Caltrans has announced that Sonora Pass (State Route 108) will officially reopen on Thursday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. after five weeks of intensive spring snow clearing. If you’ve been itching to explore some of the most dramatic alpine landscapes north of … Read more
Rodeo, Red Hills & the Spirit of the Sierra – It Motherlode Weekend in Sonora There’s something about rodeo weekend in Sonora that brings the soul of the Sierra to life. Maybe it’s the dust kicking up behind a wild bronc at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Maybe it’s the parade horses clopping down Washington Street … Read more
INCLINE VILLAGE, NEV. (October 30, 2024) – With early winter storms sweeping across the Sierra Nevada, travelers should be prepared for temporary closures on several popular Sierra passes. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has temporarily closed Sonora, Ebbetts, and Monitor Passes due to storm conditions, icy roads, and ongoing safety evaluations. Here’s what you … Read more
Sonora Pass (West) – Attention outdoor enthusiasts! Get ready to cast your lines, lace up your boots, and breathe in the crisp mountain air – Sonora Pass on Highway 108 is officially open all the way to Kennedy Meadows from Sonora in Tuolumne County as of today, April 24th! This news couldn’t come at a … Read more
Winter Passes Re-Opened to Traffic SONORA PASS (STATE ROUTE 108) | EBBETTS PASS (STATE ROUTE 4) TUOLUMNE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will re-open the temporary closure of State Route 108 (Sonora Pass) at Kennedy Meadows to traffic beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. ALPINE COUNTY – The California … Read more
A Quick trip of Sonora Pass Provides Insight on Snow and Recreational Opportunities Summer 2023 Sonora Pass Ca. – June 12, 2023 – Maybe Summer is finally here in the Sierra Nevada. This past week in the Sierra most of the Sierra Scenic Routes over the pass opened (All Accept Tioga Pas 120) giving recreational … Read more
Crews Clear 20 Miles of Snowpack to Reach Recreation Area TUOLUMNE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 10 will officially open State Route 108 (SR-108) all the way to the Kennedy Meadows Recreation and Pack Station at 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2023, after clearing away approximately 20 miles of snowpack left … Read more
STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 10 is closing three of its mountain highways this week ahead of the arrival of the first major snowstorm of the season. The National Weather Service is forecasting several inches of snow for the Sierra Nevada starting today, November 1, through Thursday, November 3, 2022.At 10:00 … Read more
Mammoth Ca, May 27, 2022 – As you head into your three day weekend for Memorial Day, Inyo national Forest has issued updates for travel and recreation sites. At this time even with an approaching storm in the Sierra today. All scenic routes south on Lake Tahoe are open. Tioga Pass into Yosemite opened today, … Read more
Caltrans Will Open Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass on Thursday, May 12, 2022 ALPINE AND TUOLUMNE COUNTIES — Oh, that most wonderful time of year. The Sierra scenic routes are opening! The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will open State Route 4/Ebbetts Pass and Route 108/Sonora Pass at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022 … Read more
STATE ROUTE 108/SONORA PASS & SR-4/EBBETTS PASS JOIN SR-89/MONITOR PASS STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) opened StateRoute 108/Sonora Pass at 1:00 p.m. and Route 4/Ebbetts Pass at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 15, 2021, after a storm closure.Last week, District 10 opened Route 89/Monitor Pass.Crews removed snow, ice, fallen trees and debris … Read more
STATE ROUTE 4/EBBETTS PASS, SR-89/MONITOR PASS AND SR-108/SONORA PASS TO CLOSE IN ADVANCE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will temporarily close State Route 4 (SR-4)/Ebbetts Pass, SR-89/Montior Pass and SR-108/Sonora Pass in advance of inclement weather expected to arrive in the area later this week.With snowfall predicted to impact … Read more
TRAFFIC ADVISORY – MOUNTAIN PASS CLOSURES -STATE ROUTE 4/EBBETTS PASS AND ROUTE 108/SONORA PASS STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) closed State Route 108/Sonora Pass and State Route 4/Ebbetts Pass at about noon on Thursday, May 20, 2021, due to an approaching storm that is expected to linger into the weekend.There is no … Read more
MONITOR PASS/STATE ROUTE 89, EBBETTS PASS/STATE ROUTE 4 & SONORAPASS/STATE ROUTE 108 CLOSING TEMPORARILY AT 10 AM FRIDAY MORNING CalTrans Road Alert – November 6, 2020 – Due to this weekend’s approaching storm, District 10 is scheduled to temporarily close Monitor Pass/State Route 89, Ebbetts Pass/SR-4 and Sonora Pass/SR-108 at 10 a.m. on Friday, November … Read more
Stay-At-Home Order Remains In Effect – Check Local and Regional regulations regarding parking and Covid Related requirements before traveling. Alpine, Tuolumne, Mono and Inyo Counties – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today it has opened seasonal highways in the Sierra after completing necessary road repairs and removing winter snow and debris in preparation … Read more
Expect lots of snow, but access over two of the Sierra Popular Scenic Routes opened today for recreational travel. TUOLUMNE COUNTY — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has removed the winter snow, cleared the debris, made necessary repairs and opened State Route 108 (SR-108)/Sonora Pass at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Sonora … Read more
This winter a series of strong storms hit California, causing extensive damage to roads, trails, infrastructure and ecosystems on California’s national forests. SONORA, Calif., May 17, 2019 – For those travelers making plans to head to the mountains for Memorial Day weekend and beyond. the national Forest in many of the Sierra Mountain range has issued … Read more
Inyo National Forest Opens Lakes Basin Road Wednesday Here Are The Most Recent Update For Popular Sierra Passes and Scenic Byways Sierra Rec Magazine, Eastern Sierra News – June 22, 2017- Almost on cue with the Summer solstice in 2017 road crews and county agencies have started to get the upper hand on the 2017 snowpack and access … Read more
Hoover Wilderness Backpacking From Leavitt Meadow Sonora Pass – Leavitt Meadow Ca, – Sonora Pass is known for its rugged steep drive over the Sierra. The vista-view points, access to the PCT and various backcountry lakes and hikes. However, for a true experience of Sonora pass a backpacking trip into the Hoover Wilderness provides an … Read more
Leavitt Meadow Pack Station Provides Quality Trip into Hoover Wilderness for Visitors and Guests Leavitt’s Meadow, Sonora Pass Ca – So does hiking 12 miles round trip seems a bit excessive to you? How about riding a horse and enjoying the backcountry all the same? Plus the Pack Horse can carry all you favorite items, fishing … Read more
