Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4): A Scenic Drive Through the Sierra Nevada
A Designated National Scenic Byway – Travel Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway and experience glacially carved valleys and canyons, ancient volcanic peaks, and rugged granite snow-capped ridges. Two State Park gateways feature the northernmost groves of giant sequoias in the U.S. Driving on this narrow asphalt ribbon brings the backcountry up close, renewing spirit and body.
Embark on a scenic drive over Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4), a historic route through the Sierra Nevada. This high-altitude pass offers breathtaking views of alpine lakes, towering peaks, and dense forests.
Key Highlights of Ebbetts Pass:
Plan your scenic drive over Ebbetts Pass and create unforgettable memories.
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine There’s a moment in every Sierra spring where you can feel the season flip—when snow starts melting fast, trailheads begin to peek through, and scenic byways open their gates to exploration. This past weekend was that moment. With Ebbetts Pass reopening Friday and an invite to Clean Up the … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine The gates are open—Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) is officially open for the season, and we couldn’t be more excited. For those of us who wait all year for this stretch of rugged alpine beauty to thaw and welcome us back, this announcement feels like a personal invitation to rediscover … 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
Hey Sierra adventurers, get ready to dust off your hiking boots and fire up the motorcycles! Ebbetts Pass is inching closer to opening, and that means epic road trips, stunning hikes, and all the incredible adventures the pass has to offer are just around the corner. Caltrans crews have been battling the snow all season, … 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
Temporary Closure of Highway 4 Ebbett’s Pass ALPINE COUNTY- Tuesday October 24, 2023 – – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close State Route 4 from Lake Alpine to the Route 89 junction (Ebbetts Pass) due to snowy conditions, beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. There is currently no estimated time … Read more
Crossing the Sierra during the summer season is a right of passage for many that love to adventure into the Sierra for travel and recreation. Typically the three largest scenic Byways (Tioga Pass/ 120, Sonora Pass/108 and Ebbett’s Pass / 4) open in mid may to Early June each season and recreational visitors scramble up … 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
The Sierra, 500 miles of a visual spender and recreational nirvana, is almost too large to comprehend for the weekend warrior or once-a-year traveler. As summer comes into focus in 2023, winter leaves a rather odd feeling in my gut regarding what is left to discover. I have been exploring the Sierra for over 12 … Read more
Why HWY 4 Outside of Markleville Is Becoming One of My Favorite Snowshoe Locations Markleville, Ca – Snowshoeing near Markleville, Ca, has traditionally been about Grover’s Hot Springs State Park. But the 2001 Tamarack fire significantly changed my access and thought process in this region. Last year knowing that my traditional snowshoe locations near Grover … Read more
Sonora Pass Closed For the Winter Alpine County Ca. – November 15, 2022 – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 10 reopened State Route 89/Monitor Pass at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, after a temporary closure due to winter weather. Route 4/Ebbetts Pass remains closed from the east end of Lake Alpine … 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
Scheduled on State Routes (SR) 4 and 89 in Alpine County ALPINE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will temporarily close portions of SR-4 and SR-89 to all traffic, except for emergency, law enforcement and support vehicles, for the 2022 Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride. State highways will be impacted … 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 4/EBBETTS PASS, ROUTE 89/MONITOR PASS AND ROUTE 108/SONORA PASS CLOSED IN ADVANCE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER Sierra Region – December 8, 2021 – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has temporarily closed State Route 4/Ebbetts Pass, Route 89/Montior Pass and Route 108/Sonora Pass due to inclement weather that is expected to arrive in the … 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
Growing and developing fires in multiple regions of the Sierra Cloud the region in smoke and concern Sierra Nevada – July19, 2021 – As summer has progressed and warnings of drought have been continually issued, matched with record heat in June and dry conditions heading into July. We all expected fire season to arrive sooner … 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
FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURE STATE ROUTE 4 FROM EBBETT’S PASS TO SILVER CREEK CAMPGROUND June 16 -17, 2020 ALPINE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close State Route 4 beginning Tuesday, June 16, 2020, to Wednesday, June 17, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day for paving to repair a failing … 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
Ebbett’s Pass for those who choose to drive along its skinny mountain lanes provides some of the regions best high mountain lake fishing access. Mosquito Lakes Plop your chair down right next to the highway (if you dare) and fish through the Lilly pads and grasses for Sierra Rainbows. A great place to take the … Read more
FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURE STATE ROUTE 4 FROM THE EAST END OF LAKE ALPINE TO RAYMOND MEADOWS CREEK ALPINE COUNTY Sept. 23, 2019 – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close State Route 4 beginning Tuesday, September 24, 2019, to Wednesday, September 25, 2019, from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day for road work. … Read more
Alpine County CA – Just as the summer heat finally breaks through our long winter the single hardest cycling event in the Sierra The Death Ride invades the quiet spaces of Alpine County, Markleville and the various scenic byways known as the California Alps Saturday July 13, 2019. An annual tradition for hundreds of riders, … 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
Explore and Enjoy this Ebbetts Pass Scenic Trail With Local Trail Experts The Arnold Trail located off Hwy 4 just west of the Calaveras Big Tree State Park, is great location to explore the Western Sierra Region and experience a full moon sunset hike. The Arnold Trail Association leads several guided experiences each year and … Read more
Saturday In Alpine County California is Filled With Some of The Worlds Most Daring Riders Sierra Rec Magazine – Alpine County Ca, July 2018 – Here we are on the eve of the 2018 Death Ride in Alpine County Ca, and as I sit here planning my alternative route in the morning for my hiking adventure in … Read more
Discover the Active Lifestyle of Calaveras County Kayaking on Lake Alpine | SNAC-Arnold Upcountry exploring | Photo: Ben Davidson Hop in the car for a high country day. As you head up Hwy. 4 stop at the Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines for trail information and maps. For one of the best … 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
Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Backcountry Film Festival is coming to Bear Valley on Saturady, January 21st! Join us for a series of winter sports films and a short avalanche safety presentation hosted by the Nickolay Dodov Foundation. Admission is FREE, though donations are appreciated and go directly to the Nickolay Dodov Foundation. Doors open at 6 … Read more
Heavy Rains Topple Iconic Pioneer Cabin Tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park You know I often just repost a lot of the public service announcements from the Forest Service or our National parks. But today I find myself a little mournful of a treasure I will never get to visit. I live only … Read more
The Annual Death Ride in Alpine County will Run Saturday Closing Several Recreation Highways for Several Hours Alpine County Ca – June 9th, 2016 – The Annual Death Ride, this iconic event is back again in Alpine County California this Saturday. 129 Miles, 5 Central Sierra Passes, and 15,000′ of climb await each rider taking on the … Read more
Enjoy this short video of our team exploring the Ebbett’s pass scenic byway. Pacific Creek discovery
Arnold Ca, May 2016 – Calaveras Big Tree State Park in Arnold CA, off HWY 4 is a great place to visit year round. However, the spring brings about a delicate beauty that is worth the visit. If your looking for the a nice Mother’s Day location to get out and explore this weekend, you … Read more
Bear Valley to Host 7th Annual Derby and Country Faire Bear Valley, CA: Enjoy spectacular Bear Valley in scenic Alpine County on September 5th for the Seventh Annual Bear Valley Derby and Country Faire. This event will feature the ever popular non-motorized car races powered only by gravity and the navigation skills of the driver. … Read more
Hiking and Hot Springs: A Day Trip to Grover Hot Springs State Park In the eastern Sierra Nevada, Grover Hot Springs State Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and geothermal wonder. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual adventurer seeking relaxation, the park near Markleville, California, has something for everyone. … Read more
