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 some of the Sierra’s most magical terrain.
Yes, there’s still snow up top. And yes, some destinations like Highland Lakes and Utica Reservoir might be just out of reach for a few more weeks. But the scenic route between Markleeville and Calaveras Big Trees State Park is now accessible—and that opens the door to adventure, solitude, and jaw-dropping beauty.
This 91-mile scenic stretch between Markleeville and Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of the Sierra’s most dramatic and rewarding drives. Some travelers might call it intimidating—no center line, hairpin turns, and cliff-hugging edges that can spike your heart rate when facing oncoming traffic. But for those of us who love it, that middle section is the soul of the pass: wild, raw, and thrilling. It’s part of what makes Ebbetts Pass feel untouched by time.
And when Ebbetts, Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), and Tioga Pass (Hwy 120) all start to open in spring, it feels like life begins again. These seasonal Sierra corridors unlock deep discovery, high country solitude, and a freedom that’s hard to describe—a summer spirit awakened.
Why It Matters
Ebbetts Pass is more than just a road—it’s a gateway. A seasonal portal to:
- Spring-fed waterfalls like the roaring flows along Paradise Creek and the Mokelumne River.
- Peaceful paddling at Lake Alpine or, soon enough, Utica Reservoir—where glassy waters and granite backdrops make for unforgettable SUP days.
- Fishing trips to Mosquito Lakes, where trout are hungry and crowds are still thin.
- Hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail near Kinney Lakes, where you may still need snowshoes, but the payoff is untouched beauty and deep Sierra silence.
- Cape Horn sunsets, where the sky turns lavender and gold while you sit in stillness, taking it all in.
Camping & Exploration
The Stanislaus National Forest along the Mokelumne River is a spring camping paradise. Quiet campgrounds, surging rivers, and wildflower-covered meadows await—along with the possible arrival of mosquitos (they always get an invite too). It’s the kind of early-season exploration where you’ll want to pack for everything: sun, snow, and the spirit of discovery.
A Time of Mystery and Discovery
This is that rare window in the Sierra where winter still holds on, but summer is knocking at the door. Snowdrifts hug the peaks, streams overflow with meltwater, and every bend in the road promises something new.
Ebbetts Pass is officially open—and so is the season of wild Sierra adventure. Whether you’re planning a weekend day trip or mapping out your summer camping circuit, it’s time to hit the road and explore one of the most scenic and soulful highways in California.
