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  The Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway is a 61-mile stretch of California State Highways 4 and 89 in Calaveras and Alpine counties, between the towns of Arnold and Markleeville, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Situated south of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite National Park, the EPNSB is one of the lesser-known and least traveled trans-Sierra routes. At both ends of the byway (between Arnold and Lake Alpine to the west, and between Markleeville and Silver Creek, to the east), the road is a modern, full width two lane state highway that is maintained for year-round travel, with a double yellow centerline, shoulders and frequent passing lanes. However, once past these points, the road, and the travel experience, changes dramatically, becoming a narrow two-lane road with no centerline and no shoulders as it slowly winds its way up and over the Sierra crest at Ebbetts Pass. Generally, the high-country segment of Highway 4 between Lake Alpine and Silver Creek is closed during the winter months (approximately mid-November to May). The Forest Service keeps portions of this section groomed for winter recreation activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. CalTrans crews maintain the lower elevation portions of the route for winter travel; however, 4-wheel drive and/or chains or snow tires are frequently required due to heavy snow accumulation or icy conditions. Several SnowParks (seasonal parking areas with access to snow play areas and winter recreation trailheads), two state parks with year round recreational opportunities, two ski resorts – one alpine, one Nordic - and an extensive trail system encourage continued winter season use along much of the route. The highway reopens in the spring after snowmelt, normally by Memorial Day, but sometimes as early as April or as late as July depending on snow conditions. Compared to the high-speed trans-Sierra routes of Highways 50 and 80, driving the Ebbetts Pass is a special and unique experience. The lack of a center line, along with dramatic elevation changes, steep grades and sharp curves encourage travelers to traverse the route at a leisurely pace, gaining time to experience the scenic vistas in a more intimate fashion than any other route through the Sierra.
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| Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association P.O. Box 2882 Arnold, CA 95223 info@scenic4.org Phone: (209) 795-4789 |
interactive maps | acknowledgement |
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| Byways.org, the Federal Highway Administration's National Byways website for more on this byway, other Scenic Byways, and byway information.
Terms of use |
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This portion of the highway is steep, narrow, and curvy, with precarious drop-offs and frequent blind turns. The nature of the road demands that the traveler slow down and drive with extreme caution, savoring the sites and spectacular vistas along the way. It is not recommended for semi-trucks, buses, and large Recreational Vehicles (RV's).
