Twist and Turn Through Ebbetts Pass

One of the most beautiful ways to reach Markleeville is by driving over Ebbetts Pass on California State Route 4, one of the most scenic and lightly traveled mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada.

By June, the pass has usually just reopened after the winter snow melts, which makes the drive especially magical. Snowbanks can still line the roadsi

de while alpine meadows begin to burst with early summer wildflowers. Waterfalls run strong from the snowmelt, and the mountain air feels crisp and fresh.

Unlike larger Sierra highways, Ebbetts Pass remains wonderfully narrow and winding, especially near the summit. In some sections the road becomes so tight that it feels more like a historic mountain route than a modern highway — which is part of its charm.

Along the way you'll pass through dramatic granite landscapes, high elevation lakes, and open meadows before descending toward Markleeville and the Carson River valley. It’s a drive that invites you to slow down, roll down the windows, and take in the beauty of the high Sierra.