Lake Tahoe, CA: Ebbetts Pass | Bicycling in California

Lake Tahoe, CA: Ebbetts Pass

Chase the Carson River up hairpin turns to far-reaching views of the High Sierra on this metric century out-and-back to Ebbetts Pass.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	29 Oct 2008 10:12:24 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	59.11 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 8800 ft Total Loss: 8800 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	8 / 10
Tags:	Lake Tahoe, Markleeville, California, Sierra Nevada
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This 60-mile out-and-back climbs steadily from mile-high altitudes in Diamond Valley to nearly 9,000 feet at the top of Ebbetts Pass, following the Carson River’s East Fork upstream to long canyon views of snow-dusted peaks in Stanislaus National Forest. Along the way the route passes historic silver mines, the Pacific Crest Trail, and several alpine lakes.

Use the rolling roads and light grades of the first 18 miles to loosen your legs. Once you reach the switchbacks near Silver Creek Campground, the steadiness is over. You’ll pedal almost 2,000 feet in 6 miles to the summit, tackling short stretches of 15 to 18 percent grades. Descend 5 miles into Hermit Valley, then turn around and amp your lungs back to high gear for the climb up the backside of Ebbetts. When you reach the summit (8,730 feet) a second time, it’s downhill for almost 20 miles before the final roller outside of Woodsfords.

This ride is one part of the Alta Alpina Challenge, a double century that climbs 8 mountain passes south of South Lake Tahoe, and that starts from the Diamond Valley School near Woodsfords.

-Mapped by Wayne Riley

TO TRAILHEAD: Head south on US-50. At 2.4 miles, turn L at US-50/CA-89. At 4.8 miles, turn L onto CA-89. Continue 11.2 miles. Turn L at CA-88/CA-89. At 6 miles, bear R at CA-89. Turn left at Diamond Valley Rd. At 0.5 miles, turn right at Hawkside Dr. and continue into the parking lot of Diamond Valley School.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

8 Mountain Passes in South Tahoe

Dist: 59.11 mi	Points: 2679	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

8 Mountain Passes in South Tahoe

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	at Diamond Valley School	Then go 0.02 mi
0.02 mi	Turn Left	on Hawkside Drive.	Then go 0.07 mi
0.09 mi	Turn Left	on Diamond Valley Road.	Then go 0.18 mi
0.28 mi	Straight	on Diamond Valley.	Then go 0.33 mi
0.61 mi	Turn Left	on CA-89	Then go 10.71 mi
11.32 mi	Straight	and merge onto CA-4/Ebbets Pass Highway.	Then go 18.49 mi
29.82 mi	U-Turn	on CA-4	Then go 18.46 mi
48.28 mi	Straight	as CA-4 becomes CA-89	Then go 10.35 mi
58.62 mi	Turn Right	on Diamond Valley Road.	Then go 0.21 mi
58.84 mi	Bear Right	and stay on Diamond Valley.	Then go 0.18 mi
59.02 mi	Turn Right	on Hawkside Drive.	Then go 0.07 mi
59.09 mi	Turn Right	into the Daimond Valley School parking lot.	Then go 0.02 mi
59.11 mi	Stop

Points of Interest

Start/Finish

Location: 38.766672°, -119.809119°
Start from Diamond Valley School near Woodsfords and head south on CA-89. The route climbs about 700 feet during the first 3.5 miles. After a quick descent, there is some steady climbing for about 10 miles.

Markleeville

Location: 38.696765°, -119.782906°
Services are limited throughout this ride. While there are campgrounds near Ebbetts Pass, the best place to grab food and water is in downtown Markleeville. If you're hungry or in need of a beer, try Wolf Creek Restaurant and Bar.

Descent from Ebbetts

Location: 38.581453°, -119.808655°
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzlMcBmrbg">Watch</a> the Ebbetts descent back toward Markleeville. Click "Watch in high quality." ©Wayne Riley

Hermit Valley Descent

Location: 38.544876°, -119.811916°
<a href=" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOvm8lgZBZY&fmt=18 ">Watch</a> the descent into Hermit Valley.

U-turn

Location: 38.537559°, -119.897060°
At this point, you've descended 5 miles along the North Fork of the Mokelumne River and you have the option to continue onward 2.4 miles to Pacific Grade Summit, another famous Sierra pass. Otherwise, turn around and head up Ebbetts a second time.