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Ebbetts Pass: Highway 4, Alpine County, California
Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives California The High Sierra

Ebbetts Pass: Highway 4

CA 4, Ebbetts Pass, CA 89 · Arnold → Markleeville

Twisty61 mi1 hr 35 min7,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 8,800 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 4 goes from Arnold up past Lake Alpine and over Ebbetts Pass, 8,736 feet, to Markleeville. It is the most demanding of the Sierra passes. East of Lake Alpine the road narrows to less than two lanes with no center line, with steep hairpins on both sides of the summit. The east side is especially hard, with blind hairpins that steepen at the apex.

The pass is traditionally linked to Jedediah Smith's 1827 crossing. Murphys merchants built a road over it in the silver era, and it became a toll road in 1862. The link to US 395 via Monitor Pass was finished in the early 1950s. California made it a State Scenic Highway in 1971 and a National Scenic Byway in 2005. After the summit, the last miles run along Highway 89 down the East Fork Carson River into Markleeville.

Along the way

  1. Arnold
  2. Lake Alpine
  3. Ebbetts Pass summit
  4. Markleeville
Elevation
7,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 8,800 ft
ArnoldMarkleeville
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
ArnoldMarkleeville
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Not for trailers or RVs: the narrow stretch and hairpins are hard for long vehicles.
  • The road is closed by snow in winter, usually from about late November until May.
  • Downshift for the steep grades, and expect to meet oncoming traffic with little room on the narrow, unstriped stretch.

Closed by snow east of Lake Alpine from about late November or December until May. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans: Highway 4 conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 take?

Highway 4 from Arnold to Markleeville over Ebbetts Pass is 61 miles and takes about 1 hr 35 min.

Is Ebbetts Pass open in winter?

No. Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass closes for winter, often from November until as late as May. Check Caltrans for the current status.

Can RVs or trailers drive Ebbetts Pass?

It's not advised. East of Lake Alpine the road is narrow with no center line and has steep hairpins, so long trailers are a poor fit.

How high is Ebbetts Pass?

Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 is 8,736 feet above sea level.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Ebbetts Pass: Highway 4, from Arnold to Markleeville