Ebbetts Pass Scenic Highway

The day between the Sierras and the East Bay was not a pleasant one; 88 miles, not enough water, not enough food, not enough stretching led to cramping which led to a terrible camp spot right outside of Copperopolis.

This is how I felt after 88 miles in the hot hot valley.

In the morning I grabbed some coffee in Copperopolis which helped regain my energy. That on Highway 4 was not much to write home about either. It was some highway riding up to Angels Camp then a back road up to Murphys. Murphys was a quaint little boutiquey town with a handful of high cuisine. I was tempted, but decided to hold on to my cash and ride on. Using my GPS I found a work around the highway up Sheep Ranch Road. Sheep Ranch Road goes straight up and I mean straight up. I was in my smallest gearing 28 in the front 32 in the rear and I was still pressing hard on the pedals. By the time I had gotten about halfway there I was torn apart and sweating like crazy. I found a quick place to pitch camp and had another rough night on my body. Luckily this time I took the time to cook which would be the major plus for the next day.

The next day would be the most exciting and toughest. I woke up feeling the best I had yet, climbed some more, hopped down the Santo Domingo Trail, which was ill maintained and cost me a front tube at one point (and my pump was busted, oh great). Pumping through over grown thickets I finally popped back out to 4 and climbed up to Avery, where Sheep Ranch Road would have dropped me off, probably not the best cut off, but at least now I know. From Avery, I went back up Sheep Ranch Road to the Arnold Rim Trail. I was following the reverse of the signposts and I think it was noticeable. At first the ride was pleasant, rolling through single track in lush shrubbery, then dropped down to the creek bed, where I cooled my toes for a second. Then from there it was up and up and up. Most of it too steep and rocky to ride, so I ended up pushing and carrying my bike a lot. But the views were well worth the push and when I did get to point my wheels downhill it was exhilirating.

Beginning of the ART.

X-Check ready for dirt.

Idyllic single track.

Panroma at Top of the Rock

Thankfully, no bear sightings for me!

The ART let out right in White Pines Lake, where I'd set up camp for the night. The following day would be a forest road cutoff up to Camp Connell, which from Camp Connell it was all Highway 4, with little traffic. I slowly climbed enjoyably, embracing the stunning views off to the south, looking toward Yosemite valley. I settled in til Alpine Lake, where at the Alpine Lake Lodge I grabbed a snack before setting up camp in the National Forest, another quiet serene campsite.

Coffee on White Pines Lake.

Fast gravelly descent on NF roads.

Looking South over the valley.

Alpine Lake Lodge snack, much needed.

Alpine Lake.

Then the final day was hitting the pass. The climbing was once again anything but tedious, setting into the right gearing and pressing on. The beginning of the day had me building up to Pacific Grade Pass and Mosquito Lake. Over Pacific Grade Pass was a fast flying descent on a single lane highway which dropped out to steep cliffs, it was definitely a death defying road where I hit 46 MPH! Luckily I kept the wheels on the road and made it back into the final climb to Ebbetts Pass. The climbing all day was peaceful and enjoyable and by the time I reached the pass I had the energy to hike up to the summit.

Smaller, but much more peaceful Mosquito Lake up from Alpine Lake.

A cabin on Mosquito Lake, so pretty. Maybe some day I'll have a cabin on a  lake or in the woods or on a mountain.

The road was narrow and beautiful and dropped off to nowhere.

View from the summit.

Highway 4 was a last minute decision but when I saw that there was no commercial traffic and mostly recreation traffic I decided to take it, and I am glad I did. The ART was fun, but probably would have been better going the other way and all the alpine lakes were stunning. It's understandable now how the Sierras have changed so many peoples lives, the beauty and serenity are unmatched. I would highly recommend doing Highway 4, I took my time and still feel like there was more to see.