Ebbets Pass, California

Steven Dutch, Professor Emeritus, Natural and Applied Sciences, Universityof Wisconsin - Green Bay

I think this is my favorite pass over the Sierra Nevada. There are actually two summits. The western summit offers a spectacular view to the south as well as some interesting local geologic details. The road then dips into a remote valley, rises to the eastern summit, then drops - maybe a better word is plummets - down a gut-wrenching series of switchbacks with marvelous views for those who dare take their eyes off the road. There are a couple of spots where the highway signs warn of 25 per cent grades.

 

Ebbets Pass Like most roads over the Sierra Nevada, California Route 4 over Ebbets Pass features a long gentle western approach with beautiful forest but all too infrequent views.

Below: a recent landslide.
Ebbets Pass Ebbets Pass
Ebbets Pass Ebbets Pass
Ebbets Pass Exfoliated granite.

 Ebbets Pass   

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Ebbets Pass Three lithologies: llight granodiorite, dark metamorphic rocks, and andesite flows capping the summit.
Ebbets Pass Glacial polish on metamorphic rocks.
Ebbets Pass Deep chemical weathering in hollows on the metamorphic rocks.
Ebbets Pass Ebbets Pass
Ebbets Pass Ebbets Pass
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Ebbets Pass Those castellated ridges in the distance are also visible on the Sonora Pass highway.
Left and below: views east of the pass. Below is the view down the valley of the Walker River.

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Created 7 April 2003, Last Update 06 June 2020