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 twosummits. The western summit offers a spectacular view to the south as well assome interesting local geologic details. The road then dips into a remotevalley, rises to the eastern summit, then drops - maybe a better word isplummets - down a gut-wrenching series of switchbacks with marvelous views forthose who dare take their eyes off the road. There are a couple of spots wherethe highway signs warn of 25 per cent grades.
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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. |
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Exfoliated granite. |
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Three lithologies: llight granodiorite, dark metamorphic rocks, and andesite flows capping the summit. |
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Glacial polish on metamorphic rocks. |
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Deep chemical weathering in hollows on the metamorphic rocks. |
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Those castellated ridges in the distance are also visible on the Sonora Pass highway. |
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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