Ebbetts Pass
Encyclopedia
Ebbetts Pass, named after John Ebbetts
, (el. 8730 ft (2,660.9 m)) is a high mountain pass
through the Sierra Nevada range in Alpine County, California
. Ebbetts is the eastern of two passes in the area traversed by State Route 4. The western pass is the Pacific Grade Summit
(el 8050 ft (2,453.6 m)). The pass is registered as California Historical Landmark
#318. The Pacific Crest Trail
, a 2650 miles (4,264.8 km) long National Scenic Trail
crosses State Route 4 at Ebbetts Pass.
and Washoe
Indians in the area to cross the mountains, and it was most likely the route taken by Jedediah Smith
in late spring of 1827 when leaving California at the urging of Mexican officials, as well as by John Bidwell
on his emigration to California.
John Ebbetts traversed the pass in April 1851 with a large train of mules. He hoped it would make a suitable route for the transcontinental railroad
, as he noted little snow at the time. However, this was likely an anomaly, as the current highway is generally closed from November through May due to snow accumulation. He later surveyed
near the pass for a possible railroad route, but found it unsuitable. He intended to return to the pass itself to survey it for a road but was killed in the explosion of the steamboat
Secretary on San Pablo Bay
in 1854 before he could do so. While the pass was referred to by his name earlier, it was not until 1893, when the U.S. Geological Survey surveyed the Markleeville quadrangle, that the pass was officially named after him.
The route was used only occasionally until silver
was discovered east of the Sierra, and merchants in Murphys
had a road constructed to Markleeville
to more easily transport supplies over the pass to the miners. This became a toll road
in 1862. From Markleeville, travel further eastward was taken along established routes.
It was not until the early 1950s that the road over Monitor Pass
to U.S. Route 395 was completed, connecting the eastern terminus of State Route 4 to U.S. Route 395 via State Route 89
near the community of Topaz.
John Ebbetts
Major John Ebbetts was a California pioneer credited with the first recorded traverse of Ebbetts Pass in April 1851 while searching for a route for the railroad. The route he took is now California State Route 4. He had come to California in 1849. He was the head of the Knickerbocker Exploring...
, (el. 8730 ft (2,660.9 m)) is a high mountain pass
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
through the Sierra Nevada range in Alpine County, California
Alpine County, California
Alpine County is the smallest county, by population, in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010, it had a population of 1,175, all rural. There are no incorporated cities in the county. The county seat is Markleeville...
. Ebbetts is the eastern of two passes in the area traversed by State Route 4. The western pass is the Pacific Grade Summit
Pacific Grade Summit
Pacific Grade Summit, at elevation 2,454 m / 8,050 ft., is a high mountain pass on the western approach to Ebbetts Pass to the east in the Sierra Nevada range in eastern California....
(el 8050 ft (2,453.6 m)). The pass is registered as California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
#318. The Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
, a 2650 miles (4,264.8 km) long National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail is a designation for protected areas in the United States that consist of trails of particular natural beauty.National Scenic Trails were authorized under the National Trails System Act of 1968 along with National Historic Trails and National Recreation Trails...
crosses State Route 4 at Ebbetts Pass.
History
Ebbetts Pass was used by the MiwokMiwok
Miwok can refer to any one of four linguistically related groups of Native Americans, native to Northern California, who spoke one of the Miwokan languages in the Utian family...
and Washoe
Washoe
Washoe or washo could refer to:*Washoe -- a chimpanzee that was taught by humans to speak in American Sign Language*Before it was made a Territory, Nevada was popularly known as Washoe*Washoe County, Nevada*Washoe Lake - lake in Nevada...
Indians in the area to cross the mountains, and it was most likely the route taken by Jedediah Smith
Jedediah Smith
Jedediah Strong Smith was a hunter, trapper, fur trader, trailblazer, author, cartographer, cattleman, and explorer of the Rocky Mountains, the American West Coast and the Southwest during the 19th century...
in late spring of 1827 when leaving California at the urging of Mexican officials, as well as by John Bidwell
John Bidwell
John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist and philanthropist...
on his emigration to California.
John Ebbetts traversed the pass in April 1851 with a large train of mules. He hoped it would make a suitable route for the transcontinental railroad
Transcontinental railroad
A transcontinental railroad is a contiguous network of railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad, or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies...
, as he noted little snow at the time. However, this was likely an anomaly, as the current highway is generally closed from November through May due to snow accumulation. He later surveyed
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
near the pass for a possible railroad route, but found it unsuitable. He intended to return to the pass itself to survey it for a road but was killed in the explosion of the steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
Secretary on San Pablo Bay
San Pablo Bay
San Pablo Bay is a tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. Most of the Bay is shallow; however, there is a deep water channel approximately in mid bay, which allows access to Sacramento, Stockton, Benicia, Martinez, and...
in 1854 before he could do so. While the pass was referred to by his name earlier, it was not until 1893, when the U.S. Geological Survey surveyed the Markleeville quadrangle, that the pass was officially named after him.
The route was used only occasionally until silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
was discovered east of the Sierra, and merchants in Murphys
Murphys, California
Murphys is a census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, United States...
had a road constructed to Markleeville
Markleeville, California
Markleeville is a census-designated place and the county seat of Alpine County, California. The population was 210 at the 2010 census, up from 197 at the 2000 census.The CDP of Markleeville also includes Woodfords....
to more easily transport supplies over the pass to the miners. This became a toll road
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
in 1862. From Markleeville, travel further eastward was taken along established routes.
It was not until the early 1950s that the road over Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass is a high mountain pass in California in the Sierra Nevada southeast of Lake Tahoe. It connects the basins of the West Walker River and Carson River, and is traversed by State Route 89 near that highway's southern terminus at U.S...
to U.S. Route 395 was completed, connecting the eastern terminus of State Route 4 to U.S. Route 395 via State Route 89
California State Route 89
State Route 89 is a California State Highway that travels in the north–south direction, and is the major thoroughfare for many mountain communities. It starts from U.S. Route 395 near Topaz Lake, winding its way up to the Monitor Pass, down to the Carson River, and up again over the Luther...
near the community of Topaz.
Current usage
Today, Ebbetts Pass is one of the least traveled passes in the Sierra Nevada. An extensive section of highway over the pass is less than two lanes with no dividing line. It has very steep sections with hairpin corners. The eastern slope is particularly difficult, as many of the hairpin corners are blind, and steepen suddenly at the apex, making it necessary to shift to first gear in most vehicles. It is rarely used by commercial traffic and is not recommended for vehicles towing long trailers.External links
- Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway official site
- Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway on byways.org
- Ebbetts Pass Historical Association