Ebbetts Pass and/or Alpine Lake

The Weather seems to have some cooling happening with showers possible some days this week and of course last night. So it seems like we can make another assault on Lake Alpine. The high in Markleeville is expected to be 78 f on Saturday so the top of the passes will be in the lower 60s.

Going to Lake Alpine is a substantial ride so some people will want to just ride to the summit of Ebbetts Pass and return. This is also not a trivial ride, none of the major passes is, they are all challenging.

Ebbetts Pass is one of the most scenic and beautiful passes in the Sierras. It begins with a 6.6 mile section that gradually builds but is never hard as it passes some isolated farm houses and crosses rushing creeks. At mile 6.6 there is a cattle grating that is the warning that the pass is about to become more challenging. The following section is pretty steep for a quarter mile and is the first of 3-4 challenging but relatively short sections. The road remains steeper than the first 6.6 mile section but has moderate 5-7% grades for the most part. The path to the top of Ebbetts pass is 13.2 miles and nets you a bit over 3000 feet of climb.

For those that continue to Lake Alpine there is a 5 mile descent to the aptly named Hermit Valley followed by Pacific Grade. Pacific Grade is only 1000 feet of elevation gain and 2.6 miles but it has some real steep sections that will slow any rider. At the top is a pretty lake. The continuation of the road from here is rolling for several miles before a good descent down about 600 feet to Alpine Lake. There is a Lodge here with a convenience store where we can refill water bottles and buy some refreshments.

To Lake Alpine
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39747099
Rating: B,B-,C+, 56.6 miles, 6969 feet of elevation gain.

To Just Ebbetts Pass
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39442620
Rating: B,B-,C+, 26.4 miles, 3185 feet of elevation gain.

NOTE: Check posting 2 hours before ride time for weather-related and other changes. Helmets are required and bikes should be in good working order. Please no ear buds or headphones. Be prepared with a spare tube and pump. Class 2 E-Bikes are not permitted.

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