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Sonora Pass or Ebbets Pass?- Need Input

3K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  BDMastiff 
#1 ·
I'm planning my road trip for next year. We will be heading from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe. Our first stop will be Jamestown. From Jamestown we have several options. I want to take either Sonora Pass or Ebbiets Pass. Can anyone tell me which one is more scenic? Which road has better riding? I will be going at the beginning of June 2013. Any advise or opinions are appreciated but I prefer advise from people who have actually been on these roads.
 
#3 ·
I have never ridden Ebbits pass Rt 4? I have only been on Sanora pass on sleds in the winter.I take Carson Pass often into Jackson and its a great ride.
 
#5 ·
Ebbets pass for sure.
take Jamestown rd. to Columbia State park... Parrot Ferry rd to Hwy 4... road gets a little tight at the top, but great road. turn north at 89 to markleyville...lunch.... continue to 88 go west to 89 north again.... over the hill and your at 50 south lake Tahoe.
 
#6 ·
ebetts is more scenic and has some points of interest along the way... big trees state park... mesquito lake... alpine lake... makleyville.
sonora pass has desolation after about Strawberry until you hit 395 then desert until topaz lake.
Carson pass 88 is nice too...better than sonora for scenics and services and is a faster ride than ebbetts. hope this helps.
 
#7 ·
Very helpful. I was leaning towards Ebbets pass. I did some research and found out that it's not recommended for campers and bigger vehicles. That's a plus right off the bat. Then I read about the narrow roads at the top which you confirmed. I looked at some photos on Google and it looks very scenic. I have 6 months to make a decision but I'm 99.9% sure I'll be on Ebbets.

Thank you!
 
#9 ·
you will see an occasional horse trailer past lake alpine, but usually nothing longer. It is the road less travelled. I take this route for street vibration annually. I've taken a few friends that have never gone that way,and they say they really enjoyed it.
 
#14 ·
Best idea yet. When I lived near Sonora, I made a loop eastbound up over Sonora pass then back west over Ebbets several times, and also in the opposite direction. Both are great bike roads, but as others have mentioned, Ebbets is narrower and tighter.

Last time I went that way I got stuck behind a moron who tried to take an 18 wheeler through. They had to get two big wreckers to get him off the road where he got stuck in a hairpin that was tighter than the length of his trailer.
Completely blocked the road for a several hours.
 
#11 ·
Is that BBQ place in Walker on the right or left side as you are headed north?

I think there are 2 places in town that I have seen bikes at when I ride through.
 
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