Two Sierra Passes Are Now Open Before Memorial Day for the First Time in Years

Ebbetts Pass is opening for the season on Wednesday, making it the second major Sierra Nevada pass to reopen ahead of the typical Memorial Day target this spring.

Caltrans announced that State Route 4 over Ebbetts Pass will formally reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. Maintenance crews from the Woodfords and Camp Connell stations completed snow removal operations ahead of schedule despite dealing with downed trees, debris and significant snowpack along some of the route’s narrow one-lane corridors.

The pass was closed for the winter in late December, with gates remaining at Lake Alpine and Raymond Meadows for most of the season. Ebbetts Pass sits at 8,730 feet and connects the Central Valley to the Eastern Sierra through Alpine County, offering access to popular destinations like Lake Alpine, Mosquito Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail.

The early opening follows Sonora Pass on State Route 108, which reopened on April 30, also ahead of schedule. Both passes benefited from a below-average snowpack this winter, which gave crews a head start on clearing operations.

For drivers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Conditions at elevation can still be unpredictable this time of year, and Caltrans is urging motorists to watch for icy road surfaces, especially overnight and in the early morning hours. The route includes steep grades, tight curves and sections with no guardrails, so caution is important even in good conditions.

For the latest road conditions, download the Caltrans QuickMap app, tune into Highway Advisory Radio at 530 AM, 1610 AM or 1670 AM, or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-7623.