The iconic road to Monitor Pass in California
Usa, north-america
28.32 km
2,543 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along a ribbon of asphalt called Monitor Pass in sunny California, way up at 8,343 feet! This hidden gem sits near the Nevada border, straddling Alpine and Mono counties. Seriously, the vibe is remote and peaceful.
Completed in the 50s and named after a cool silver mining town, this beauty – officially California State Route 89 (aka Robert M. Jackson Memorial Highway) – is southeast of Lake Tahoe. It's paved the whole way!
Spanning about 17.6 miles from south of Markleeville (at Alpine State Highway) to north of Coleville (at US-395), this route is a scenic dream, nestled in the Sierra Nevada range. Heads up though, Mother Nature usually shuts it down from late November to early April with snow – check conditions before you go! And, if you're feeling adventurous, a little gravel side trip near the top takes you even higher to Leviathan Peak.
Now, this isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart. Expect some seriously steep sections, topping out at a 13% grade. The east side heading toward US 395 is extra intense, so gear down and prepare for a good climb on the return trip. All told, plan on about 30 minutes without stops to soak in the views. Trust me, you'll want to.
Where is it?
The iconic road to Monitor Pass in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.1464, -102.1130
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 28.32 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,543 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.1464, -102.1130
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