Where is Monitor Pass in California?
Usa, north-america
28.32 km
2,543 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Monitor Pass! This stunner sits way up high in east-central California, practically kissing the Nevada border, right where Alpine and Mono counties meet. Think wide-open spaces and that "I'm the only one here" feeling because traffic is usually super light.
The road itself, officially CA-89 (aka Robert M. Jackson Memorial Highway), was carved out in the early 50s and named after the old silver mining town, Monitor. We're talking about a 17.6-mile stretch of pure, paved goodness connecting Alpine State Highway south of Markleeville to US-395 north of Coleville, southeast of Lake Tahoe.
Word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Expect a seasonal closure from late November to early April due to snow. Speaking of high, we're talking an elevation of 8,343 feet! And if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a smaller gravel road near the top that climbs even higher to 8,942ft.
Hold on tight, because this road isn't shy about its steepness! You'll find yourself tackling gradients up to 13% in spots. The eastern side, heading towards US-395, is particularly punchy, so gear down and be prepared for a serious climb if you're heading back up. Give yourself about 30 minutes to cruise this pass without stopping to soak it all in (but you *totally* should stop!).
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 28.32 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,543 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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