Classic 5 Pass Challenge

Carson - Ebbetts - Ebbetts - Monitor - Monitor

The Classic 5 Pass Challenge features the classic combination of "bucket-list" passes that made Alta Alpina territory famous around the world.

You'll experience the breathtaking scenic beauty of five classic Sierra climbs and descents plus panoramas of Diamond Valley on a course that features some of the best pavement you'll find on any organized ride. Alta Alpina territory is remote and rugged with some steep and windy roads so attention is required at all times. You won't find any traffic lights and there are just a few stop signs.

The Route

From the start at Turtle Rock Park (on CA 89 near Markleeville), riders head north on CA 89 and turn onto Diamond Valley Rd. This is a beautiful rolling road with great views of the foothills. Riders descend towards the Carson Valley. The climbing begins when you turn left on Emigrant Trail. This short and easy climb doesn't count as a pass, but it's a good warmup for the pass to come, and there is a rest stop at the top.

Continuing from Emigrant trail, riders pass through the historic town of Woodfords and up scenic Woodfords Canyon, following the route of the Pony Express trail. After Picketts Junction, riders head towards Carson Pass on CA 88. As riders begin their ascent of Carson Pass views of Red Lake and high alpine terrain come into view.

After the Carson Pass rest stop, riders will enjoy the fun descent back down into Hope Valley and then down Woodfords Canyon. Turning right towards Markleeville brings riders back to the start where lunch awaits.

The course continues down to the town of Markleeville and out to the intersection of CA 89 and CA 4 where riders will begin the beautiful climb of the heavily forested Ebbetts Pass. A rest stop is located at the summit of Ebbetts Pass before the descent on the back side to Hermit Valley where yet another rest stop is located at the turn around. Riders then climb the backside of Ebbetts and return to the base of Monitor after a fun descent.

Climbing the front side of Monitor offers riders a few challenging steep grades and sweeping views of alpine meadows and Lake Heenan. A rest stop at the top of the pass marks completion of the second-to-last pass of the day.

The descent to Topaz on the east side of Monitor is a thrill. The road surface is excellent, the grade is sweet, and the turns are fun. Riders must observe turn around times and cut-offs.

Refuel at the Topaz rest stop for the last pass of the day. The climb is long but the grade is steady and this climb is a pleasure. Like the backside of Monitor, the descent on the frontside is fun, but caution is required. From the base of Monitor riders return to the start through the Carson River Canyon on CA 89.

Timing

All riders must observe course opening, closing, and cut-off times, riders must turn around if cut-off times are not met (or wait if approaching a course location which is not yet open).

Riders may choose to start during one of seven start time windows: 6:30am, 6:45am, 7:00am, 7:15am, 7:30am, 7:45am, or 8:00am.

There are seven scheduled rest stops on the course. You must reach each of these locations between its listed opening and closing times in order to collect credit for all 5 passes. Riders headed towards a closed location will be turned around and directed to the next open location (or must wait before proceeding to a not-yet-opened location). The course will be open for 14 hours. All riders must check in at the finish by 8:30pm.

Finisher Jersey

To be a Classic 5 Pass Challenge Finisher you must ride your bicycle all five of the listed passes, starting with Carson and finishing with Monitor East, in the time allowed and respecting all opening, closing and cut-off times and then return to the start having reached all locations on your bicycle. Classic 5 Pass Challenge Finishers earn the right to wear the exclusive 5 Pass Finisher Jersey.

If you are sagged to the start or sagged forward on the course at any time you will lose the corresponding pass credit. Anyone who refuses to abide by the rules or the instructions of CHP, County Sheriff, or ride officials will lose all ride credit and be listed as DQ. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all participants and to satisfy the requirements of county and state agencies.

Logistics

The Start/Finish is at Alpine County's Turtle Rock Park on CA 89 between Woodfords and Markleeville. Rider check-in takes place starting at 3am on Saturday morning. There are accommodations of every type nearby. We encourage riders not to attempt to drive home after this extreme effort. We provide a dinner after the ride and suggest spending the night nearby to recover.

We expect great weather, but this ride covers a lot of remote, high altitude terrain. Everyone should be prepared for any kind of weather at any time.