Murphys to Truckee - Tuesday 26th September

It's worth mentioning at this point that the weather has been very kind to us on this trip so far. We've enjoyed clear blue skies and reasonable temperatures. E-Types, of course, are always warm inside whatever the weather, but are much more tolerable if the outside temperature doesn't reach the 90s or above. 

One of the highlights of today's drive was to be the ascent to the summit of Ebbetts Pass and descent on the other side to Markleeville. On the 2012 California Oil Leak we had driven over the pass just after it opened in the Spring, and celebrated at the summit with an impromptu snowball fight. I was looking forward to reviving those memories as we headed up CA-4 from Murphys. Since the pass is closed during the winter months there are permanent signs alongside the road that indicate whether the pass is open or closed for more than 60 miles before the summit. At this time of year, they all confirmed it was open. Just after we left Murphys there was an electronic sign indicating possible delays at East Hermit Valley for the previous day:

"MON 9/25 8A-5P EXPECT DELAYS"

This was immediately followed by one of the regular EBBETTS PASS - OPEN signs so no worries...

"Ebbetts Pass - OPEN"

A similar sign 23 minutes further up the road also indicated the pass was OPEN so we sailed on oblivious to what was to follow...

"TH 8AM-5PM"

Another 20 minutes up the road we see the above ambiguous sign. "TH" for Thursday? We didn't have to wait long to find out, as 2 minutes later...

We meet Michael coming in the other direction

Michael had left the hotel 20+ minutes before the convoy of other drivers as he planned to meet up with some friends later that day for lunch. He had driven to the summit of the pass only to find that the road was closed on the east side until 5pm, and so we had no choice but to turn around. We had to retrace our steps more than 60 miles and then head north to the base of the next pass over the Sierra. Needless to say this took a big chunk of time out of our day, so we had to settle for driving without much in the way of stops to our next overnight stay in Truckee. The drive over the mountains on CA-88 to South Tahoe was enjoyable, and we then drove around the west shore of Lake Tahoe to Truckee. 

Still a little snow on the tops of the peaks as we crossed the Sierra

Lake Tahoe from the west side road

The weather remained warm with clear blue skies so, despite the disappointment of missing Ebbetts Pass and Markleeville, we had a good day. The day concluded with margaritas and Mexican food at a local restaurant, where Bill Sherlock joined the tour in his beautiful 1966 black FHC. 

An extra E-Type in the parking lot in Truckee - Bill's 1966 black FHC




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