Markleeville, California

For many, Markleeville, CA is unknown. "Where?" If you enjoy fishing and camping, Markleeville might mean some quiet time along the Carson River Valley, underneath the big trees which surround the Sierra Nevada Ranges that separate the Golden State from the Silver State. Clean mountain air, nice camping and artsy little towns with corner general stores along the way.

Markleeville is a historic mountain city named after the first permanent inhabitant of the area, Jacob J. Marklee. Nestled in a small
valley on the east Fork of the Carson River, it is at an elevation of 5,500 feet. It has a backdrop of the majestic 9,000 and 10,000 foot
peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Formed during the silver mining boom of the 1860's Markleeville became the Alpine County seat in 1875. Alpine remains California's least populated county.

It is also home of the infamous Deathride...A one day cycling sufferfest in the California Alps. We woke up early and hit the road, as our plans were to go and ride some of the passes. Both Mike and I have participated in the Deathride in the early 90's---but I haven't been there in ages---and now it's about an hour and a half a way from where we live. According to the signs, Monitor Pass was open and Ebbetts was still closed.

It was indeed an epic day. I stayed on Monitor. My least favorite as it is an open grinder up to 8315'. I went up and over and then back again, remembering the steepness of the "otherside" (from 395) on the way back over. Still it was awesome. There were patches of snow as I got passed the tree-line...but nothing like what Mike found on Ebbett's.

He did Monitor and as much of Ebbett's as he could before running out of food and water. Once he rode beyond the fence that doesn't allow cars to pass he had the road all to himself...4 foot snow drifts. Reminded him of the Giro stages where you see guys in shorts riding by snowy Dolomite's!

For those wondering...SONORA pass is open! We'll have to go do that one soon!

We arrived home hungry, and worked....but in a good way! Happy Saturday!

And Taylor Joseph had his communion today!! Congratulations to Taylor and all the Rooney's!