Hwy 4 Fun Videos
A Ride to Remember: The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Autumn in the Sierra: II by John Michnowicz
Video by John Michnowicz
Autumn in the Sierras by John Michnowicz
Slideshow by John Michnowicz: Autumn pictures from various locations and times in the Sierra Navada Mountains. Locations include Arnold, Ca., White Pines, Ca., Stanislaus National Forest, Arnold Rim Trail, Bishop, Ca., and the Eastern Sierra Mountains
Construction Advisory – State Route 4, Forest Meadows to Avery
PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BEGINNING ON STATE ROUTE 4
CALAVERAS COUNTY – The Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) will begin construction of the Reach 1 Pipeline Replacement Project Monday, July 8, 2019. The pipeline runs between Avery and Forest Meadows, and the District’s contractor plans on closing one lane for much of the project, which will create one-way traffic control and 10-to-15 minute delays.
This project will continue through this fall, stop during winter, and resume spring 2020 and continue through fall 2020 when completion is expected.
CCWD has built a Web page specifically to keep the public updated on this project, and all new information will be posted there.
Please visit the project web page for detailed project information.

Motorists should expect up to 15-minute delays. Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment, and/or materials and construction related issues.
Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway Part 1
Video by InterstateKyle
February 20 2013 Hwy 4 Arnold to Dorrington
Music by Grover Anderson
From Murphys to Lake Alpine
HermitFest 2012
Hwy 4 Fun Arnold Independence Day parade
Hwy 4 Fun at Lake Alpine
Hwy 4 Fun at Natural Bridges
Hwy 4 Fun at Union & Utica
Hwy 4 Fun Snowing on the Dogwoods
Lake Alpine to Bear Valley November 4, 2011
Lake Alpine to Ebbetts Pass in 4 Minutes
Murphys Irish Day 2012
Slick Rock Trail Opening
Calaveras County, CA — Jeepers will have a jumping for joy moment Saturday as a popular trail on the Stanislaus National Forest in the Lake Alpine Recreation Area debuts a new stretch.
Located in the Calaveras Ranger District, Slick Rock Road, aka 7N17, has existed for over a century. Used by Forest Service personnel and the public it provides seasonal year-round opportunities for operating 4WD highway legal vehicles. Visitors may also set up for dispersed camping outside of the recreation area where the new reroute meets back up with the existing road to the southern portion of the trail head at Utica Reservoir.
According to forest officials, Slick Rock Road’s importance to the ranger district is reflected in the decision to reroute it in order to maintain public access. Very popular with the Jeeper community, it provides a unique experience due to its setting and features, such as the polished granite formations and draws off-roaders from near and far. It is considered the most technical 4×4 road on the district and the reroute additionally offers three new trail challenges.
Officials accepted public comments through the summer of last year for the reroute project. It was determined necessary for a three-quarter-mile stretch located on private land in order to prevent motorized trespass and maintain through access and OHV opportunities between Lake Alpine and Utica Reservoir. In recent years the private landowner who purchased the impacted adjacent property expressed concerns with traffic volume, security and necessary costly repairs to the trail portion located on the property, especially where utility lines were buried underneath.
During construction, which kicked off in May, the original private property-located section remained open. This Saturday will be the first time the reroute, which is on Forest-owned land, is open to the public. It will also mark the closure of the original stretch. The official ribbon cutting, which is open to the public, is a meet up at the Marmot Day Use Area. It will begin at 10 a.m. and include a barbecue and other festivities. The event is expected to draw county officials, Jeeper clubs and other recreation enthusiasts. Trail users are requested to follow posted signs and call the Calaveras Ranger Station with any questions at 209 795-1381 x 0.
Spring in the Sierras by John Michnowicz
Slideshow by John Michnowicz: Photos of the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains and surrounding areas during Spring.
The Arnold Rim Trail in Autumn by John Michnowicz
Slideshow by John Michnowicz: The Arnold Rim Trail (ART) has a vivid display of fall colors produced by black oak and dogwood trees. Most of these photos were taken in Oct., 2010.
Winter on Ebbetts Pass by John Michnowicz
Video by John Michnowicz: Winter pictures of the Ebbetts Pass Highway, Rt 4, area. Includes Arnold, White Pines, Lake Alpine, Big Meadow, Thompson Meadow, and Cape Horn.