Alpine County is located between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in the California Sierra Nevada mountains. The county is divided into three unique areas : Bear Valley/Lake Alpine, Kirkwood/Hope Valley, and Markleeville/Woodfords. These communities are connected by a network of high-elevation alpine highways.
The segment of Highway 4 between Lake Alpine and Markleeville Highway 89 is closed during the winter months (approximately mid-November to May). However, recently designated as a Federal Scenic Byway, Highway 4 is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the country in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn. The road is narrow and winding, so allow plenty of driving time between your destinations!