California 88 is a major east-west highway that provides a third crossing over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. While most other two-lane highways (California 108, California 120, California 4, and others) close each winter, California 88 remains open all winter except during the worst snowstorms. As a result, California 88 is a good alternative to the other all-weather routes that cross the Sierra Nevada, such as U.S. 50 and Interstate 80. In fact, a portion of California 88 over the Carson Pass is also designated as Alternate U.S. 50. This way, travelers may use California 88 in lieu of U.S. 50 during times of not only snow storms but also floods in the American River Canyon.
Starting in Stockton at Junction California 99, California 88 follows the alignment of former California 8 through Victor, Ione, and Jackson. As it passes each town, California 88 leaves the Central Valley and begins to ascend the Sierra Nevada. After passing by Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, the town of Pioneer, and the entrance into El Dorado National Forest, California 88 leaves the foothills and enters the mountains, with Kirkwood Ski Resort located near Carson Pass. The trip down after the pass is sudden and dramatic, as the route then weaves east to join California 89 through Woodfords, then connects to Nevada 88 en route to Minden-Gardnerville. Nevada 88 ends at its junction with U.S. 395.
Highway Guide
California 88 west
Leaving the Silver State of Nevada and entering the Golden State of California (leaving Douglas County and entering Alpine County), westbound Nevada 88 transitions directly onto California 88. From here, California 88 follows the Carson River almost due south toward Woodfords. Some maps depict the segment of California 88 between the Nevada-California State Line south to Woodfords as sharing alignment of California 4, but the route is signed only as California 88. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Advisory signs, such as this one located along westbound California 88 after the Nevada State Line provide motorist information about whether certain mountain passes are closed for the winter or temporarily closed due to storm conditions. This particular sign profiles California 4 west (Ebbetts Pass), California 88 west (Carson Pass), and California 89 north/south (Luther and Monitor Passes). Carson Pass is normally kept open throughout the winter, but it can see closures in difficult weather situations. Photos taken 07/20/09.
The first California 88 reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. California 88 from here south to Woodfords and then west toward Carson Pass is part of California's state scenic highway system. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A variable (changeable) message sign advises motorists along westbound California 88 of potential weather and traffic concerns, especially as they relate to mountain passes. Since all routes ahead (California 88, California 4, and California 89 north/south) require a trip over a mountain pass, this sign can inform if the trip will result in turning around and returning back from where one came. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A California Agricultural Inspection advisory sign is posted on California 88 west shortly thereafter. This is a lot of information to absorb in a quick drive past this sign. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Another regulatory sign provides information for the operation of buses and trucks in California. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next intersection along California 88 west is with Fredericksburg Road (Lane) west to Foothill Road for local and ranch access. California 88 continues almost due south. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 continues south with two lanes, one in each direction. Passing is generally permitted along this section of state highway. The Sierra Nevada rise in the distance. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Westbound California 88 next approaches River Ranch Road east (to Chambers Lane) and Emigrant Trail west. Emigrant Trail is an alternate route to California 88, and it rejoins the state highway near Woodfords. Photo taken 07/20/09.
During winter storm events, California 88 may be closed or restricted to vehicles with snow chains or snow tires. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next intersection along California 88 west is with Diamond Valley Road south and Foothill Road west. An old alignment of California 88 departs at this intersection by following Diamond Valley Road south to Old California 88/Carson River Road south. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 turns southwest toward Woodfords, and the morning sun angle improves. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Some segments of California 88 are straight as an arrow. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Watch for wildlife along California 88 during the dawn and dusk hours. Photo taken 07/20/09.
In the distance ahead is Hawkins Peak (elevation 10,024 feet above sea level, straight ahead) and Cary Peak (elevation 8,727 feet above sea level, right of highway). Photo taken 07/20/09.
Westbound California 88 enters Toiyabe National Forest. The majority of this forest is located in the state of Nevada, but portions spill over into California in the Eastern Sierra. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Closing in on Woodfords, this sign along westbound California 88 advises that the next passing lane will be two miles ahead. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Ahead is a Toiyabe National Forest visitors center, which offers tourist information for local attractions such as hiking, fishing, and camping. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next right turn from California 88 west is with Emigrant Trail. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 turns south again between Emigrant Trail and Carson River Road. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Westbound California 88 approaches Carson River Road (Old California 88) north at the next intersection. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 enters the unincorporated community of Woodfords. Dating back to the days of the Pony Express, Woodfords today is a roadside settlement about six miles north of the Alpine County seat of Markleeville and is the point where California 88 will meet California 89. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next major intersection along California 88 west is with California 89 south and California 4 west to Markleeville. From Markleeville, California 4 travels west across Ebbetts Pass to Angels Camp, while California 89 proceeds east to U.S. 395 near Topaz Lake. Ahead, California 88 west and California 89 north travel west toward Carson Pass. In summer, California 89 continues north over Luther Pass to meet U.S. 50 in Meyers en route to all Lake Tahoe destinations. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next right connects California 88 with Old Pony Express Road (old alignment to serve Woodfords). Photo taken 07/20/09.
To the Alpine County seat of Markleeville turn south on California 89 and California 4. Most motorist services are available in Markleeville, as well as Grover Hot Springs State Park for a nice relaxing soak in hot springs. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Turn left here to follow California 4 west and California 89 south to Markleeville. Continue straight to follow California 88 west and California 89 north to Carson Pass and Lake Tahoe. While California 4 technically ends at its intersection with California 89 southeast of Markleeville, it is signed all the way to California 88 to provide motorist guidance for those driving to Ebbetts Pass. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A flashing beacon governs the flow of traffic between California 4-89, California 88, and California 88-89 in Woodfords. Photo taken 07/20/09.
This view looks west past California 88 and Old Pony Express Road to the houses and rock wall in Woodfords (an old Pony Express station). Photos taken 07/20/09.
California 88 west and California 89 north
This reassurance shield assembly for California 88 west and California 89 north is posted after the intersection with California 4-89 in Woodfords. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Westbound California 88 and northbound California 89 approaches the other end of Old Pony Express Road; we are now leaving Woodfords and will follow the West Fork of the Carson River through the Toiyabe National Forest. The sheer cliffs of Cary Peak dominate the view looking up. Photo taken 07/20/09.
This mileage sign along California 88 west and California 89 north provides the distance to Silver Lake (26 miles via California 88 west), Lake Tahoe (26 miles via California 89 north), and Jackson (79 miles via California 88 west). Photo taken 07/20/09.
Another reminder of the upcoming passing lane is posted shortly after the mileage sign. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A chain up area is provided on the shoulder of the state highway. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Tall trees and granite cliffs dominate the view along the West Carson River in Toiyabe National Forest. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Looking up are more granite cliffs leading down from Cary Peak. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next left turn from California 88-89 west is Crystal Springs Road. Continue straight ahead to the Crystal Springs campground. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A passing lane begins after the Crystal Springs Road intersection. Photo taken 07/20/09.
However, the passing lane is short and ends quickly. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The majesty of the Sierra Nevada continues to unfold as California 88 west and California 89 north prepare to cross over the West Fork of the Carson River. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 west and California 89 north cross over the West Fork Carson River. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next left from California 88 west and California 89 north leads to the Crystal Springs national forest campground. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Another passing lane is found along California 88 west and California 89 north. Photo taken 07/20/09.
No traffic is to be found on this summer's morning in this beautiful canyon. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Rows of evergreen trees (firs and pines) line the ridges of the Sierra Nevada. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Aspens, which offer verdant greens in summer and startling yellows in fall, line California 88-89 as we proceed west. Within this stretch, we again cross over the West Fork Carson River. Photos taken 07/20/09.
Journeying through the canyon, California 88-89 offer stunning views of the two sets of mountains carved by the West Fork Carson River. Campgrounds along this stretch include Snowshoe Springs and Kit Carson. Photos taken 07/20/09.
Westbound California 88 and northbound California 89 cross over the West Fork of the Carson River again, this time with old bridge railing to boot. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The next left ahead is the turnoff to Sorensen's Resort, which features close access to Lake Tahoe via California 89 north as well as hiking and fishing. Photo taken 07/20/09.
The routes divide shortly thereafter. Continue straight to follow California 88 west to Carson Pass, Silver Lake, and Jackson. Turn right ahead to follow California 89 over Luther Pass to Meyers and Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/20/09.
A second guide sign includes more destinations as well as the left turn to Burnside Lakes Road. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Both California 88 west and California 89 north are truck routes. In the distance is a mileage sign for California 88, which is also signed as Alternate U.S. 50 (see the white blur next to the green blur where the shields are above the mileage guide sign?). This designation, which is sporadically signed, follows California 89 from Meyers to this intersection, then turns west on California 88 west to National Forest Service Road 5/Mormon Emigrant Trail, rejoining U.S. 50 at Pollock Pines at Exit 60 (Junction County Route E-16/Sly Park Road). Photo taken 07/20/09.
This view looks west along Alternate U.S. 50 and California 88 west toward Carson Pass. Photo taken 07/20/09.
Alternate U.S. 50 and California 88 west
California 88 west
California 88 west and California 49 north
After crossing the Sierra Nevada and descending into Jackson, westbound California 88 and northbound California 49 meet and share alignment briefly. The two routes merge through the city center, then split. From there, California 49 continues north to Placerville along the Gold Country Highway. California 88 continues to ascend the foothills as it heads toward Carson Pass (elevation 8,573 feet). Photo taken by Joel Windmiller and Mike Ballard, 06/99.
California 88 west
California 88-104 west
California 88 west
California 12-88 west
California 88 west
California 88 east
California 12-88 east
California 88 east
California 88-104 east
California 88 east
California 88 east and California 49 south
California 88 east
California 88 and Alternate U.S. 50 east
California 88 east
California 88 east and California 89 south
Eastbound California 88 and southbound California 89 split at this intersection in Woodfords. Turn right (south) here for California 4-89 south to Markleeville, or continue straight for California 88 east and north to Minden-Gardnerville in Nevada. Photo taken 07/20/09.
California 88 east
This reassurance shield for California 88 east is posted in Woodfords after the California 4-89 intersection. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound California 88 meets Carson River Road, which is an old alignment of California 88 that parallels the state highway on the southeast side closer to the Carson River. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Soon thereafter, California 88 east approaches Emigrant Trail, which also parallels California 88 on the northwest side of the state highway. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Leaving the shadow of Cary Peak, eastbound California 88 finds sunshine and the remains of late-day thunderstorms hovering over the distant Pine Nut Mountains on the east side of the Carson Valley. Ahead, California 88 turns north into the Carson Valley, then enters the state of Nevada. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound California 88 meets Foothill Road (left) and Diamond Valley Road (right). Diamond Valley Road travels southeast then southwest via a Washoe Indian Reservation to return to California 4-89 north of Markleeville. Photo taken 07/18/09.
As California 88 turns north, the sprawling Carson Valley comes into view. Pastoral and agricultural, it is a very productive farming area that also contains the cities of Minden and Gardnerville. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Eastbound California 88 approaches Emigrant Trail southwest and River Ranch Road to Carson River Road. Photo taken 07/18/09.
This view looks east across a grazing field in the Carson Valley. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Northbound California 88 approaches Fredericksburg Road. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Another pastoral view looks east from California 88 north. Photo taken 07/18/09.
California 88 approaches the state line with Nevada. A series of signs in the other direction warn of traffic/weather conditions and provide regulatory guidance for incoming traffic to the Golden State. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Northbound California 88 leaves the Golden State of California (Alpine County) and enters the Silver State of Nevada and Douglas County (population 41,259 as of the 2000 Census). At this point, California 88 becomes Nevada 88, one of the rare instances where a California state route retains its route number upon entering a neighboring state. Photo taken 07/18/09.
Scenes Pertaining to California 88
This photo shows a C monument located near Silver Lake, at an elevation of 7,300 feet. C monuments were used to mark right of way for California highways in the earlier days of establishing highway corridors in California. Photo taken by Joel Windmiller (06/01).
