"Markleeville" a Markleeville Travel Page by bpwarne

Markleeville is located on the east slope of the Sierra about a 35 minute drive south of Lake Tahoe. We have called it home since 1987, although we also spend much of our time in Shelter Cove on the northern California coast since having built a home there in 1997. Located at about 5500 ft elevation, Marklleville has a population of 197 and is the county seat of Alpine County, the least populated county in California and also the county with the lowest population density per sq/mile in the state.

Markleeville is located on the fringe of some very great winter activity areas, including Kirkwood and Heavenly ski resorts, both about 45 minutes drive away. Bear Valley ski resort is also located in Alpine County, about an hours drive from Markleeville but is inaccessable from the east slope during winter as highway 4 is closed. The Ebbett's Pass area of Highway 4 is a tremendous area to explore during the summer season with beautiful, pristine mountain lakes and streams. There are also many cross country and ski mobile parks in Alpine county. In the summer there is stream fishing, white water rafting (level 3, I believe), mountain biking, hiking, exploring of old silver mining town sites around Monitor and Silver City and of course all the great outdoor activities associated with Lake Tahoe, 35-45 minutes away. Grover Hot Springs is a state park located about 5 miles outside of Markleeville with a huge man made natural hot spring pool and a cooler pool for swimming, camping facilities, hiking trails, open all year, times vary.

The Pony Express ran through Woodfords, just 6 miles from Markleeville, in Alpine County.
Silver Mountain City had a population of roughly 3000 during the Silver boom of the late 1800's. Remains of the city jail and other buildings can be seen to this day. The Cuthroat Saloon and hotel building in downtown Markleeville was once the Fisk Hotel and stood in Silver Mountain City and was dismantled and moved to Markleeville in 1885.
The Death Ride or Tour of the California Alps, is a 130 mile bicycle ride covering 5 mountain passes with a total of 15000 feet of climbing which is held each July and staged in Markleeville.