The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Celebration, or Hermitfest, offers music and mountain fans the opportunity to “Come Play on the Pass” and enjoy an outdoor, live music event of the year in celebration of the beautiful Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway. Weather allowing, a late-night jam session is held on Saturday evening as well as Sunday morning acoustic music plus Yoga with Alex for those who choose to stay overnight. The festival is filled with all-day music, vendors, and kids’ activities, and new this year, there will be guided mountain bike rides on Sunday courtesy of Bear Valley Adventure Company and Mountain Aloha.
GROUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE:
- When: Sunday, September 8th
- Where: next to the stage at the ball field
- Time: 10am to 11:30am
- Two Groups: Beginner & Intermediate
- Must have: Bike, Helmet, Water
Please visit the Hermifest page for more information on camping opportunities, directions to the event site, and more!
Getting it’s name from its original location in the Hermit Valley, Hermitfest is all about the music. This day-long celebration swells with live music in the meadow in Bear Valley. It begins around noon and officially ends at 7 pm, but the acoustic music often continues around the campfire long into the evening with musicians playing together in all sorts of combinations. Campsites are available on a first come basis for those wishing to spend the night, and more sites are available in the immediate vicinity of the event near and above Lake Alpine. Well-socialized dogs are welcome and need to be on a maximum six foot leash.
Nestled at an impressive altitude of 8,495 feet, Bear Valley stands as a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a premier destination for both novices and seasoned adventurers alike. Fall weather is generally warm and sunny, but a quick afternoon rain shower is always a possibility in the mountains, and you’ll want to make sure you bring warm clothing as the mornings and evenings can be quite chilly. Winter brings gorgeous alpine skiing to Bear Valley Ski Resort without the huge crowds and high prices you tend to see at other ski resorts. Bear Valley Adventure Company features over 100 miles of USFS single track and trails for mountain biking, excellent high mountain road biking, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing on 4 nearby lakes during the summer. About five minutes up Highway 4 sits the pristine Lake Alpine, perfect for summer picnics, serene hikes, and excellent fishing, camping, and kayaking.
Ebbetts Pass was honored with National Scenic Byway status in 2005, making it one of only seven nationally-designated byways in California. The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association is the non-profit organization tasked with preserving, enhancing, and promoting the unique resources of the byway.
Nearby Camp Connell, Dorrington, and Arnold have plenty of lodging from cozy cabins to comfortable inn – click here for a list of places nearby.
