Bear Valley to Lake Alpine

This trail gives visitors to the village of Bear Valley the option to take a quiet walk up to the popular nearby recreation destination of Lake Alpine.

Beginning in the disc golf course about 150 feet east of the large parking area in Bear Valley, this trail follows a slight uphill grade for a distance of about 3.2 miles one-way to the west shore of Lake Alpine. Though about 1 mile into the path, hikers have an option to fork onto the Emigrant Trail which reaches the same destination in about the same disance. Though having these two parallel paths offers those on the hike an option to return on a different course than they hiked out on.

Following a meandering track through alpine forest, this is a scenic walk that passes through beautiful rolling terrain and stands of forested hillside. The northern path traces a route just upslope from Highway 4, which is visible through the trees for a good portion. Nearing the high point of the trail following just under 500' of elevation gain, the path reaches and skirts around Silvertip Campground. Here, several trails fork off for the peak of Osborn Hill or veering north into the mountains. The course to Lake Alpine follows the widest path and begins a gradual descent to the lakeside.

The trail emerges onto the dirt road to the Lake Alpine day use area. (Hikers should remember where they emerged from, as there are no signs marking the trail location.) Those looking to explore the lake further or tack on a few more miles of hiking can consider doing the Lake Alpine Loop Trail.

From Lake Alpine, hikers can return the way they came, or head a little south along the dirt road to where a sign pointing toward the Lakeshore Trail marks the way to the Emigrant Trail that follows a more interior course on quieter single track that eventually meets back up with the path back to Bear Valley without adding any additional distance.

There are no amenities at the parking area, however there is a service station and grocery market in the town of Bear Valley.

This area can get covered in snow and the highway may close during winter conditions east of Bear Valley.