Inspiration Point

Inspiration Point is the tall stone mountain towering above Lake Alpine's south side visible from nearly every part of the lake area.

The trail covers a total round trip distance of 2.4 miles with about 600' of elevation gain. The path begins from a small parking area near the entrance to the Pine Marten Campground, following the course of the Lake Alpine Loop Trail for a short distance before a post marks the fork where the Inspiration Point leaves the flat route and begins a steep ascent up the hillside.

On its way, the trail passes several shaded sandy and rocky areas on the shores of Lake Alpine, which make a much quieter alternative during busy summer weekends than the day use areas along the highwayside of the lake.

Climbing from the forest canopy and emerging onto exposed mountainside, Inspiration Point itself is a mostly barren rocky butte with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and lakes. The high point is the eastern side of the butte, however several stone outcroppings provide good places to sit looking down on the expanse of the lake below. 

The hike itself is a steep but moderate climb, and should be doable by most with moderate hiking abilities if you take the slippery dirt slopes slow and prepare for the shadeless conditions at the top.

While the trailhead itself doesn't have any amenities, pit toilets and trash are available inside campgrounds and at the numerous day use areas throughout the lake area.