1. Lake Alpine Inspiration Point

   • Distance: ~2.5 miles (out & back) 

   • Elevation gain: ~636 ft 

   • Highlights: A moderate hike up to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Alpine. 

   • Notes: Roads to the trailhead may be seasonally closed. 

2. Bear Valley → Lake Alpine Trail

   • Distance: ~5.1 km (a loop) between Bear Valley and Lake Alpine

   • Difficulty: Medium Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway

   • Description: Scenic trail along the Ebbetts Pass corridor connecting Bear Valley and Lake Alpine. 

3. Bear Valley to Lake Alpine via Emigrant

   • Distance: ~5.7 miles

   • Elevation gain: ~882 ft 

   • Difficulty: Moderate 

   • Description: A more extended route joining Bear Valley to Lake Alpine via Emigrant terrain. 

4. Lake Alpine & Duck Lake Loop

   • Distance: ~7.7 miles 

   • Elevation: ~719 ft climb 

   • Difficulty: Intermediate

   • Highlights: Combines lakes scenery, forest, and more remote trails.

5. Alpine Bypass Trail

   • Trail type: Easy walk / gentle trail US Forest Service

   • Route: Connects Silvertip Campground to Bee Gulch Trail, crosses Highway 4. US Forest Service

   • Good for: A lighter hike or connecting route.

6. Other Alpine County Options (further afield, but still worthwhile)

   • Bull Canyon Trail (to Noble Lake) — ~3.5 mi one way, moderate to strenuous 

   • Wolf Creek Trail — up to ~5 mi to Bull Lake, longer to other lakes 

   • Corral Valley Trail — ~12-mile loop, scenic alpine terrain 

   • Burnside Lake Hike — ~6 miles, moderate to strenuous 

   • Granite Lake Trail — ~1.5 mi

1. Spicer Meadow Reservoir (near Bear Valley)

• Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout. Well-stocked, with sizable holdover trout. Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway+1

• Fishing Style:

  • Shore: Use salmon eggs, PowerBait, worms in coves or near inlets.

  • Fly Fishing: Excellent in summer—try nymphs, woolly buggers, or dries.

  • Trolling: Works mid-to-late summer when trout are in the thermocline; 10 HP motor limit keeps it tranquil. Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway+1

• Access & Vibe: Remote, peaceful, ideal for pairing with camping or hiking adventures.

2. Lake Alpine

• Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout. Regularly planted for consistent fishing action. 

• Elevation & Stats: ~7,303 ft elevation; about 179 acres in area. 

• Success Rates:

  • Historical surveys show around 1 fish/hour, with 3.8 fish per angler on average. Boat fishing tends to yield better results than shore. 

• Techniques:

  • Trolling: Needlefish, Glitter Bugs, Panther Martins.

  • Spinning: Rapalas, Kastmasters.

  • Bait: PowerBait, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers.

  • Fly Fishing: Adams, Stone Flies, Woolly Buggers.

  • Access & Amenities:

  • Accessible via Highway 4 east of Bear Valley.

  • Offers boat launch facilities, campgrounds, a lodge, picnic areas, and scenic hiking trails. 

• Portions upstream (Silver Creek) are closed April–August to protect spawning trout.

• Tip: Look for less obvious access points off Highway 4 for peaceful, productive spots.

4. Union Reservoir & Other Nearby Lakes

• Union Reservoir: Another trout-stocked option near Bear Valley (reports trace back to 2016)

• Other Nearby Waters: White Pines, Utica Reservoirs, Mosquito, Highland, and Kinney Lakes—all accessible via the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway and known for planted trout.

Bear Valley Mountain Resort

SUMMER:

Bear Valley Adventure

• Single Kayaks

• Double Kayaks

• Stand-Up Paddleboards

• Canoes

• Boats

• Bikes / Road / Mountain / Bikes

• Boat Delivery

Lake Alpine Lodge 

• Motorboats

• Canoes

• Kayaks

• Stand-Up Paddleboards

• Pedal Boats

Caples Lake Resort

• Single Kayaks

• Double Kayaks

• Fishing Boats

• Stand-Up Paddleboards

• Pedal Kayak

• Pontoon Boats

WINTER:

Bear Valley Adventure

• Cross Country Skis

• Snowshoes

• Sleds & Tubes

Bear Valley Snowmobile

• Snowmobiles

Bear Valley Resort

• Ski and Snowboard

Kirkwood Resort

• Ski & Snowboard

Kirkwood Cross Country

• Cross Country Skis

• Snowshoes

• Fat Tire Bikes

Desolation Hotel, Hope Valley

• Cross Country Skis

• Snowshoes