California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Bear Trap Basin

Bear Trap BasinPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.5 mi
round trip
168 ft
climb
7,168 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Bear Trap Basin open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Bear Trap Basin, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Trap Basin is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.5 miles in the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 168 feet from a low point of roughly 7,000 feet to a high of about 7,170 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with only about two wet days a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. Within a few miles you'll find the Mctc: 7N11 to 17E27 hike, the Flagpole Point mountain biking area, the Hell's Kitchen climbing area and (Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Horse Gulch Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rebas 's Toll House Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Bear Trap Basin

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 30 mi away at 6,314 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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