California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Inspiration Point

Inspiration PointPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.4 mi
round trip
543 ft
climb
7,897 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Inspiration Point open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Inspiration Point, 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.

Inspiration Point is an easy out-and-back hike in the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, about 1.4 miles long with a one-way elevation gain of 543 feet. The trail starts at a low point of about 7,331 feet and climbs to a high point of about 7,897 feet. The route is on natural surface, and the Forest Service allows both horses and bikes. It is open year-round, and the closest town is likely a short drive away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days in the month. Winter is much colder, with January highs around 36°F. Lake Alpine Recreation Area, a lake fishing spot, is about 0.2 miles away, and Pine Marten and Silver Valley campgrounds are each about 0.4 miles off. The Lakeshore Trail, a mountain biking route, is about 0.1 miles from the trailhead.

Around this trail

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

    Pine Marten

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi

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

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

    Best time to visit Inspiration Point

    Best months: May–October. 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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 35.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Three CreeksPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Three Creeks

Next door

1.68-mile out-and-back trail in California with 407 ft elevation gain/loss.

Highland CreekPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Highland Creek

Next door

33.98-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,227 ft elevation gain.

Elephant RockPhoto: wiskinator, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Elephant Rock

~1 min drive

5.19-mile out-and-back trail to Elephant Rock in California with 344 ft gain.

Lower Woodchuck TrailPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Woodchuck Trail

~1 min drive

2.62-mile out-and-back hike in California with 673 ft gain/loss

Lake ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake Valley

~5 min drive

11.45-mile out-and-back trail in California with 378 ft elevation gain.

Emigrant TrailPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Emigrant Trail

~3 min drive

A 3.20-mile out-and-back trail in California connected to the Mormon Carson Emigrant Trail system.

ALPINE HORSE TRAIL LOOPPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

ALPINE HORSE TRAIL LOOP

~1 min drive

2.32-mile out-and-back trail in California with 671 ft gain/loss

Underwood ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Underwood Valley

~4 min drive

15.35-mile out-and-back trail in California with 2,156 ft elevation gain.

Pack TrailPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pack Trail

~4 min drive

Pack Trail is a 1.82-mile out-and-back hike in California with 771 ft of elevation gain.

Lk Alpine Cg to ChickareePhoto: weldonwk, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lk Alpine Cg to Chickaree

~1 min drive

1.86-mile out-and-back trail in California with 7,606 ft gain.

Route details

Distance
1.4 mi round trip
Climbing
About 543 ft
Summit
7,907 ft
Difficulty
Easy

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Inspiration Point on Inspiration Point?

About 1.4 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Inspiration Point?

About 543 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Inspiration Point?

It is rated easy.

When is the best time for the Inspiration Point?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Inspiration Point

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.