California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

North Lake Alpine

North Lake AlpinePhoto: weldonwk, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.5 mi
round trip
1,055 ft
climb
8,471 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is North Lake Alpine open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name North Lake Alpine, 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.

North Lake Alpine is a moderate out-and-back hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Calaveras Ranger District. The trail is about 5.5 miles long, and it climbs roughly 1,055 feet from a low point of about 7,442 feet to a high of about 8,471 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route carries a natural surface, with both bikes and horses allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, records typical July averages of about 75°F for highs and 49°F for lows, with only about two wet days in the month. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the hike's high point, so temperatures on top run cooler. The trail starts close to the Osborne Ridge Trail and its connector, and Silvertip Campground is about 0.2 miles away. Lake Alpine Recreation Area, about 1.6 miles off, offers lake fishing, and Warm-up Wall, a climbing area, is about 4.1 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Silvertip

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sky Hi Pizza and Pub

    Restaurant

    In town

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

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

    Best time to visit North Lake Alpine

    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, 35.2 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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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