Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 3 summits is a 3.6-mile out-and-back near Lake Alpine, CA. The route passes Lake Alpine before reaching Inspiration Point at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 582 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 3 summits
3.6 mi · ▲ 582 ft · 1 hr 29 min
Elevation 7,304–7,904 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 38.47827, -120.00300
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:02 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 50 ftPass Lake Alpine.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Lakeshore Trail, heading NE.
- 1.1 miBear left onto Inspiration Point Trail, heading S.
- 0.7 miReach Inspiration Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miBear right onto Lakeshore Trail, heading N.
- 1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~53 min). Leave by 5:49 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Lake Alpine–Bee Gulch Trail, 7 sights 15.2 mi · ▲ 2,853 ft
Get outside more
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