AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights

13.5 mi · ▲ 1,974 ft · 5 hr 29 min

Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights is a 13.5-mile out-and-back near Lake Alpine, CA. The route passes Union Reservoir, Elephant Rock Lake and Lake Alpine before reaching Inspiration Point at the turnaround, 6.8 miles in. It climbs 1,974 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 64/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,861 – 7,904 ft · steepest grade: 20%13.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lakeshore Trail 38.42862, -119.99165
Nearest town Lake Alpine, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights

13.5 mi · ▲ 1,974 ft · 5 hr 29 min

Elevation 6,861–7,904 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Lakeshore Trail · 38.42862, -119.99165

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 83°F / low 61° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:09 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lakeshore Trail, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass Union Reservoir.
  3. 1.3 miPass Elephant Rock Lake.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  5. 100 ftBear right onto Union Rock Lake Trail, heading NE.
  6. 0.3 miTurn left onto Elephant Rock Trail, heading NW.
  7. 3 miContinue straight onto Highland Creek Trail, heading NW.
  8. 0.9 miTurn left onto Silver Valley to Lakeshore Connector, heading W.
  9. 0.5 miPass Lake Alpine.
  10. 150 ftBear left onto Lakeshore Trail, heading NW.
  11. 0.1 miBear left onto Inspiration Point Trail, heading SW.
  12. 0.7 miReach Inspiration Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 0.7 miBear right onto Lakeshore Trail, heading N.
  14. 0.1 miBear right onto Silver Valley to Lakeshore Connector, heading N.
  15. 0.5 miTurn right onto Highland Creek Trail, heading NE.
  16. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Elephant Rock Trail, heading S.
  17. 3 miTurn right onto Union Rock Lake Trail, heading SE.
  18. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  19. 50 ftBear right onto Lakeshore Trail, heading SW.
  20. 1.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/inspiration-point-lake-alpine-out-back-5-lakes-22-km

Trail surface

69% dirt31% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 83°F61°
Precip0%Wind4 mphUV9Humidity24%
Hourly temperature
85°60°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:09 PM
Wed 83°59°
Thu 87°59°
Fri 87°60°
Sat 87°61°
Sun 86°59°
Mon 85°58°

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Lakeshore Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Lake Alpine, California