Lake Alpine

[Ponderosa2]

Anyone camped at Lake Alpine on hwy 4 recently? I was thinking of taking my wife and girls. My questions: Is it packed mid-week (we are planning on going up on a Wednesday)? Is it filled with "glampers" and RV's, or are there still some tent campers? Thanks in advance.

[FatCity67]

Yes you can expect full occupancy at the campgrounds and heavy day use.

Call the lodge for an update of lake conditions and check the USFS campground reservation web site to check on occupany.

[skilletboy]

Yeah lots of people... but such a beautiful spot. It's worth it imo.

[Ponderosa2]

Thanks guys, I sort of figured that would be the case. I remember going there with my grandparents and having a good choice of spots. Well, maybe plan B will have to be considered. Alpine is definitely a beautiful spot, but as I get older, I'm becoming less of a people person, which is not a good thing when you live in CA.

[Dingotech]

Check out Highland Lakes, a little further east on Hwy 4. The drive is an hour from the 4 and having a high clearance vehicle helps. But it's a sweet spot.

[Ponderosa2]

Thanks for the tip, I truly appreciate it. I drive a Jeep wrangler, so the road should be okay. Haven't been there before, I'll have to look into it. Thanks again.

[CandG]

I love Alpine Lake, been going there my whole life, but never camped there. It seems pretty popular from what I've seen. The fishing isn't great, but you should be able to catch small pan-sized trout this time of year. Honestly, all the lakes up there are beautiful, so it might be worth driving a little further up hwy 4 as Dingotech recommended. Only problem with alpine lake is that 1/3 of the shoreline is literally 30 feet from hwy 4, I prefer lakes that are a little quieter myself. Wish I could give you a prediction about how packed it will be and what kind of campers will be there, but it's really hard to predict. But I wouldn't count on it being really quiet. Kids should have a blast though, if you're bringing any.

[Darklyte27]

Went once last year, neat place, friend and his fam have been going there for a while now, the crowds are there for sure. Fishing was nice, caught 2 trout.

head there again soon.

[Ponderosa2]

Went once last year, neat place, friend and his fam have been going there for a while now, the crowds are there for sure. Fishing was nice, caught 2 trout.

head there again soon.

It is definitely a great place, it was awesome in the 80's. But for me, in the mountains, I need to be away from people.

[FatCity67]

It is definitely a great place, it was awesome in the 80's. But for me, in the mountains, I need to be away from people.

Almost an impossibility at any lake in the Sierra during the summer these days. Including hike/horse in only.

You are right though back in the 80's before they started improving roads to the high mountain lakes much past 5000 feet the High Sierra was much less traveled. I remember having to use a 4x4/high clearance at one time to get to Highlands, Blue Lakes and even Spicer/Union in the late 70's.

[Ponderosa2]

Almost an impossibility at any lake in the Sierra during the summer these days. Including hike/horse in only.

You are right though back in the 80's before they started improving roads to the high mountain lakes much past 5000 feet the High Sierra was much less traveled. I remember having to use a 4x4/high clearance at one time to get to Highlands, Blue Lakes and even Spicer/Union in the late 70's.

I remember those days as well. My dad had a lifted 72' Ford 4x4 pickup and an aluminum boat with a Johnson 9.9. We'd stop for gas in Arnold before continuing on. At the gas station he'd let my brother and I jump in the bed of the truck from there for the rest of the ride into Union.

I also remember Spicer before they enlarged it. It was really beautiful and had quite the road heading in. Then one year we started hearing the blasting for the expansion. It was loud even from Union.

Those were definitely the days......

[jonnyt16]

Thanks for the tip, I truly appreciate it. I drive a Jeep wrangler, so the road should be okay. Haven't been there before, I'll have to look into it. Thanks again.

Go Jeep!! I tent camped at Lake Alpine last year when I took my Wrangler through Slickrock Trail. It was my first time camping there and yes it was beautiful and yes it was crowded.

Here's a crappy night shot but its the only photo of Lake Alpine I took...




And just a few shots of my Wrangler at Slickrock trail...

[FatCity67]

Go Jeep!! I tent camped at Lake Alpine last year when I took my Wrangler through Slickrock Trail. It was my first time camping there and yes it was beautiful and yes it was crowded.

Here's a crappy night shot but its the only photo of Lake Alpine I took...




And just a few shots of my Wrangler at Slickrock trail...

Shot my first deer with my Dad probably not to far from the location in that first pic back in the early 80's.

[Ponderosa2]

Also, you should check out the Barney Riley Trail which is just up Hwy 4 a little ways on 89. Its a lot easier than Slickrock; a stock truck could do it. Great secluded camping and there's even a hot springs pool at the end of the trail! I personally haven't been there but people who have say its awesome and I'm planning on doing it sometime this summer.

I scannend this from my California Backroads book so not sure if you can even read it but here ya go....

Johnny,

Thanks for taking the time to post that information. Looks like a good place to check out for a future trip. Unfortunately they are busy fighting the Washington fire up that way and it looks like hwy 4 is closed at the top of Ebbetts pass near Wolf Creek Rd. I know fires are a natual occurrence in our Sierra, but I hate to see such a pretty area burn.

Nice looking Jeep by the way. Mine is a stock 2013 unlimited Sahara, it's my daily driver, so stock makes sense for me, but definitely plenty capable and good enough to get where I need to go!

[P5Ret]

You may want to keep an eye on the fire on the other side of the mountain, probably won't be a hazard, but the smoke may be an issue. If you decide to head up to Highland, be prepared for a 1 1/2 lane road all the way up, and no water at Highland according to USFS yet. OH and you may have to share your camp site with range cattle a bit.