Bear Valley

Sierra Avalanche Center Avalanche.org

General Notes: Includes the Bear Valley Access trail: 1.5 miles of intermediate trail that runs from the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK to Bear Valley Village. This trail provides users the opportunity to ride from Bear Valley to the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK to access the groomed trail. During the winter months, Highway 4 is groomed for snowmobile use from the closure gate 2.5 miles east of Bear Valley to the top of Ebbetts Pass (approximately 15 miles) and to Highland Lakes. This trail has numerous segments, appropriate for different skill levels from novice to expert. As the trail climbs towards the pass, the views are spectacular. Opportunities exist for expert riders to continue riding on the un-groomed portion of the Highway on the east side of Ebbetts Pass. (Note: The groomed portion of Highway 4 is a multi-user trail, and is heavily used by nordic skiers as well as snowmobilers, particularly in the Lake Alpine region.) You can pick up the most recent Over Snow Vehicle Use map at the Calaveras Ranger District office. Or download a Geotagged PDF of the Over Snow Vehicle Use Map here. Check the current snow depth here: Snow Depth Map

Forecast for Bear Valley area

Directions: Parking: Small parking lot and roadside parking along Hwy 4 west of the winter closure gate. Toilets: Vault