More than five unnamed lakes along the Five Lakes Trail, a forest trail rated easy, and a lift providing access to the slopes: Alpine Meadows brings together a range of options for outdoor days. When planning, it’s worth taking a closer look at the routes. They differ in length, difficulty, and starting points; hiking and skiing also offer different ways to shape your stay.
Hiking Trails for Different Ability Levels
The Five Lakes Trail is a steep, 4-mile round-trip hike. It begins on private land and ends in the Granite Chief Wilderness. Along the way, you’ll pass more than five lakes that have no names of their own. Fishing and swimming are possible at the lakes.
The Five Lakes Trailhead can be reached from Highway 89 by taking Alpine Meadows Road for more than 2 miles; roadside parking is available there. The route description combines a specific approach with a hike whose length and steepness should be factored into your day’s plans.
The Bear Creek Trail offers a different option: it’s a 2.5-mile round trip through the woods, rated easy and open to bicycles. Conditions may change on sections that cross private land; check the latest information before setting out.
One trailhead for the Bear Creek Trail is on Alpine Meadows Road, across from the Five Lakes Trailhead. The other end begins at the Alpine Meadows Horse Stables. Comparing the two hikes brings their specific differences into focus: Five Lakes is the longer, steeper route, with lakes along the way and an endpoint in the wilderness; Bear Creek is shorter, rated easy, and open to bicycles.
Pacific Crest Trail and Trail Connections
The Pacific Crest Trail currently runs near the Alpine Bowl and Summit Six lifts in Alpine Meadows. From a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, hikers can head south to the Five Lakes and Alpine Meadows. These route connections add another hiking option to the shorter loop trails. Since trail conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check them before setting out.
Lift Access and Base Area
Treeline Cirque is a high-speed, four-person chairlift. From the base area, it gives skiers and snowboarders direct access to both the front and back sides of Alpine Meadows’ slopes. The route to the chalet also uses Treeline Cirque: ride from the base area to the mid-station or the summit, then ski down.
The base area offers a ski-lodge-style experience. Alpine Meadows is also known for a quieter pace and a central base area that’s suitable for families. Along with slope access, the area’s layout and character are worth considering when deciding whether Alpine Meadows is a good fit for your stay.
The ski resort’s history includes a clearly dated milestone: in November 2011, Alpine Meadows joined another resort. Together, the two resorts offered 6,000 skiable acres on a single lift ticket. This is a look back at a historical event; the lift and trail connections describe different options for hiking and ski days.
When looking for a place to stay, you can first consider whether hiking or skiing will be the focus of your trip. The steep hike to the Five Lakes, the shorter Bear Creek Trail, and lift access to the slopes each offer a different experience. This makes it easier to assess Alpine Meadows based on the activities you’d like to include in your trip.
Explore more destinations: Homewood, Foresthill, Lincoln, Rocklin, Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, Dollar Point
View the broader travel guide: Placer.
