Lake Alpine

About Lake Alpine

The lake is part of the Upper Utica Project, a reservoir created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the California Department of Water Resources. The reservoir is controlled by the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) and serves as a water control and storage basin for downstream hydropower generation. It is the largest of its kind in the United States and attracts outdoor fans looking for seclusion. This reservoir has been part of the Upper Utico Project since the early 1970s.

The US Forest Service has developed a number of campsites around the lake, surrounded by scenic views of the Sierra Nevada and the San Joaquin Valley. The Alpensee is a popular destination for camping and camping in the open air, as well as for hiking, camping, fishing and hiking.

Several campsites are located on the lake shore, some at the eastern end of the lake, others on the western side.

The Silvertip campsite is located one kilometre west of the lake and has a footpath leading to it. Lake Alpine Campings is located at the eastern end of Lake Alpine, south of Silvertedip Lake, and offers a variety of camping options, including a campsite with picnic tables, a picnic area and swimming pool, as well as access to a number of hiking trails.

The Backpackers Campground is located on the eastern shore of the lake and is the campsite for those planning a backpacker adventure. Camping on the Backpacks Campgrounds is only allowed in the summer months, as it is intended to allow hikers an early start into the nearby wooded mountains. When the tents are full, the Lodgepole campsite opens to accommodate more guests for a short period of time on weekends and holidays.

Parts of the eastern lake are asphalted and barrier-free, and part of this route is shared with the Barentalsee and Alpenwegbebe, the two most popular hiking trails in the Alps.

It is accessible via the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway, and another popular hiking destination is the nearby Inspiration Point.
A commercial resort on the north side of the lake offers hut and shop rentals, restaurants and a boat dock. The resort also rents boats and canoes and offers space for swimming and picnic days.

Fishing is popular at the Alpensee and the maximum speed of 10 HP on the lake ensures quiet fishing and no motors are allowed at night. Rainbow trout are regularly caught, as are lignite catfish, but shallow shallows are often fished with swimming tubes in canoes and kayaks.

A California fishing license is required and special regulations may apply, so it is best for anglers to check with the ranger station directly on the road at the last minute. Private campsites are also nearby, but reservations are accepted and early arrival is the best place to stay.

Alpensee is a perfect place to explore this picturesque and historic area, and while camping at Alpsee is not possible in winter, many areas along the Autobahn 4 are perfect in the summer months.

The gates to the motorway 4 are closed and require the purchase of a card, but not far away there are winter sports activities in the Barental. The Sno - Park is located in the winter snow and several areas are suitable for off-road vehicles and vehicles on the road. For snowmobiles there is a well prepared and - one - half a kilometer long trail through the snow. Ski and cross-country groups can be found throughout the area, as well as snowmobiles, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding.

Ebbetts Pass, which was awarded the National Scenic Byway in 2005, winds for 60 miles. The alpine region of Lake Alpine is easily accessible as the lake is located on the east side of the San Bernardino National Forest, just a few miles from the town of Alpine, California.

The route crosses Ebbetts Pass at 8700 feet, one of the highest passes in the so-called California Alps. It is considered an important route for early gold and silver miners who in turn followed the paths of the early indigenous peoples through the rugged mountains. The route passes through the San Bernardino National Forest, the largest national forest in California, and several other national parks, such as the Sierra Nevada and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

At the end of the picturesque Byway of Ebbeed, two large state parks are accessible, both worth a daily visit. The Alpine lake and its surroundings attract many weekend visitors from coastal towns, others come sometime in the summer to camp. The altitude ensures cool temperatures and refreshing mountain air, and the campsites are small to prevent them from becoming crowded and noisy.

Known for winter sports skiing, there is plenty to do in the region throughout the year to entertain visitors. The famous Bärental is only a few kilometers away and offers all the amenities a visitor could wish for.

There are antique shops, eclectic restaurants and shopping, and several limestone cave complexes invite visitors to admire the natural beauty of the area, such as the lake itself and even the underground lakes. History buffs can spend a whole week visiting the many museums dedicated to the colourful characters who populated this area when it was first explored.

Non-campers can find all kinds of accommodation on the Alpensee, and private guest rooms can often be rented during the season. The perfect accommodation can be booked in one of the many hotels, making your stay in Sierra Nevada an unforgettable experience.

With the picturesque Byway to the Alps Lake And you know that you always like to come back, but you have to wait all summer for the Alpine lake.