Three Bears and Lots of Lakes

Hike Bear Lakes Trail

Your chances of seeing a bear on the Bear Lakes Trail aren't all that high; but your chances of seeing spectacular High Sierra scenery on this 3-mile hike? Guaranteed! Located in the Lakes Basin area, about a 30 minute drive from Sierraville, this hike rewards as you gain a little elevation and pass a quartet of emerald lakes: Big Bear, Little Bear, Cub, and Long lakes. From the parking area you'll see two trailheads: Bear Lakes Trail and Silver Lake Trail. Start on the Bear Lakes Trail and make a big clockwise loop returning on the Silver Lake Trail. Within a half-mile you'll reach your first lake, Big Bear, and its striking feature of striated rock surfaces in the background, caused by glacier movement. In another half-mile comes Little Bear Lake, then Cub Lake. After 1.5 miles of hiking, you'll be at a “T” intersection, with Silver Lake a quarter-mile to the left and Long Lake a quarter-mile to the right. If you'd like to see another glacier-scooped lake, make a detour to Silver Lake; otherwise go right to Long Lake. Continue hiking along its east shore. Living up to its name, Long Lake is long! There are plenty of great places to take a break and picnic along the banks here.

NOTE: Check conditions before embarking on this hike to ensure recent snowfall hasn't made this trail impassable or difficult. At our last check, snow was expected to melt, but it's best to follow up before embarking on this adventure. If it rains again in the next several weeks, it can affect this trail. From Bassetts/Hwy. 49, go north on the Gold Lake Hwy. 8 miles. The trailhead is in the Lakes Basin Campground at the end of the road. Follow the directions above for a 3-mile hike. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View