Campo Velo -- Bear Valley and Lake Alpine 2006



We originally planned to go to Sequoia National Park for our June CVH trip, but quickly had to change our destination when we found out all the Park's campgrounds were full. Lake Alpine near the Bear Valley Ski Resort on Hwy 4 in the high Sierra became our alternate choice. At elevations over 7,000 feet, Lake Alpine and the surrounding majestic snow-capped mountains turned out to be an ideal location for our monthly bike and hike trek. Lightly travelled Hwy 4 and Spicer Lake Road made for two excellent but very challenging cycling days. We bagged Mt. Reba, elev. 8,760', on a 10-mile hike. Valley temperatures at or above 100 degrees created ideal conditions for monsoon weather in the mountains. By mid-afternoon, the clear blue skies would sprout large billowing clouds that spiraled thousands of feet up and turned dark and menacing. Lightning cracked and thunder boomed across the mountain tops. The warm temperatures plummeted by 20 degrees, and rain and hail the size of marbles poured down in squalls. And then just as suddenly as it arrived, the storm would quickly dissipate and the sun would reappear through the parting clouds. This dramatic weather pattern encouraged us to return to camp by mid-afternoon. Sometimes we made it, sometimes we didn't. Witnessing temperamental Mother Nature up close and personal like this only added drama to five great days in Alpine County.


First day's ride: An out-and-back from Big Meadows Campground to Ebbetts Pass -- a 46-mile ride with 5,000' of climbing.


Eric on a new bike path at picturesque Lake Alpine


Dick rounds a curve on Hwy 4	Geno spots the Dardanelles on the horizon


Hwy 4 passes right next to the shores of lanquid Mosquito Lake


Cascading Pacific Creek	Two cyclists descend Hwy 4 from Ebbetts Pass


Mountains across Hermit Valley on the way to Ebbetts Pass


Highland Peak on the climb to Ebbetts Pass	Dick approaches the summit


We made it! After a quick lunch, we'll start the return trip up Pacific Grade before the thunderstorms arrive.


A screaming 5-mile descent to Hermit Valley	Rest at Pacific Creek before pushing up the Grade


YIKES! This is a serious climb. Pacific Grade climbs 2+ miles at 10% grade. About 2/3 of the way to the top, there's a 3/10-mile section of 24% grade. The photo at right is deceiving -- the Grade is much worse than it appears here.


Cresting the summit at Mosquito Lake	A well-deserved break at the Lake Alpine Lodge


Back in camp before the awesome thunderstorm strikes. Note our double duty protection -- a rain canopy over a mosquito screen house.


You can't tell, but the hail were the size of marbles	A bear, not these two jokers, bent the lid back


Our camp backed up to a small creek where we went bouldering

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