Bear Valley, California 95223 · 7,270 feet
A Bear Valley original for slow mornings, big mountain days and great meals around the table.
Bear Lake weather forecast
Monday, Sep 21
One cabin, two worlds
Drive to the chalet, paddle at sunrise, hike the high country and eat outside under the pines.
Park in the village and arrive by snowmobile taxi, ski, sled or a beautiful 15–20 minute walk.
Ski-home access via Lunch Run depends on mountain operations, coverage and ability. Bear Lake and its community rope swing are unsupervised; conditions change quickly and there is no lifeguard.
The chalet
Designed in 1968 by bridge architect Donald MacDonald, the chalet's octagonal plan, preserved pines and steep roof were shaped for gathering and Bear Valley's heavy Sierra snow. MacDonald later served as project architect for the Bay Bridge's new eastern span and helped guide nearly three decades of design updates to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Three private bedrooms downstairs—two kings and one queen—plus an open sleeping loft make room for up to twelve. The remodeled kitchen centers on an Electrolux induction range. A Vermont Castings Encore wood-burning stove, high-speed Starlink, Level 2 EV charging and Tesla Powerwall backup keep mountain life comfortable without sanding off the cabin's character.
Everything you need
Three private bedrooms downstairs—two kings and one queen—plus two queens and two singles in the loft.
Fast Starlink Wi-Fi and Tesla Powerwall backup for dependable mountain stays.
Lake access, two decks, a pellet grill and trailheads in every direction. In season, guests can buy day passes for the Bear Valley Tennis & Pickleball Club ↗. Pickleball paddles and balls are provided at the chalet; guests should bring their own tennis racquets and balls.
The cabin welcomes dogs. Bear Lake itself does not allow dogs on the beach or in the water.
A useful winter extra
Guests may request our snowmobile for simple shuttle trips between the village and chalet. It is offered separately from the chalet stay, with its own fee, operating rules and weather-dependent approval.
Snowmobile details ↗Not a trail-riding rental. Separate agreement, safety review and availability confirmation required.
Gather in the high country
Bear Valley and the Highway 4 corridor move from music under canvas and mountain races to Murphys street festivals and Angels Camp's legendary frog jump.
Orchestra nights, tribute acts and special performances under the Big White Tent.
See the festival ↗
California's landmark closed-road cycling challenge crosses the high passes around Bear Valley.
Ride details ↗A village pancake breakfast, homespun parade and community celebration—with fireworks when conditions allow.
Check summer events ↗
Free live music, mountain air and a celebration of the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway.
Festival details ↗New Year's Eve and Winter Explosion bring village festivities and torchlight on the ski hill.
Watch resort events ↗
Snowmobile drag racing, hill climbs, a light parade and a full weekend of mountain culture.
Sled Fest updates ↗
Choose a 5K to 50K trail race through Arnold's Sierra forest, supporting the nonprofit that maintains the Arnold Rim Trail.
Race details ↗
Four days of frog jumping, rodeo, live music and classic fairground spectacle inspired by Mark Twain.
Fair details ↗
California's oldest and largest grape stomp pairs 120 teams with a Gold Rush street fair across historic Murphys.
Stomp details ↗Death Ride image: “Granite and Pine – Ebbetts Pass” by Terry Morse / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · cropped · Music Festival photo: Bear Valley Music Festival · HermitFest photo: Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway · Sled Fest action photo (Wyoming): SummitXrider / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Run the Rim photo: U.S. Forest Service via Arnold Rim Trail Association · Jumping Frog Jubilee photo: Frank Schulenburg / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped · Grape stomp image (illustrative): Jeffrey Keeton / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · cropped
Plan the next trip
Mountain schedules can change with weather, permits and operating conditions. Confirm details with the organizer before making the drive.
The local list
Trail maps close to the cabin, alpine-lake hikes farther up Highway 4—and a soundtrack for settling in.
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A route we walked
A 4.9-mile village-side loop with about 1,100 feet of climbing and a high point just over 8,000 feet.
Farther along Highway 4
Alpine lakes, a taste of the Pacific Crest Trail and deeper wilderness. RT means round trip; distances depend on the stated start and turnaround.
Stanislaus Meadow / Mosquito Lakes
Bull Run ~7 mi RT · Heiser ~5 mi RTModerate–strenuous
Two alpine-lake outings with different starts: reach Bull Run from Stanislaus Meadow, or Heiser from Mosquito Lakes. Bull Run begins gently before a steeper climb. Connecting the lakes makes a longer trip; the distances here are separate out-and-backs, not a combined loop.
Lake Alpine · Silver Valley trailhead
Duck ~2.4 mi RT · Rock ~9 mi RTModerate · Longer day for Rock Lake
Start at the entrance to Silver Valley Campground. Duck Lake is the shorter forest-and-meadow escape; Rock Lake is a much longer wilderness outing. These are separate destination distances, returning the same way, with extra mileage for loops or shoreline wandering.
Ebbetts Pass
8.2 mi RT · ~1,774 ft climbingChallenging mountain day
A rewarding volcanic-landscape walk with repeated climbs and descents on the way to Noble Lake. Steep sidehill sections add exposure. These figures follow the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s itinerary; use its matching map and route file.
Ebbetts Pass · Kinney Lakes
4.8 mi RT · ~849 ft climbingGentler PCT outing · High altitude
Follow the PCT north across Highway 4, past Sherrold Lake and on to the Upper Kinney Lake spur. Sherrold makes an earlier turnaround; Lower Kinney is an optional detour. Mileage follows the PCTA itinerary, not a walk from the roadside reservoir.
For experienced hikers wanting a much longer day, continue on the PCT beyond the Kinney area toward Pennsylvania Creek. This is not part of the 4.8-mile outing: plan your full distance, water and turnaround using a current PCT map.
PCT planning maps ↗Highland Lakes Road · Gardner Meadow
Asa Lake ~4.6 mi RTEasy–moderate trail · Remote access
A meadow-and-forest hike to Asa Lake from Gardner Meadow near Highland Lakes. Allow time for the narrow, winding dirt access road; high clearance is recommended. Prefer a shorter day? Explore the Highland Lakes area and choose a modest out-and-back instead.
Experienced backcountry hikers only
Camp Irene ~10.2 mi RT from Lake Valley THStrenuous · Route-finding essential
Camp Irene is a steep descent with a demanding climb back out. The official Lake Valley trailhead requires a highway-legal, high-clearance 4×4—not AWD. Starting at Round Valley Sno-Park adds distance. Carry water for the dry approach and get current ranger advice before committing.
These are remote wilderness objectives, not casual extensions to a lake walk. Routes in the canyon can be primitive or hard to follow, with consequential river crossings. Plan a separate backcountry trip with the ranger district; do not rely on a cabin for shelter or assume it is open to enter.
Mokelumne maps & planning contacts ↗
Photo: Public domain · Tim Bottomley / FHWADown the road
Alpine laps in winter, high-country trails and live mountain events when the snow melts.
Explore the mountain ↗Paddle & picnic
Rent a kayak, find a granite perch or walk the shoreline of this classic Sierra lake.
Plan a Lake Alpine day ↗
Photo: Recreation.govA wild day out
Big water, quiet coves and the Stanislaus River campground—plus the area’s naturally smooth granite river channel.*
Plan a Spicer day ↗
Photo: California State ParksGiant sequoias
Walk among ancient groves on an easy and unforgettable day trip down Highway 4.
Visit the state park ↗The smooth granite river channel near Stanislaus River Campground is a beautiful natural feature, not a managed attraction. Water can be swift and rocks may be hidden—enjoy it only from safe footing in suitable conditions, and never dive.
Getting here
Follow Highway 4 to Bear Valley, then drive the village road to the chalet. Full address and turn-by-turn details arrive with your stay confirmation.
Village roads close to cars. Park near Bear Valley Lodge, then continue about one mile by arranged snowmobile taxi, ski, sled or on foot.
House rules
These essentials apply to every stay. Your booking platform and pre-arrival guide contain the complete rental terms and seasonal instructions.
No outdoor fires or guest-provided fire devices are permitted anywhere on the property—including Solo Stoves and wood-, charcoal-, propane- or gas-fueled fire pits or fire tables. This owner rule applies regardless of permits or seasonal government restrictions. The host-provided pellet grill may be used only for cooking, according to its instructions and any current fire restrictions.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted. Keep gatherings within the registered guest count and respect our quiet mountain neighborhood.
There is no lifeguard. Guests may not use privately stored boats or boards. Dogs are not allowed on the community beach or in Bear Lake.
The open loft uses a vertical ladder and is unsuitable for guests with mobility limitations. Children require active adult supervision.
When village roads close, the final mile is car-free. Every guest must be able to manage the confirmed snowmobile taxi, ski, sled or walking plan.
Book your stay
Send a no-obligation inquiry. We'll confirm availability, winter logistics and an itemized total before you decide.
No payment is taken with this form, and a quote is not a reservation. Your stay is confirmed after the rental agreement and required payment are complete.
Good to know
Usually from late spring through fall. Once village roads close for snow, cars stay near the lodge and the final mile is car-free.
Bear Lake is a community reservoir shared by the village. It is non-motorized, has no lifeguard and does not allow dogs on the beach or in the water.
Yes. The chalet has high-speed Starlink and backup power, though mountain weather can still affect any service.
No. Outdoor fires and guest-provided fire pits or fire tables—including Solo Stoves and wood-, charcoal-, propane- or gas-fueled devices—are not permitted anywhere on the property. The host-provided pellet grill is for cooking only and remains subject to current fire restrictions.
