Lake Alpine:  You can ski on highway 4 after the snow- park. The first part of the trail is down hill. Not bad. you will ski along Lake Alpine for about 1 mile. There can be a lot of snowmobiles on highway 4. If you turn right at the end of the lake you will lose the snowmobiles. You can go on to Duck lake or do the loop around the lake. The trail around the lake is somewhat hard to follow and is difficult on the back side of the lake. You will have to cross the river below the dam. This crossing is also hard to locate.

Here is a link to descriptions of Nordic Trials in the Lake Alpine area: U.S. Forest Service 

You will need to purchase a snow-park pass to park at the Lake Alpine and Spicer road snow-park areas. The passes cost $5.00 for one day and $25.00 for the season.

                                                           Bear Valley Cross Country

This area is large enough that you can ski alone even on a busy weekend. The trails vary from easy to advanced. After you have worked up a hunger take a break at the warming hut. The soup is usually chili (hot) and the beer is cold. When the down hill area is packed try cross country you will not be disappointed. b

Spicer

The Spicer road snow-park is about 4 miles west of Bear Valley. You would park you car at the snow-park. It is about 8 miles to Spicer reservoir on the road. The North Fork of the Stanislaus River is 4 miles. It is mostly down hill to the river. There are some nice views from the road. There are fewer snowmobiles on this road then on highway 4 along Lake Alpine.

Duck Lake

Try a cross country snowshoe trip to Duck Lake. You will be rid of the snow mobiles when you turn the corner at the east end of Lake Alpine. We ski until the trail gets to steep and then put on the snowshoes. The river otters usually are still at the lake. You may get to see them or their tracks.