Osborne Ridge Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

This loop through the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness in Stanislaus and Humboldt-Taiyobe National Forest combines the Bear Valley to Alpine Lake Trail, the Emigrant Trail #19E01, and the Osborn Crest #18E41.

The trail is lightly traveled and fun for your dog. Mountain bikers also us the trail so keep stay alert.

The Lake Alpine Sno-Park is a good staging area for this hike with 20 parking spots and a restroom. Access the trail by heading up the Silvertip Campground road. Water is available next to the restroom 50 yards up the campground road.

The Osborne Ridge Trail sign is 50 yards further and here the dirt trail begins. Turn right onto the trail and head up the hill toward the large water tower. Your heart is beating strong as you ascend the first part of Osborne Ridge. Continue ascending through a grove of trees and you'll reach the highest point of the ridge.

For the next 0.25 miles on the ridge, you'll enjoy panoramic views. Looking west is Bloods Meadow and the town of Bear Valley. To the north is Bloods Ridge, the backside of Bear Valley Ski Resort. The trail passes beautiful spring flowers. A few giant sequoia trees can be found among the many pine trees.

The trail begins a descent into a shaded forest with occasional grassy meadows. At roughly 1.2 miles, turn right at the trail junction which heads west. Continue the gradual descent to another trail junction at 2.1 miles. If you turn west, you'll reach the town of Bear Valley, but you'll want to turn right to continue this hike.

It is a gradual ascent back to Silvertip Campground through many fir and pine trees along a shaded path. You know you are getting close to the finish when the trail reaches a steeper (but reasonable) pitch just outside the campground. The trail finishes just below the water tower. Turn left into the Silvertip Campground and head down the road to the Sno-Park parking lot.