Family Trekking at Tamarack: Bear Valley, California

The Trip

Join other families as we explore Bear Valley and the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway. At 7,000 feet elevation, we're only a short drive away from a variety of trailheads with spectacular volcanic and granite outcroppings. The trip features a combination of activities. We'll dedicate a day to kayaking on Lake Alpine with additional days hiking and touring the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to the largest grove of giant sequoias north of Yosemite. The trip includes basic flat-water kayaking, instruction, and equipment rentals. Touring kayak rental and basic instruction are included in the trip price. No kayaking experience is necessary.

One day will be an “optional activities” day when you and your family or small group can choose an excursion on your own to “do your own thing” or hike with the leaders. Within a one- or two-hour drive from the lodge are opportunities for you to white-water raft, mountain bike, or take limestone cavern tours, as well as enjoy historic state parks, gold rush towns, logging museums, etc. (Activities during the optional day are not included in the trip price.)

While daytime activities will vary, nights will be spent in the comfortable, family-owned Tamarack Lodge where we’ll enjoy home-cooked meals, camaraderie, and group activities.

Our days will typically start with us making a picnic lunch followed by eating breakfast. We will drive (10 to 30 minutes) to the trailheads in the area of Bear Valley, Lake Alpine, and Ebbetts Pass or to lower elevations as weather dictates. Evenings will bring us back to the lodge, where we may relax before cooking a hot meal. Following the meal, we will continue our outdoor experience around a campfire (when permitted), where we can talk about conservation issues or whatever comes to mind! This is a great chance to share stories of the day's adventures. On one evening we plan to have a guest speaker from the Forest Service. A typical week is as follows:

Day 1: Meet at the lodge for orientation and introductions

Day 2: Kayak on a nearby lake

Day 3: Tour and hike Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Day 4: Optional activities day

Day 5: Hike a portion of the PCT

Day 6: Trip ends after breakfast

Please keep in mind that all activities are weather dependent. Occasionally, trails will be closed and alternate routes must be used.

Getting There

The lodge is located two miles west of Bear Valley Village in the small hamlet of Tamarack (population: 9) and 22 miles east of Arnold on Highway 4.  It is located in the Stanislaus National Forest on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. It is geographically halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park at an elevation of 7,000 feet.  The nearest small airport is in Stockton (approximately 120 miles). For those who fly into San Francisco or San Jose, the drive is approximately 180 miles.  Another option is to fly into Reno, NV, which is also located about 120 miles from Tamarack.  Getting to the lodge is the responsibility of each family.  Detailed instructions about travel to Bear Valley will be provided in pre-trip communication with the leader.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

The rooms at Tamarack Lodge are very comfortable, with male and female shared baths down the hall. Single rooms sleep one to four people and feature log-style beds. A large common room with fireplace and reading library offers guests plenty of space to relax after a day of good exercise. The common room is open all day for anyone who chooses not to hit the trails. Hot drinks and snacks are available throughout the day.

Our first group meal will be dinner on the evening of Sunday, June 26 and the last group meal will be lunch on Friday, July 1. Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs must discuss food restrictions with the leader before being approved for the trip. 

During this time of year, days are generally warm and pleasant (mid 60s to mid 70s) and nights are cool (30s to mid 40s).  More information will be available from the leader as the trip date nears.

Trip Difficulty

This lodge-based family trip offers daytime activities that vary, with nights spent in a comfortable lodge for sleeping and eating (morning and evening meals). Our lunches will be eaten on the trail. All hikes are optional and the lodge will be open during the day for those who do not wish to participate in the day's group activities.

Day hikes will be moderately paced, ranging from three to eight miles in length. The hikes will range from 5,000 feet to 8,000 feet in altitude and may include hikes in the Stanislaus National Forest, Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. Terrain will vary, from paved roads to rough trails, with some possibility of snow. Depending on weather, we may hike at a lower elevation. To enjoy the trip, you owe it to yourself (as well as the group) to get into the best possible physical condition. Remember, you will be hiking at altitude. 

Equipment and Clothing

Kayak equipment is provided. Other requirements are typical day hiking equipment and clothing. The leader will send out a detailed equipment list to all registered participants.

References

U.S.G.S. Maps 7.5-minute quadrangle maps: "Tamarack," "Pacific Valley," "Spicer Meadow," and "Ebbetts Pass." As a reference guide we will use Natural History of the Sierra Nevada, by Storer and Usinger.

Conservation

We plan to have a guest speaker or local Sierra Club member talk with us about local conservation issues. The effects of California’s drought and the resulting impacts from recent forest fires near the area will also be explored.  A Leave No Trace ethics discussion takes place early in the trip and the principles are practiced during our trip.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Stanislaus National Forest.