Backpacking Big Pine Lakes To Palisade Glacier
I wrote a post a while ago where I claimed you could not find a bad trail in the Sierra Mountain range, it is impossible, and to this day I swear by that statement. See post here. However, if you are looking for the king of Sierra trails look no further than Big Pine Lakes.
Even though this area is chalked full of screensaver type landscapes, and turquoise lakes, there are some trails in the Sierras that are better than others. As a California resident, I am fortunate enough to live so close to such a fantastic place. This makes it easy for me to wander amuck and explore this area regularly. However, I know that some of you may not live close to the Sierras, and because of time constraints and logistics, you might only get to do 1 to 2 backpacking trips per year. Because of that, you want to experience the best a particular area has to offer. If that is the case, I highly recommend The Big Pine Lakes trail. With its pristine lakes, an uninterrupted view of Temple Crag, and multiple trail variations, this is one of the premier spots in the Sierras.
Quick facts about the Big Pine Lakes Trail
Distance From 7 to 15 miles
Trail Elevation Gain 3400 feet
Highlights Temple Crag, Glaciers, turquoise lakes. camping spots that look like movie locations
Permits: Yes. They are free but you will need to stop at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center at US-395 & CA-136, Lone Pine, CA 93545 to get one
Best Time To visit August through October. ( This is a personal preference as Dec through March there is still lots of snow on the ground and you are doing a lot of “post-holing”. April through June are warm months but mosquitos can be thick and many of the lakes are still frozen. Early fall it is still warm, practically bug-free, and the lakes are mostly unthawed)
The Trail
The Big Pine Lakes trail is located in the Inyo National Forest outside the town of Big Pine. The trail has several different variations to it and can be as short as 7 miles and over 14 miles if you add side trips as I did to the Palisade Glacier. This trail can be done as a day hike, but you are going to want to relish this one, so I recommend you plan for an overnight stay if you really want to relax and enjoy this place.
Starting out from the trailhead, you will begin your hike with a gradual but steep incline of about 4 miles. About halfway into that 4 miles, you will reach LON CHANEY’S CABIN. Lon Chaney was the actor who starred in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” and for millions of moviegoers in the 1910s and 1920s was the personification of humanity within horror. Nonetheless, it is a cute cabin tucked away in the landscape, and worthy of some photos.
Lon Chaney’s Cabin
One thing to note is that all Sierra trails this time of year have abundant water sources, so there is no need to pack extra water just bring along your water purifier system and have at it.
Around the 4 mile mark, there is a fork in the road, giving you a few options. Going right takes you to Black Lake, Summit Lake, Fouth Lake and to the left takes you to First lake, second lake, third lake, and Fifth Lake. It’s one big loop so, in theory, it doesn’t matter which direction you pick. Below is a trail snapshot for reference.
Big Bine Lakes Trail Map
I chose the left side this time around as I had my eyes on securing one of the best camping spots I had ever been to, second lake. I was afraid I would miss out on this spot, so I got there early as I could. When I realized I was the first one there, I laid claim to the land like a mid-century explorer. Seriously look at this spot with the view of Temple Crag. Hard to beat this site.
After securing my spot and setting up camp, I decided to backtrack towards Black, Summit, and Fourth Lakes and make the loop counterclockwise before heading to the Palisade Glacier. This place will cost you about 5 SD cards as you will find it hard to walk more than a few feet without taking a picture. Nature at its finest
Summit Lake
Black Lake
Fifth Lake
After spending a few hours leisurely hiking and taking pictures, I was ready to make my way to the Palisade Glacier. Once you pass the fifth and fourth lakes and start heading east right before you get to the third lake, you will reach a turnoff junction that leads to Palisade glacier. It will add another mile up and a mile back to your trip, but it is so worth it. Take note that the trail to Palisade glacier is rugged, it’s a long 2 miles.
Map reference below
After the rugged hike, you will have arrived at your destination. The Palisade Glacier
I took a moment to relax next to the glacier and have a snack before heading back to camp and then heading out the next morning. I attached some more photos of the trip below to inspire you to put this hike on your bucket list. This area is filled with endless beauty and displays nature at its finest. The Big Pine Trail is well maintained, and if you take your time, any moderately fit individual can complete the trail. Be sure to tag along your loved one and gaze up at the illuminating stars at night and enjoy the glass-like reflection of the lakes.
BONUS: Additional Resources
What to pack on your adventure: My complete checklist and recommendations on what to take on your hike
Gear: A list of my favorite hiking and backpacking gear.
Check maps and weather for Big Pine Lakes at AllTrails.com
