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Big Pine Lakes Region
The Patagonia of California
About
Below a towering wall of granite with numerous peaks rising to over 14,000-feet elevation lies the southernmost glacier on the continent and the largest in the Sierra Nevada. A glacial staircase of lakes descends along the North Fork of Big Pine Creek through alpine forests, flowering meadows, and rocky outcrops. Massive rock buttresses raised and carved by the forces of nature punctuate the skyline; the turquoise blue lakes reflect their surroundings in the style of 19th century impressionists.
This is some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Some say it’s the Patagonia of California.
Numbered Lakes Trail
Getting up to the lakes’ region all starts with a hike. The first 1/4-mile of the trail is easy with less than 200‑feet of elevation gain, at which point you will be rewarded by a cascading waterfall spanned by a lovely wooden bridge. After that, it’s a moderate to strenuous hike and can become a long day if you’re not fully prepared.
The elevation climbs as relentlessly as your anticipation.
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Trailhead
Big Pine Creek Trailhead is a scenic 32-minute, 25.5-mile drive from Bishop.
Drive south on US-395 from Bishop for 15.1-miles. Turn right (west) onto Crocker Drive in Big Pine. The road becomes Glacier Lodge Rd.
Follow this winding, mountain road for 10.4-miles to its terminus at the Big Pine Creek Trailhead parking.
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First Falls
Hiking to First Falls along Big Pine Creek North Fork is an easy quarter-mile hike with less than 200‑feet of elevation gain.
A wide, sturdy wooden bridge crosses this impressive cascade among tall Jeffrey pines and quaking aspen. It’s a popular photo spot with all the elements for great people and nature pics—especially in fall.
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Second Falls
Hiking further to Second Falls adds 1.75‑miles and about 1,000‑feet more elevation gain, making this a wonderful late-spring, early‑summer 4-mile round trip.
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Lon Chaney Cabin
The silent film star, Lon Chaney, built this cabin in 1929 as a private rustic retreat. Today it is preserved as a historic site, with the exterior of the structure maintained by volunteers. It is currently used as a ranger station and the interior is closed to the public.
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Numbered Lakes
The Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the country. The trail is fondly called the numbered lakes trail for the seven lakes, named 1 st through 7 th , that lie scattered along the creek. More lakes fill the depressions in the cirques below the jagged crest above.
Palisade Glacier
The notable feature of this area is Palisade Glacier. It is the southernmost permanent glacier in the United States and the largest in the Sierra Nevada, it’s almost 1-mile long and ½-mile wide. It drops from a cirque it has cut below four 14,000-foot peaks (4267m) terminating in a proglacial lake that is turquoise blue from the glacial rock powder it has crushed into the frigid water.
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Palisade Glacier
When viewed from up close the characteristic features of a glacier are clear: it has a tall terminus where pieces calve into the proglacial lake formed by damming from its former moraine; it contains a moulin, a circular well-like shaft that carries meltwater into and below the glacier; and a bergschrund or crevasse where moving ice has separated from stagnant ice.
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Fourteeners
Palisade Glacier descends from four 14,000-foot peaks (fourteeners) into a cirque it has cut over thousands of years. Considering that only 15 fourteeners* exist in California (14 of them in the Sierra Nevada) these four fourteeners in close proximity, all acting on the formation of one glacier, is a unique set of geologic features.
*Only 12 of California’s fourteeners are considered ‘true’ fourteeners, based on the commonly used rule in mountaineering that peaks must have a 300-foot prominence to qualify. Of the 4 fourteeners that feed Palisade Glacier–North Palisade, Polemonium Peak, Middle Palisade, and Mt Sill–Polemonium Peak (although 14,080‑feet) does not have the required 300-foot prominence to be classified as a ‘true’ fourteener.
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Turquoise Lakes
The water in the proglacial lake at the bottom of the glacier and four lakes below (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Lakes) all have the distinctive turquoise hue of glacial meltwater. As glaciers carve their way down mountains cutting the rock to rubble and silt, the larger rubble sinks and remains behind where the ice melts to water while the finely ground silt floats and remains suspended. This ‘rock flour’ scatters the blue-green rays of sunlight giving glacial fed water its unique turquoise tint.
Hike. Fish. Run. Ride. Climb.
This area is peerless in its beauty, and ripe with opportunities for casting a line into the waters. Fishing is popular here and the lakes are home to these species: browns, brookies, rainbow, and golden; the latter are found only in Summit Lake. See the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s interactive fishing guide for this area here.
An iconic granite cathedral with flying buttresses known as Temple Crag is a premier rock climbing area in the Big Pine Lakes Region. Find routes, ratings, and descriptions here.
The trail and area are also popular for hiking, trail running, horseback riding, backpacking, and peak bagging. Day use is open to all without a permit, but overnighting anywhere in the wilderness requires a permit. A limited number of permits are available, with 60% of the quota being released up to 6‑months in advance and 40% available up to two weeks in advance of desired entry date. More information and reservations are available here.
Local Tip
Guided horse and mule pack trips into the High Sierra.
Explore this and other Eastern Sierra canyons with guided pack trips offered by professional outfitters. Riding gentle, sure-footed horses and mules enhances the experience, allowing you to relax and appreciate the stunning scenery. Enjoy the beauty of dense pine forests, open meadows, rushing creeks, and alpine lakes while your equine companion carries you through the wilderness. Pack stations provide a variety of options, from short picnic and scenic rides to multi-day backcountry excursions.
Visit Bishop
Planning is key. We have tons of great information on our website. Follow the links, study the maps, review the stories, and call us with any questions you may have. We have local experience and knowledgeable staff on hand to discuss your dreams, learn your goals, and help you create the best experience possible.
Remember that whenever you visit the Eastern Sierra be prepared. Climate in our region is marvelously unpredictable so bring layers of clothing, always carry plenty of water and extra food when trekking in our big backyard, and wear a hat and sunscreen most days of the year. Always tell someone where you are going, when you expect to be back, and follow up when your adventure is complete.