Everything You Need to Know About Big Pine
If you’re looking for an incredible weekend getaway only about 4 hours from Los Angeles, look no further. This hidden gem, nestled in the Sierra Nevada’s in Inyo National Forest, is filled with alpine lakes, glaciers, granite mountains, and makes you legit feel like you’re in Banff, Canada. The alpine lakes are so beautifully turquoise you won’t be able to stop looking.
DETAILS
Where: Inyo National Forest; John Muir Wilderness
Distance: 13 mile loop to 2nd lake
Elevation: ~3000ft. elevation gain; 10,200 elevation at 2nd lake
Time of Year: March- October
Permit: Yes (Overnight only)
PERMIT
Okay so here’s where you actually have to plan in advance (unless you’re day hiking in which case you do NOT need a permit). There are only 25 permits available per day. Of those 25 permits, 15 are released 6 months in advance on the Inyo National Forest wilderness permit website and the other 10 are available as walk-ups. Of course, I didn’t plan in advance and had to get lucky with a walk-up. Since I went during COVID, the walk-up permits were available online on Monday the week before I went. In a normal, non-COVID year, the walk-up permits are available at one of the ranger stations at 8am the morning you plan to start. Get there early if you want to get one! The permit you want is JM23 Big Pine Upper North Fork Trail.
GEAR
Check out my weekend backpacking trip gear list post for a detailed list on what to bring. Here are some extra details:
Bear canisters are required
Bring a water filter – there are no water fountains but plenty of lakes to filter from
Bug spray for summer nights
Warm clothes for the evening – it gets chilly at the high altitude!
LOTS of sunscreen for the exposed trail
Towel and bathing suit if you plan to swim in the lakes
WHERE & PARKING
Big Pine Lakes in located in the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest. It is located about 4 hours from Los Angeles and about 6 hours from San Francisco. Parking (day and overnights) is located at Big Pine Creek Overnight Camping Lot. The lot fills up quick so make sure to arrive early and remove all food or scented items from your car before leaving it.
TRAIL
The trail begins at the overnight parking lot and is very well marked. Right away, you’ll start climbing many switchbacks with very little shade. It’s HOT and steep so try to start as early as possible. You’ll also start to notice the altitude kicking your ass if you came from sea level. Be prepared. At about 2 miles, you’ll reach the top of the waterfall. This is a great place for a break as its shaded and cooler. The trail follows along the creek and levels off into a pine-filled forest.
As you keep going, you’ll reach more switchbacks with little shade but begin to see Temple Crag in the background. At the 5 mile mark, you will make it to lake 1. Take in the stunning turquoise alpine lake then keep continue about 0.5 miles to lake 2. Lake 2 is a jaw dropping, blow you away, am I dreaming kind of lake. Bright blue water in front of temple crag. We decided to camp here. Make sure to explore around the lake before choosing a campsite…there are plenty of amazing spots. We got lucky and found a spot overlooking the lake from a high vantage point. Set up camp then explore more! We ventured all the way around lake 2 and watched the sunset from the other end.
The plan was to wake up and explore the other lakes and the glacier (southernmost glacier in North America) but we ended up having to cut our trip a little short. If you’re looking to see the glacier, there’s a trail from lake 2 that takes you directly there – 8 miles with 2500ft elevation gain. You’ll see a sign right away with 2 directions, take the one that doesn’t say lakes 3-7. You’ll pass through a meadow that leads you to the glacier. If you want to see lakes 3-7, take the other trail.
This is an incredible gem of California and one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. Shoot me a comment with any questions and definitely let me know how it goes after checking it out!