![]() Given the higher elevation, you will get some sun damage if you aren’t protected. Sun protection is super important out in Big Pine Lake, even if it is not super sunny out. Big Pine Lake is generally a pretty well-maintained trail, so I would go with a sneaker-type shoe here. If I want more stability for my ankles, I will go with Salomon. The Hoka One Ones feel more like a sneaker so they are more lightweight. Whether you like lighter shoes like I do or a sturdier hiking boot, Hoka One One and Salomon are my go-to shoes. Having the right shoes is super important. Hike Big Pine Lakes WHAT TO PACK for Big Pine Lakes Hiking Boots / Shoes We only spent 2 hours going back down (vs. I thought the second lake was a bit more dramatic, so we took a quick snack break at Lake #1 and then went over to the 2nd for proper chill time.Īfter enjoying the scenery, the turnaround was quick. The second lake is almost next door to Lake #1. There is a good viewpoint if you take the first left out onto a ledge. This means you’re getting close to the first lake! Keep hiking up the switchbacks for another 1.5 miles and you’ll soon see the first lake. It’s another mile or so before you hit the John Muir Wilderness sign.Ībout 2.5 miles after you started your hike, you’ll see a cabin. Make a right here (it’s also written on the wooden post). Less than 1 mile in, you’ll hit a wooden post on the ground and a flat dirt road perpendicular to the trail you came on. Take North Fork. From there you start your switchbacks. A few minutes in, you will hit the junction for North Fork and South Fork. The hike starts near these cabins by the Big Pine Campground (but outside of the campground). The signs for North Fork are well-marked and easy to follow so you shouldn’t need to prep too much beforehand for the hike. But for me the altitude was a little tough because we were at sea level in the AM, and 10,000 ft by 4PM! I know I’m not the best with high altitudes (SBN never has any issues) so I took the ascent nice and slow. The trails itself is not very hard – there are many switchbacks that make the incline gradual. The entire hike was a little over 9 miles, about 4.5 miles each way. BIG PINE LAKE hike DETAILSįor this hike, we chose the North Fork Trail to go to Lakes #1-2. Of course, it’s still hike-able in the winter, but you will reach completely different conditions and will likely need snowshoes, crampons, etc. After all, Mammoth Ski Resort is not too far away. The weather is generally a lot better, with temperatures warming up to 70 degrees in April.ĭuring the winter, it gets extremely cold up in the Bishop area. The best time to hike Big Pine Lakes is from April to October. Trailhead: Park at the Big Pine Lakes Campground and then head outside, turn left (away from going downhill) When to Hike Big Pine Lakes The Sierras are always in the background and add to the dramatic landscape of the Big Pines Lake area. But you can see from the photos that the views were still gorgeous. Unfortunately, when we went, it was cloudy. On a sunny day, the water color is absolutely stunning turquoise. It is one of the most famous hikes in the area because of its spectacular views and accessibility. If you are heading to the Bishop and Eastern Sierras area, you have probably heard of Big Pine Lakes. ![]() Big Pine Lakes is a famous area near Big Pine, CA about 1 hour south of Bishop – and for good reason! The trail brings you to multiple jaw-dropping alpine lakes and because it’s a there-and-back trail, you can turn around whenever you feel like it.
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