California · May 2016
Hike Summary
Distance:
10.5 miles out and back
Total Elevation Gain:
3,000 ft
Starting Elevation:
7,800 ft
Highest Point:
10,150 ft
Hike Time:
6 to 8 hrs
Difficulty:
Difficult
Seasons:
May to October
Dogs:
Allowed on Leash
Some of the greatest mountain lakes in California are located in the Eastern Sierras.
Because of their high elevation and isolation from trailheads, many of these places are reachable only by backcountry hiking for multiple days.
Fortunately, there are some good options for shorter hikes if you are camping or staying along US-Highway 395.
The North Fork of Big Pine Creek is often cited as having the most beautiful scenery reachable in a single day.
For this Memorial Day weekend, I completed a day hike to First and Second Lakes, and it was the best and hardest hike I have done in California to date.
The hike starts at the service gate next to the Glacier Lodge and continues alongside the North Fork of Big Pine Creek.
There is another trailhead that you pass further back on Glacier Lodge Road, but it adds significantly more exposure and length to your overall trip.
Shortly after passing the cabins, you will cross a wooden bridge across a small waterfall, and not long afterwards, there is a signed split to either the South or North Fork.
For the shortest route, you can take the North Fork route.
On the way up, I missed this sign post and ended up continuing towards the valley of the South Fork, but in hindsight, this was a fortunate mistake.
With my pack weight at its heaviest, taking the shortcut up the switchbacks of the proper route might have been demoralizing.
The South Fork route meets up with a trail back to the North Fork a short distance later, and it is much easier on the legs and the eyes.
As a bonus, it also has awesome views of the valley and the Palisades Range beyond.
The two trails rejoin, and another wooden bridge crosses the North Fork of Big Pine Creek again.
For most of the rest of the way, you will remain on the north side of the creek as you round the valley with views of Mt. Alice to the south.
As you get closer to Second Falls, the trail hits an unsigned split.
To proceed, turn right towards the high trail away from the waterfall, and in about 100 yards, there is a signed switchback on the left towards the continuation of the North Fork trail.
Walking another 1/3 mile, you will reach a series of switchbacks along the creek above Second Falls.
The section of the hike from above Second Falls to the US Forest Service cabin is relatively flat and shady.
About one mile southwest of the cabin, you will get your first views of Temple Crag looming high above the trees.
Your destination is close, and you will cross the North Fork of Big Pine Creek a few times as you make your way up above First Lake.
The highest point of the hike is directly west of First Lake, and this is also where you can get the best views of it.
There is a subtle split in the trail next to First Lake, and the more obvious path to the right takes you onward to Third Lake and beyond.
To reach Second Lake, you need to take the smaller path on the left.
You will cross a small metal foot bridge next to a dam, then scramble past some boulders to arrive at a wide, level area on the northeast bank of Second Lake.
In the late spring and early summer, the lakes are a transparent emerald color—they do not turn a milky turquoise color until later in the year, when most of the ice on the nearby slopes has melted.
There are at least nine named lakes in the immediate area—First to Seventh Lakes, then Summit Lake and Black Lake.
Seeing all of these places would double the length of your trip and require camping in the area, but I can see how this could be worth considering someday.
Directions
Take US-Highway 395 toward Big Pine and head west on West Crocker Road. This becomes Glacier Lodge Road, and follow it to the end gate next to the cabins.
1
Trailhead: 37.12552, -118.43704
2
South Fork to North Fork: 37.12094, -118.44421
3
North Fork Trail: 37.13445, -118.4507
4
Cabin: 37.13555, -118.46575
5
Trail to Second Lake: 37.12642, -118.4862
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