North Fork Big Pine Lakes Hike

Introduction:

What? :

This strenuous 15.5 miles long hike with 4,250 ft of elevation gain will take you into some of the best mountain and lake views in the Sierra.

Along the upper section of North Fork Trail you will visit seven gorgeous alpine Big Pine Lakes. The large lake basin is surrounded by many tall ragged mountain peaks including Temple Crag, Two Eagle Peak and Cloudripper.

Many are doing this long hike as a multi-day backpacking trip (permit needed) but I did it as a long out-and-back and semi-loop day hike.

It took me 8.5 hours to complete.

Tip: Second and Third Lakes are the most iconic and photographed lakes.

Where? :

Located at the end of Glacier Lodge Road in the John Muir Wilderness.

From the small town of Big Pine (highway 395) take Crocker Ave. west which becomes Glacier Lodge Road for 10.6 miles into the mountains.

Google Map Link

The road climbs gently following Big Pine Creek into the mountain.

Pass Big Pine Creek Campground and you will reach the small day use parking lot at the end of the road (gate into private property). The turn to the left entered a private campground and Glacier Lodge.

This is a small parking lot designated for day use hikers, try to come as early as you can, if all is full try to find down the road side parking or park at the multi day parking.

The multi-day parking lot for backpackers is located 0.6 miles down the road.

When? :

During the winter months (Oct-May) all the high elevation area is covered with deep snow.

I do not know if the road leading up is open.

I hiked here in mid June 2025 and the weather was great.

The recommended time to hike here is June to early October up to the first season snow storm.

Even with the high elevation Summer month can be hot so take enough water with you.

During the summer month thunder storms are common in afternoons. Try not to be in a high exposed location during nearby linings.

Due note 1:

Water from creeks, lakes and springs should be treated before drinking.

Due note 2:

Most of the trail is exposed to the sun. Bring a hat, sunglasses and use sun protection.

Even during the warm summer months, come prepared for changing weather and have warm clothes with you.

Depending on the season mainly during early summer mosquitoes might be a problem, bring a face net and repellent.

No cell reception in the TH or the hike, offload your trail map in advance.

Due note 3:

Restrooms are available at the trailhead.

Due note 4:

There is a large campground near the Trailhead. The place is very popular so mid-week is preferred. All sites can be reserved, and very often, they may fill up months in advance.

Due note 5:

Day use does not require a permit or pay any fee.

Due note 6:

The trail is located in the John Muir Wilderness so follow wilderness regulations.

Due note 8:

Dogs are allowed in the John Muir Wilderness.

Due note 9:

I did a day hike loop trail but most hikers come, stay overnight and explore the upper lakes section the following day without the heavy backpack.

Due note 10:

I hiked all the way to the Sixth Lake area but you can also hike to the lower elevation lakes, up to Second and Third Lakes if this is too long for your abilities.

Wilderness overnight backpacking Tips:

A permit is required to stay overnight in the wilderness.

This is a popular backpacking destination so plan ahead, permits may run out for your time of visit.

Once you make it to the lakes area you will find many campsites with breathtaking views. Many hikers try to get a spot at Third Lake with the impressive view of the famous Temple Crag so come early to this location if you want to find a prime camping location.

No campfires, Food, trash and scented items must be stored in bear proof containers.

My thoughts:

This long and strenuous hike will reward you with one of the most beautiful high Sierra alpine lakes views.

The turquoise blue water color nested below impressive exposed granite cliffs and mountain peaks.

I hiked here as a day-hike but if you can get a permit for overnight stay I will go for it.

This is probably the most popular hike in this area of the eastern Sierra, many hikers and backpackers along the lakes, as you hike to Fifth Lake and above it is a lot less crowded.

The Hike:

You’ll start your hike by getting on the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trailhead (at 7,700 feet elevation) near Big Pine Creek Campground.

Start your hike by following the trail heading down near the river (do not walk into the private property area).

After a quarter of a mile there is a bridge crossing the north fork river.

Soon you will get into the intersection for the South Fork Trail, which leads to the left.

You will keep hiking right, straight up the creek with a series of short switchbacks.

After the short climb to the trail level and meet an old forest road, turn right.

You will cross the bridge to the north side of the creek.

Here you have 2 hiking options:

1. Turn left and hike near the forest at the creek level, after about 0.6 mile the trail climb to the right and connect to trail #2

2. Take the trail straight and climb up and then follow the creek from a higher elevation.

It is not so critically important which trail you will take but I do recommend taking option #2. It provides a much nicer view of the creek and the canyon opening and it has more graduate climb.

Both trails connect at 1.3 miles from the trailhead.

Now the trail climbs in the direction of the narrow creek section. You will gain height, stop and look back on the lower section of Big Pine canyon, after a few switchbacks you will get into a forested area near the creek.

At 2.4 miles from TH you will see on the left side of the trail a large well maintained wooden cabin near the river, Lon Chaney Cabin.

Lon Chaney Cabin was constructed in 1930 as a private retreat for the early 20th-century actor Lon Chaney, currently the rustic-style cabin is closed to the public and being used as a ranger station.

You will keep following the creek up (few waterfalls along this section) and you start getting views of the impressive cliffs of Temple Crag in front of you.

After 4.1 miles from the trailhead you will reach a clear trail junction.

Here you have 2 options:

1. Keep hiking up to the first lake.

2. Turn right and climb up to Black Lake.

I decided to take it to the right, in the direction of Black Lake.

I hiked here as a day hike so I will climb up all the way to the last lake and from there hike down through the lake series trail.

Most hikers that also stay for the night will turn left here, climb over lake First and Second and park for the night around Third Lake.

I find that the climb along Third lake is challenging.

Description of my hike turning right:

After additional climb and 5.5 miles from the TH you will reach Black Lake (elevation 10,700 ft).

This is probably a good place to get some rest.

From here the trail climbs the hill to the left and descends in the direction of Forth Lake.

Just before Forth Lake you will pass a nice pond that provides reflection pictures.

The trail I took circled the lake on its right side (north), you will find at the north lake section a few nice up-level points of lake views.

Keep hiking and you will connect back to the “main” lake trail, this will be 6.5 miles from the TH.

I turned to the right and kept hiking up in the direction of Sixth Lake.

I did not hike to the summit lake to the left.

The trail climbs gently and crosses a few shallow meadow balls and soon after you will hike the steep descent into Sixth Lake basin.

Here the trail starts to fade until it reaches a great location for a night camp, protected underneath the tall pine trees.

From here there is no more official trail.

The problem is that this location is far from the lake shore and does not have a view.

I walked to the meadows to the west and found a semi-dry path to the creek below heading down to the lake.

From this point you have a great view of Sixth Lake valley and the impressive Mount Robinson in the background.

I did not hike to Seventh lake, there is no officially maintained trail here, it was a long hike already and the entire meadow leading up was flooded.

I explored this area and after a short time I started my hike back down.

After reaching the trail junction near Forth Lake, keep heading straight.

After a short hike you will reach another trail junction, heading straight to Fifth Lakes, turning to the left near the Forth Lake.

I planned to visit Fifth Lake but took the trail to the right.

After Forth Lake the trail descends through the forest to the direction of Third Lake. Here, just before the steep descent down to Third Lake there are few off-trail exposed rocks that provide an amazing view of the lake below and the mountain on the other side.

Look for the rock, approach the cliff carefully and enjoy the impressive view of Third Lake with his turquoise blue water color.

From the high viewpoint the trail descends steeply with a series of switchbacks to the lake below.

The trail does not reach all the way to the lake level but it stays above it.

There are several campsites along this trail section and there are many photography opportunities along the lake path including the path to the lake shore below.