20240928 Big Pine Lakes & Palisade Glacier Bag packing

The view are stunning and breathtaking lakes are the highlights. Challenges include steep sections and potential heat. Hope you enjoy this video.

This incredible backpacking trip offers some of the best views in the Sierra. Located in the John Muir Wilderness at the end of Glacier Lodge Road, the North Fork Trail leads up to the seven gorgeous Big Pine Lakes in addition to the rocky peak of Temple Crag. Those with the time and energy can also make the extra push to Palisade Glacier, which is visible throughout your climb.

You’ll start your trip by getting on the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail at the Big Pine Creek Campground. Along the North Fork Trail, you’ll pass several waterfalls, the Lon Chaney Cabin, and colorful displays of wildflowers. This route features plenty of elevation gain.

Once you make it to the lakes, you will find no shortage of campsites with breathtaking views. Many hikers try to get a spot with a view of the famous Temple Crag, a popular rock climbing destination. But with the seven Big Pine Lakes to choose from, in addition to Black Lake and Summit Lake, you cannot go wrong in choosing a place to set up camp for the night.

A permit is required to stay overnight in the back country. This is one of the more popular backpacking destinations in the area, and permits for this area are some of the first to sell out. More information on backpacking permits can be found here: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/23...

Palisades Glacier is one of the southernmost glaciers in North America, and it sits right around 12,4000 feet. It is accessed by a short but challenging trail that splits off from the Big Pine North Fork Trail. Getting there is an incredible accomplishment, but one that shouldn’t be taken lightly as you have to deal with elevation (over 12,000 feet), class 3 scrambling to the ridge, and just overall distance.