Dale Matson
Click On Photographs To Enlarge
Hike Route
Our total mileage
was about 23 miles over 3 days with an altitude gain of about 3,000’. Our maximum
elevation was about 11,300’. Our camping elevation at Third Lake was about
10,200’. We acclimated the day before we started at the campground near glacier
lodge store. (You need reservations). We paid for parking two nights near there
and got great dinner sandwiches. You may not stay overnight in the parking area
near the trailhead.
This is our third trip to the North
Fork of Big Pine Creek. Our goal was to take in as many of the lakes as
possible with a two-night three-day hike. Actually, there was only one day of
hiking and two days of backpacking. We hiked the Glacial Trail off the Big Pine
Creek Trail last October and it was a unique experience for us.
We went with two younger friends
and their daughter. Needless to say, our pace a quite a bit slower. We even
left camp inbound the last morning 2 hours ahead of them and they still caught
us at the upper bridge.
The topographical map shows our
hike route. We did not make it to Black Lake but we did get to Lakes 1-6 with a
view of Lake 7 from above Lake 6. We also got to Summit Lake. Some equestrians we
met at the trail junction of Summit Lake and Lakes 6 and 7. They told us there
was a great view just off the trail before you descend to Lake 6. Thanks guys.
The mosquitoes were bad this year
but we were prepared. It was warm with no rain and few clouds. I have been in
lots of areas of the Sierra Nevada both hiking and backpacking and I would say
this area compares to Evolution Basin for stark beauty and it is more accessible.
However, wilderness site permits are a popular item for this area and I got 5
permits just past midnight the day they became available for mid-August.
I also want to mention my camera
gear. Since I had been in the area twice before, I knew what would be good lenses
to use with my Sony A7R3. I used the Sony 16-35mm 2.8 GM lens and the Sony 24mm
1.4 GM lens. The 24mm lens is the finest prime I have used with this camera. Photos
from above the lakes work best to capture the green water.
We may never see Black lake. This was
a difficult trip for us and we are getting too old (I hope to be 75 next month).
Maybe we will find an outfitter with
mules to bring in our gear next year. The video of this hike is here.
Big Pine Creek
No Luck Seeing SNBS
First Falls
Looking South Toward Middle Palisade And Clyde Peaks
Lon Chaney Cabin Now A Forest Service Cabin
Temple Crag From Third Lake
Fourth Lake
Two Eagle Peak With Cloud Ripper On Right
Fifth Lake
Mt. Galey Far Left Next To Mt. Sill
Friendly Equestrians
Sharon Resting By Trail Junction
Sign Post
Above Lake Six
Author
Excellent View Of 14ers And Palisade Glacier From Summit Lake
LtoR Galey, Sill, Polemonium, N. Palisade, Starlight, Thunderbolt above glacier
Temple Crag Above Second Lake
Temple Crag Above First Lake
Second Falls Center
Campsite Above Third Lake
Seventh Lake From Above Sixth Lake
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