Hiking The North Fork Of The Big Pine Creek Trail To The Palisade Glacier

Hiking The North Fork Of The Big Pine Creek Trail To The Palisade Glacier

Dale Matson

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The trailhead for this hike is off Glacier Lodge Road out of Big Pine CA. Overnight parking is available near the store at the end of the road for a small fee or you can park off Glacier Lodge Road in the backpacker’s lot. This is a 21-mile round trip hike with about 4,500’ of gain outbound.

We drove from Fresno through Yosemite and arrived at the White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop CA for our “walk in” wilderness permit. We opted for two nights at Third Lake. This is a popular trail for day hikers, back packers and alpinists. We then drove west to the end of Glacier Lodge Road (Crocker St. in Big Pine) and parked near the store. We paid our fee for two nights and filled out emergency information.

We had stayed overnight at Second Lake a few years ago and enjoyed hiking along 5 of the green glacial lakes but our goal was more ambitious this year with a plan to hike to a view of the Palisade Glacier which is the largest Glacier in the Sierra Nevada. The glacier is located in a cirque below several 14’ers including Mount Sill, Thunderbolt Peak, North Palisade, Polemonium Peak.

What is somewhat misleading is the fact that the hike from Third Lake is only about 3 miles one way but the “Glacial Trail” ends about a half mile before the end of the climb to the view. The last half mile weaves through a boulder field marked with occasional cairns to guide the way. Additionally, it had snowed the previous week and we had snow and ice to contend with on the trail and through the boulders. At one point we had to use the tips of our trekking poles to break the ice off areas where we had to step on to climb up. The boulder part was slow and difficult for us up and down. Our last rest stop, I looked at my GPS and said to Sharon, “Only another 100’ of climb”. It took us about 9 hours for the six miles round trip.

We headed back down after about a half hour on top because the wind had picked up considerably and clouds began to roll in. We “rushed” back to our camp at Third Lake and arrived about 6pm. It was a slow hike out the following day and a very long drive back to Fresno. We could not have done it without two drivers.

Was this worth all this effort for this 74-year-old man and his bride? Yes, I think of all the views I have seen in the Sierra this may be the most awe inspiring and beautiful yet. In addition to the typical view of Lakes One through Three from above, Lake Four, Lake Five, Black Lake and Summit Lake can also be seen. White Mountain Peak can also be seen far to the Northeast.

Most of my photographs were taken with my Sony A7R3 and 16-35mm GM 2.8 lens. I also used my Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8 lens and Sony RX1R2 for backup shots. It is a lot of gear but I think the views warranted it.

 First Falls

 Middle Palisade and Clyde Glaciers Down South Fork

 Lon Cheny Cabin

 First Lake

 Second Lake

 Campsite At Third lake

 Temple Crag At Third lake

Mt. Robinson

 Frozen Waterfall

 Sam Mac Meadow

 Mount Sill Far Left

 Lakes One-Three

 Mount Gayley and Sill

 Fifth Lake

 Fourth Lake

 Sharon Sitting Looking At Next Cairn Above

 Mount Winchell left and Mount Agassiz Right

 White Mountain Peak Left Top

 North Palisade Left and Starlight Peak

 Sudden Clouds

 Temple Crag Above Lake Two

 Author

 Glacier Reflected In Glacier Lodge Pond

Our Highest Elevation

I have a YouTube video with video footage and additional graphics here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqWraMueO1k&feature=youtu.be  

Millerton Lake Shot Of The Day: Red Tailed Hawk

Millerton Lake Shot Of The Day: Red Tailed Hawk

Dale Matson

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The Millerton Lake rangers know my truck. I get my money out of the annual state park pass fee of over $100.00. In addition to our weekly swims 6 months out of the year, I am there with my camera prowling the Fresno and Madera County sides of the lake, looking for wildlife and landscape opportunities. You really can’t “sneak up” on a raptor since they can see you from over a mile away. Even 10 power binoculars only even things up. Last winter however, I was amazed that a juvenile bald eagle let me walk right under the tree he was perched in. I got some nice photos and when he flew away it was because a mature bald eagle had decided to take his place while I was under the tree, not because he was stressed by my presence.

Most of the time, I have my 100-400mm lens on my camera. If someone called me a “bird brain”, I wouldn’t be insulted since I have learned somewhat how to think like a bird. After a few years, I know where the raptors hang out and when they show up. About 10am in the morning, the updrafts along the cliffs will beckon the Goldens to that area where they will perch for most of the day, periodically soaring in lazy circles.

The morning is when raptors are most active and feeding. The majority of their day is spent roosting. I can generally depend on an area where there is a prominent tree, a ready food source and no distractions. They can also keep an eye out for competition. It is common for a mature eagle to steal the prey from a younger one or from an osprey. The resident eagles don’t pay much attention to the fishermen. They sit in the tree until the moment is right, launch toward the coots and circle them until they get the one they want. Once they have a coot, they will generally take it back to the tree and begin plucking it as their talons squeeze the life and blood out of the coot.

This is a good time for photos since an eagle does not want to be interrupted during a meal. It also does not want to go to the bother of carrying the prey to another location or to have it stolen along the way.

I have seen some resident Bald and Golden eagles lately but have not had my camera available at the time. I did run into this Red-Tailed Hawk this past week and was able to get a close up as I was driving by. It seems like often wildlife will allow you to get closer in your vehicle than if you tried walking up on them.

I used my Sony A7R3 and the 100-400mm GM lens with a 1.4X TC. The light was not optimal but the distance was.
I also got some video of an Egrets and Coots together.