The Big Pine Creek North Fork Hiking Trail rises into California's High Sierra toward the southernmost glaciers in the United States. Palisade glacier sits above a series of lakes, named First Lake through Seventh Lake, where you'll find some of the best trout fishing in the Sierra Nevada. Also, here in the John Muir Wilderness there are several peaks exceeding 14,000-feet along the Palisade Crest, part of the Great Western Divide. Here you'll find the 14,153-foot Mount Sill and Temple Crag, which is home to some of the tallest rock climbs in the entire Sierra Nevada Range.
The beautiful rustic cabin along Big Pine Creek North Fork Hiking Trail that is now a Forest Service cabin was once a summer home of one of Hollywood's most famous character actors, Lon Chaney, Sr. The cabin is also significant because it was designed by Paul Revere Williams, the first African American that was granted a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects. The porch makes for a nice, quiet spot for lunch, and the access to Big Pine Creek North Fork makes it a good place to fill up on water before continuing your hike.
by Kat Dierickx
Updates, Tips + Comments
06.18.16
Great trail, though make sure to account for elevation and the fact that the first part of the hike is not very well
11.10.17
**MILEAGE/ELEVATION INFORMATION FROM USFS MAP**
Distances computed from Hiker Parking:
Hiker Parking Area: Mi- 0.0 El-7,750
Glacier Lodge: Mi-0.0 El-7,800
Cienega Mirth: Mi-3.0 El-9,200
First Lake: Mi-4.5 El-9,900
Second Lake: Mi- 4.8 El-10,000
Third Lake: Mi-5.5 El-10,400
Fourth Lake: Mi-6.5 El-10,750
Sixth Lake: Mi-8.0 El-11,100
Palisade Glacier: Mi-9.0 El-12,400
------------------------------------------------------------------
We completed this trip Nov 9-11th 2017. The daytime temps ranged from 65F-70F, nighttime 26F-28F and windy.
08.17.17
Start early in the day :-) and don't give up until you get to the glacier -- it's so worth it!
07.02.17
Incredible trail! As intermediate hikers, this strenuous hike was a good challenge for us.