Life is a mountain.: Hiking Big Pine Lakes to Sam Mack Meadow in High Sierra 8/2017

Second Lake and Temple Crag

August 27, 2017

Overview

Big Pine Lakes hike takes you to one of the most beautiful areas in eastern High Sierra. With jaw-dropping vistas of pristine glacier lakes and peaks of the Palisades in Sierra Nevada, this is a two thumbs up hike and popular destination for passionate Sierra hikers.

The route runs along North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The trail never gets monotonous as it keeps entertaining with a variety of terrains and dramatic scenery one after another....bridges, waterfalls, creek crossings, mountain peaks, forests, Lon Chaney cabin, alpine lakes, meadows and wildflowers. The trail is well marked and in good shape, ascending gradually from trailhead/7,800' to a series of lakes above 10,000'. After Third Lake, the trail comes to a junction splitting into two trails.....either hike to Fourth Lake or take Glacier Trail which ends at Sam Mack Meadow/11,100' with an option to head further up to the Palisade Glacier.

My plan was to hike up to the first three lakes and continue on to Sam Mack Meadow as I started late/1pm after driving 6.5hrs to get to trailhead. Although I left an option in mind to hike further up to the Palisade glacier if time allowed, time ran out when I reached Sam Mack after 5pm. And yet, the journey was entirely worth the effort and exceeded my expectation with absolutely gorgeous views all along even though it was a strenuous day hike of 8 miles one way/3,300' gain.

My advice for this amazing hike is to start early or overnight (permit required) so that you'll have adequate time to explore and enjoy leisurely instead of a grueling march. Also, bring enough water or filter to stay hydrated as the trail is exposed after the tree line and the journey can be rather long depending on how far you want to go.

First, Second and Third Lake

The trail gradually ascends from trailhead and travels along Big Pine Creek. From the beginning, this hike provides stunning views all along the trail near and far. Take time and enjoy the views as you go. After the first bridge, the trail climbs steeply for a short distance. At the trail sign, take North Fork Big Pine. Crossing the second bridge and through the treeline, the view opens up into Big Pine Basin with Mt. Alice rising majestic. The trail continues to climb in long switchbacks on the hillside and passes by a waterfall. The view from the waterfall down toward the basin is spectacular. Trekking 4.5 miles from trailhead, you come to First Lake/9,960'. Take in the first view of the stunning color of the glacier lake. As you continue on the trail for another mile, Second Lake/10,059' comes in sight. It's a wow moment as you overlook the stunningly beautiful color of the lake with Temple Crag towering on the other side. It's quite dramatic and sensational. Feed your soul.

Lon Chaney Cabin

Lon Chaney was one of the famous actors of early Hollywood. He starred in The Hunchback of Norte Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. He was also known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" for his extraordinary talent of makeup techniques. Interestingly, Lon Chaney had a cabin built in the pristine wilderness in High Sierra which still exists today. The cabin is located right by the trail in 3.5 miles from trailhead.

Glacier trail to Sam Mack Meadow

After Third Lake, the trail splits into two ways; one continues on to Fourth Lake and the other is Glacier Trail. Glacier trail travels through a lush alpine meadow with a creek and wildflowers. After the meadow, the trail climbs steeply in switchbacks, partially rocky, and then into Sam Mack Meadow above 11,000'. Sam Mack Meadow is beautiful with a wide stream running through it and wildflowers are blooming. The meadow is surrounded by walls of mountain ridges. From the meadow, the tips of the Palisade peaks are visible. Sam Mack Meadow reminds me of "Shangri-La" in James Hilton's LOST HORIZON....a paradise valley hidden deep within the high mountains of the Himalayas.