Big Pine Lakes Backpacking Itinerary for a First 2-Night Trip
A good big pine lakes backpacking itinerary for beginners is a base camp: hike about 5 to 6 miles to the Second or Third Lake area on day 1, day hike the upper lakes on day 2, and hike out on day 3.
- Base camping for two nights beats moving camp, because you carry the full pack only twice and get a free day for the upper lakes.
- Budget roughly 3 to 4 hours for day 1, with about 2,500 to 3,000 feet of gain from a trailhead near 7,800 feet.
- Confirm on your permit and the current Inyo National Forest map exactly which lakes allow camping, since First and Second Lakes are restricted.
- Set a firm turnaround time (for example 1 pm) and an energy check, and descend if altitude symptoms worsen.
- Bear canisters are mandatory, and late-season nights can drop well below freezing, so pack a 15 to 20F bag.
What does a 2-night Big Pine Lakes backpacking itinerary look like?
The North Fork Big Pine Creek trail starts at the end of Glacier Lodge Road near 7,700 to 7,800 feet and climbs to lakes between roughly 10,000 and 10,800 feet. Expect about 2,500 to 3,000 feet of gain to reach the upper lakes, spread over 5 to 7 miles one way.
For a first overnight, the simplest plan is one camp for two nights. You hike in with a full pack once, spend a full day exploring with a light daypack, and hike out on day 3. The lakes are strung along one trail, so there is no loop to plan and an easy way to shorten the trip if someone is struggling.
Which lakes are where, and how far is each?
Distances are approximate and vary by source and by which fork of the trail you follow. Treat them as planning numbers, not survey data.
The scenic core is Lakes 1, 2 and 3, with Temple Crag above the lakes and the Palisade Glacier viewpoint beyond Sixth Lake.
| Stop | Approx. miles one way | Approx. elevation | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Lake | about 4 to 4.5 | about 10,000 ft | Turquoise water, first big views, busy with day hikers |
| Second Lake | about 5 | about 10,100 ft | Classic photo spot, camping restricted |
| Third Lake | about 5.5 to 6 | about 10,200 ft | Scenic core, more rock and slower footing beyond here |
| Fourth Lake | about 6 | about 10,500 ft | Rockier terrain, fewer people |
| Fifth Lake | about 6.5 to 7 | about 10,700 ft | Boulder hopping, Temple Crag views |
| Sixth Lake | about 7+ | about 10,800 ft | Gateway toward the Palisade Glacier viewpoint, which lies beyond it |
Where can you actually camp at Big Pine Lakes?
Do not assume Second Lake is campable. Camping near First and Second Lakes has been restricted and is limited to designated areas, and the rules can change with resource conditions. The permit zone is quota-controlled, so your reservation tells you which trail and zone you are authorized for.
Read the permit's stated rules and the current Inyo National Forest page for this zone. Typical rules also include a minimum distance from lakes, streams and the trail for camping, no campfires in many high-elevation areas, and group size limits.
If the Second Lake area is closed to camping, the Third Lake area and sites farther up are the usual alternatives. Pick a site on durable, already-used ground rather than creating a new one.
What is the best day-by-day Big Pine Lakes backpacking itinerary for 2 nights?
This base camp schedule keeps hiking days short enough for a new backpacker and leaves room for weather and slow acclimatization. Shift every time earlier if the forecast shows afternoon storms.
The Day 2 options below assume a Third Lake camp. The Palisade Glacier viewpoint sits beyond Sixth Lake, so it is a much bigger day than the lakes themselves.
| Day | Plan | Distance and gain | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night before | Sleep in Big Pine or Bishop and drink water | None | Early dinner, early bed |
| Day 1 | Hike from the trailhead to your campsite near Second or Third Lake | about 5 to 6 miles, about 2,500 ft gain | Start 7 to 8 am, arrive by 12 to 1 pm |
| Day 2 | Standard option: light day hike to Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Lakes and back to camp. Optional longer push: continue past Sixth Lake toward Temple Crag and the Palisade Glacier viewpoint, only if everyone feels strong and the weather is clear | Standard: about 3 to 5 miles round trip from camp, rocky. Optional Palisade push: well over 6 miles round trip (roughly 8 or more), strenuous and rough | Leave 8 am, turn around by 1 pm |
| Day 3 | Pack up and hike out, downhill the whole way | about 5 to 6 miles, about 2,500 ft loss | Out by early afternoon, drive home |
Should I base camp or move camp each night?
For a first trip, base camp. Moving camp means breaking down, repacking and carrying the full load again, which costs energy and time without adding much scenery on a trail this short.
Moving camp can make sense for experienced hikers who want to sleep at the highest lakes, but it also means more nights at altitude with a heavy pack.
| Factor | Base camp (one camp, 2 nights) | Move camp each night |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy pack carries | Twice (in and out) | Three or four times |
| Free day for upper lakes | Yes, lightly loaded | Partly, with pack |
| Weather flexibility | High, you can bail early | Lower |
| Setup effort | Once | Every day |
| Best for | First-timers | Experienced, ambitious trips |
How fast will I hike, and when should I turn around?
With a loaded pack at altitude, plan on about 30 to 40 minutes per mile, so the first day takes roughly 3 to 4 hours of moving time plus breaks. Arriving by early afternoon gives you time to find a site and sets you ahead of Sierra afternoon thunderstorms.
Set a firm turnaround time before you leave camp, for example 1 pm, and agree on an energy check: if anyone has a headache that worsens, nausea, or unusual fatigue, you turn around regardless of the clock.
Past Third Lake the trail becomes rock and boulder hopping, so mileage that looks easy on paper takes much longer. Do not judge Day 2 by map distance alone.
How do I handle altitude, weather and late-season cold?
Sleep the night before in Big Pine or Bishop, which are far lower than the lakes, then drink water steadily, eat even without appetite, and go slowly. Mild headache and poor sleep are common; headache plus vomiting, confusion, loss of coordination, or breathlessness at rest are signs to descend immediately. Descending is the cure, and the trail is all downhill on the way out.
In late fall, expect freezing nights, short daylight, early snow and ice, and frozen puddles. Use a sleeping bag rated 15 to 20F, an insulated pad, a warm hat, insulated layers and a headlamp with spare batteries. Check the forecast the day before and carry a plan to leave early if a storm is coming.
What rules, permits and gear do I need?
A wilderness permit is required, issued through the Inyo National Forest quota system and reserved on recreation.gov. Bear canisters are mandatory for all food, trash and scented items, and the canister should be stored away from your tent. Campfire restrictions apply, so bring a stove, and follow Leave No Trace.
Target a pack weight of roughly 20 to 25 percent of your body weight. Common mistakes are overpacking, bringing new unbroken boots, and carrying too much food.
- Pack a bear canister and a sleeping bag rated 15 to 20F.
- Bring an insulated sleeping pad, tent, stove and fuel.
- Carry a water filter and treat all creek and lake water.
- Take a headlamp, extra batteries and trekking poles.
- Add layers: base layer, insulated jacket, rain shell, hat and gloves.
- Break in your boots well before the trip.
- Save the trailhead vault toilet for before you leave and plan to pack out waste.
Common questions
How far should I hike on the first night at Big Pine Lakes?
Plan on about 5 to 6 miles, which brings you to the Second or Third Lake area. That takes roughly 3 to 4 hours with a pack, and arriving by early afternoon keeps you ahead of storms.
Is the Big Pine Lakes trail good for beginners?
It is a good first backpacking trip because the trail is well defined and the scenery starts early. The hard parts are altitude, a long climb and rocky terrain past Third Lake, so a base camp plan is safer.
Is there water on the trail?
Yes, the creek and lakes provide reliable water along the route, but all of it must be filtered or treated. In late season some small puddles and trickles may be frozen or dry.
Is there cell service and a bail-out plan?
Expect no cell service once you leave the trailhead area. The simplest bail-out is to turn around and descend the same trail, and your emergency contact should know your route and return time.