8 min
Overview
Most visitors to the Big Pine Creek Recreation Area arrive seeking the Big Pine Lakes, a magnificent chain of lakes turned milky blue by glacial run-off from the Palisade Glacier. On any given summer day, dozens of day hikers and backpackers work their way uphill along the North Fork Trail to reach the seven lakes and adjacent Black and Summit Lakes. Spectacular though this area is, nobody will accuse this busy footpath of being too quiet. Solitude lies elsewhere – specifically along the less-traveled South Fork of Big Pine Creek. The South Fork Trail explores the dramatic canyon and spectacular high country of the South Fork Big Pine Creek watershed, which also comes with its own lakes and glaciers. Because the South Fork Trail is more challenging due to steepness, rugged terrain, and occasional indistinct trail treads, and possibly because it lacks the accessible beauty of the North Fork, a smaller percentage of hikers come this way. If you are prepared to tackle some challenging hiking, a bit of cross-country travel, and an unimproved creek crossing that can prove problematic during high water, you will enjoy not only the solitude but a gorgeous set of lakes and a beautiful subalpine forest. One bit of advice for summer hikers on this route: it is crucial, perhaps even imperative, that you get an early start. The opening stretch of the route occurs entirely out in the open, and the summer heat can become oppressive even at this altitude. If you begin early, you beat the heat while also enjoying shade through nearly the first two hours of the trail thanks largely to the south wall of the canyon blocking out the early morning sun. On a warm summer day, this reprieve from the relentless Sierra sunshine will be a wonderful relief. Western columbine The South Fork Trail functions equally well as a challenging day hike or an overnight hike. Two separate trails serve the respective activities, which leads to a few navigational quirks. Backpackers will have to park further away in the overnight lot east of the day
Trail Stats
18.3 km
1310 m
3268 m
2310 m
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