Hiking the North Fork of Big Pine to the Glacial Lakes and Palisade Glacier

The North Fork of Big Pine is quickly becoming one of the most popular trails in the Eastern Sierras due to its pristine blue glacial lakes and its high crags. This 19ish mile trail will take you to the first three lakes and then up to the Palisades Glacier, which is one of the southernmost glaciers in the USA. We did this hike as a 2 day trip with one night spent at Second Lake.
Read all about it at these two posts.
californiathroughmylens.com/ba...
californiathroughmylens.com/hi...
Permit Details - www.recreation.gov/entranceDe...
Camera - GoPro Hero 5 - amzn.to/2xk68Ll
Music:
- MK2 - Mean Streetz
- Nicolai Heidlas - Paint It ( / 142-bpm-paint-it-free-... )
- The Creek- Topher Mohr and Alex Elena

Пікірлер: 87

  • @jennyc1846
    @jennyc184611 ай бұрын

    Thanks Josh thanks Chris awesome scenery. Loved the blue/green of the lakes in contrast to the grey rock/scree and the Autumn colours were stunning. cheers from Western Australia

  • @JazzyLewis19
    @JazzyLewis193 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for documenting this. I’m going next weekend!!

  • @XBOXNationTVHD
    @XBOXNationTVHD7 жыл бұрын

    I can't imagine what the California Sierras looked like before man touch them but none the less.... Beautiful my friend

  • @somethingmorerealistic9582

    @somethingmorerealistic9582

    4 жыл бұрын

    california use to be beautiful. nothing but farm land, old country towns. it really was the wild wild west. then democrats moved here and created san fran. it hasnt been the same ever since

  • @raidthanfl

    @raidthanfl

    4 жыл бұрын

    A lot of the eastern sierras are untouched...they are amazing

  • @normajean5975

    @normajean5975

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes it was much more wild and beautiful before Europeans showed up.

  • @adanperez648

    @adanperez648

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@somethingmorerealistic9582 way to make everything political loser

  • @iraqiimmigrant2908

    @iraqiimmigrant2908

    Жыл бұрын

    @@somethingmorerealistic9582I’ve got family in Cali… DemonRats destroyed the state. Beautiful place, horrible government.

  • @tomlewis2477
    @tomlewis24774 жыл бұрын

    That glacier is bizarre. I've been as far as the 3rd lake in '94 and the 2nd one in '98. Thanks for making this video. It is very cool. No pun intended.

  • @HuckOutdoors
    @HuckOutdoors Жыл бұрын

    Finally getting to go! Permits got cancelled back in 2020, but this weekend we will be up there for 3 days!

  • @theworldhiker1
    @theworldhiker12 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Josh for another great video...I just went to the Big Pine Lakes a couple weeks ago and hiked up through the snow. One of the best hikes in California for sure. Appreciate your amazing videos and genuine personality in sharing the outdoors with us!

  • @summitsparrow
    @summitsparrow6 жыл бұрын

    Sweet vid! I've been to the glacier three times now. I love it every time I go, it's a magical place.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    Agreed, I can't wait to go back.

  • @cutproductions
    @cutproductions4 жыл бұрын

    Oh my goodness I want to go there right now! I've done very little exploring of the Eastern Sierra and have seen so much cool stuff about them this past year. Can't wait to check them out soon!

  • @Zambita25
    @Zambita254 жыл бұрын

    Love all your videos!!! Thanks to you I have done many trails and have tons on my list to do. THANK YOU

  • @pnwadventuresandgearreview8749
    @pnwadventuresandgearreview87496 жыл бұрын

    That looks like an epic trip!

  • @erict5878
    @erict58784 жыл бұрын

    Hey Josh! Had no idea you are a backpacker as well! Good for you! Keep hiking the Eastern Sierra and you will be BLOWN away my friend!

  • @asucenarodriguez641

    @asucenarodriguez641

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great job!!!!... Love all your videos. Very informatives.

  • @christinerolle3876
    @christinerolle38763 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Josh for sharing.wishing i will be able to do a backpacking trip. Awesome info.!! Its so magical

  • @istolethisaccount
    @istolethisaccount7 жыл бұрын

    ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE VID!! Keep it up you guys! The Sierras are such a special place to me, me and my dad would go backpacking EXACTLY where you guys went every year! I'm surprised you guys got up to the glacier without having bad weather, it's ALWAYS thunder and lightning up there when we go!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment! I agree the Sierras are a super special place and it was nice to have no weather when at the glacier

  • @khuuphotos
    @khuuphotos4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for narratives, very informative!

  • @VentureAHighway
    @VentureAHighway4 жыл бұрын

    The view from that final destination is unreal, the thumbnail got me lol

  • @johnnyaccardo8500
    @johnnyaccardo85006 жыл бұрын

    Great work brother! Heading up there this weekend :)

  • @jeffmcneal9005
    @jeffmcneal90055 жыл бұрын

    Everything tastes better while sitting around a fire after a long day hiking! 5 out of 5 for the video, thanks for the info. I’ll check this place out someday.

  • @dant3113
    @dant31136 жыл бұрын

    This is awesome man. I want to do this in June after Haleakala.

  • @MidsierramusingBlogspot
    @MidsierramusingBlogspot6 жыл бұрын

    Nice video, I also like the occasional distances you cite. Been to the lakes but did not hike the Glacial Trail.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching, I agree it is an amazing hike

  • @thinkinoutloud.1
    @thinkinoutloud.14 жыл бұрын

    Nice!

  • @triciatraci
    @triciatraci5 жыл бұрын

    Hi great video! You have decent sound. How are you doing that?

  • @paulricci7696
    @paulricci76966 жыл бұрын

    Temple crag via Darkstar is grade V 5.10b 18 pitches to summit! Climb Solid no one will rescue you here. Temple Crag is 12,999 Feet above sea level.

  • @ripvantwinkle2629

    @ripvantwinkle2629

    4 жыл бұрын

    But did you die.....

  • @PokeYourEyez
    @PokeYourEyez5 жыл бұрын

    Nice video. Did you film everything on your GoPro? What are you using for microphone

  • @mark_girardeau
    @mark_girardeau7 жыл бұрын

    Another great video! Which camera mount are you using to attach to your pack strap??

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    This is the clip I use, I love it for hiking with my camera. amzn.to/2sYpoh6

  • @mark_girardeau

    @mark_girardeau

    7 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Buying it right now for my trip to Big Pine Lakes this weekend, thanks so much! I love your website and all your videos!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    Awesome have fun, I am jealous I bet its beautiful right now!

  • @mark_girardeau

    @mark_girardeau

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @HelpMeFindTheseSongs
    @HelpMeFindTheseSongs6 жыл бұрын

    Out of curiosity, is swimming in First Lake and/or Second Lake permitted? And by the way, great video. Very well filmed, in high quality, and with lots of information. Thanks!

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    I actually have no idea about whether swimming is allowed but I have seen some photos of people doing it.

  • @thomaswayneward

    @thomaswayneward

    6 жыл бұрын

    If you like being turned into an ice cube, yes.

  • @andrestepec88
    @andrestepec886 жыл бұрын

    Ill be moving to oregon next month. Do you think is a good idea to go in last week of april?

  • @sleeve51
    @sleeve514 жыл бұрын

    That hike is brutal. Whitney trail was a walk in the park compared to the trail to the PG.

  • @ianmandel352
    @ianmandel3527 жыл бұрын

    Awesom freakin video !! Thanks again for sharing your overnight backpacking trip...Did you have to get a reserved campsite at 2nd lake ? . Thats a sweet windbreaker , what brand is that ? i need to copy you ..lol ..any tips for me doing this trip ? thanks

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment. We got an overnight permit then it is first come first serve at the camping areas. If you are talking about the blue jacket, its this one www.sierratradingpost.com/trespass-qikpac-jacket-waterproof-for-men-and-women~p~5240x/

  • @ianmandel352

    @ianmandel352

    7 жыл бұрын

    Sweet !! thanku for the tip Josh.. l appreciate it ..and yup thats the cool lookin jacket ..

  • @Italionmex
    @Italionmex6 жыл бұрын

    Doing Mt. Whitney in a few days. Got my permit. This will be next. Hopefully the end of the month.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome, let me know how it goes!

  • @orion4624
    @orion46243 жыл бұрын

    Hi, awesome vid! Question: So I'll be hiking up to the 2nd lake with 5 other people. 2 of them are more experienced (though one hasn't hiked in awhile), the other three are intermediate or average. It will be my first time hiking in such long-distances. I've read that it has snowed up to 6 inches 4 days ago, and it looks like it'll be the same tomorrow (which is when we are going). I believe none of us have traversed through snowy conditions such as this. Would it be possible for a beginner, such as myself, to hike up to the 2nd lake in these conditions? I am aware that the total hike for all the lakes is around 16ish miles. We only plan to go to the 2nd lake and we will be heading back afterwards. We won't be camping. I've hiked smaller distances before, less than 2.8 miles in not much steeper slopes. The conditions in that hike were much hotter than what I've read. I've also camped out at Joshua Tree for a couple days and climbed some of their larger rocks. I also camped out in another desert (forgot the name) and traversed through it's dark and enclosed cave system. In regards to snowy terrain, alls I did was sled down Mountain High. That's the extent of my experiences. To be honest, a slight bit nervous? As I've read in some of the reviews in Alltrails.com, even experienced hikes said it was difficult. Still excited though! I've seen videos about it, such as yours, and it looks beautiful and not as steep. Thanks!

  • @jdelizalde1982
    @jdelizalde19824 жыл бұрын

    Quick question, you did all in one night camp? And also did you leave your can set up on the second day and pick when you came down?

  • @ASABIO623
    @ASABIO6237 жыл бұрын

    I'm thinking of doing this next week. Do you need a permit for a day hike? Do you think a day hike to third lake is too strenuous?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    I don't think you need a permit for day hikes. Here is the site on it. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/recarea/?recid=20328&actid=51 Whether it is too strenuous totally depends on the person and their hiking / altitude ability so it is hard for me to make a recommendation. Thanks for the comment!

  • @ExploreLiveCreateShare
    @ExploreLiveCreateShare2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome vid! Question… Overnight backpacking. Is it mandatory that we bring a bear containers to store our food? Or is it only highly recommended only? I’m getting all kinds of answers. Thanks!!

  • @TrekkingPals
    @TrekkingPals4 жыл бұрын

    Nice video. Is it possible to fish in one of the lakes?

  • @foodtripla7361
    @foodtripla73617 жыл бұрын

    were heading there on mid Nov. Do we need a permit? Can we just park anywhere before hiking out? thanks.

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    You do need a permit for overnight. There is a designated parking area for day hiking and for overnight.

  • @dypark89
    @dypark893 жыл бұрын

    where did you guys leave your backpacking gears?! to climb the boulders to palisade glacier?

  • @jakelazich7331
    @jakelazich73316 жыл бұрын

    Hey man... where do you park for this? If you're staying overnight, do you still park at the normal day-use area?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    There should be an overnight hiker parking area but it is a little further pack. Often you can pay $5 to park in the lodge near the trailhead as well but I would call them to double check. I think it is called the Glacier Lodge

  • @thomaswayneward

    @thomaswayneward

    6 жыл бұрын

    No, there are parking places for back packers

  • @krsty1415
    @krsty14153 жыл бұрын

    I don’t hike, I hiked up a steep tiny mountain about half a mile up and thought I was going to pass out. My boyfriend really wants to hike up to the second lake, would you recommend this hike for people with no experience and not in the best shape??

  • @rachelleannligon7791
    @rachelleannligon77912 жыл бұрын

    Hi! How did you secure permit to camp overnight at second lake? Thank you

  • @09Killerlp
    @09Killerlp7 жыл бұрын

    Quick question, I see you guys camped at "Second Lake". Do you need some sort or permit or reservations to camp there?

  • @ThroughMyLens

    @ThroughMyLens

    7 жыл бұрын

    You do need an overnight permit for camping there and you will put where you are camping on the permit. As in "second lake." Once there, there are not numbered spots or anything

  • @jbscrambler

    @jbscrambler

    6 жыл бұрын

    Where to get the camping permit to second lake?

  • @09Killerlp

    @09Killerlp

    6 жыл бұрын

    Through My Lens thank you!

  • @09Killerlp

    @09Killerlp

    6 жыл бұрын

    Jb Cabrera yes, where can I go by getting a permit?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    Its the Big Pine North Fork Area so you should be able to get a permit here. www.recreation.gov/entranceDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72203&entranceId=315402

  • @Skyclub12
    @Skyclub124 жыл бұрын

    Which parking is closer to the trailhead, the day parking or the overnight? And how far is the two parkings from the trailhead? Thanks if you could reply.

  • @danielkaranja7978

    @danielkaranja7978

    6 ай бұрын

    If i remember correctly, the day parking is far closer and right at the trail head itself. Overnight is probably a mile further back.

  • @trilbyarnold3341
    @trilbyarnold33415 жыл бұрын

    where do you get the permit for overnights?

  • @carmenheld-tauchar1113
    @carmenheld-tauchar11136 жыл бұрын

    What about wildlife up there? Is it dangerous? I would love to do this kind of thing some time, but I am very afraid of ending up on the bottom of the food chain... :(

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    I didn't see any wildlife when I was there. You do need to bring a bear box and keep it away from your tent but I have not heard of many wildlife sightings.

  • @carmenheld-tauchar1113

    @carmenheld-tauchar1113

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks :)

  • @lancestan3398
    @lancestan33986 жыл бұрын

    Was that you coming down the trail last Wednesday Aug 22?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    6 жыл бұрын

    Nope, not me. I haven't been back since 2016 unfortunately.

  • @Jxnskates
    @Jxnskates3 жыл бұрын

    Is the trail easy to follow?

  • @mrtrixterathotmail
    @mrtrixterathotmail7 жыл бұрын

    Will there be some urban tracking too?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    What do you mean?

  • @mrtrixterathotmail

    @mrtrixterathotmail

    7 жыл бұрын

    California Through My Lens I would love to see some tracking in LA or some small town in California.

  • @paulafoster8905
    @paulafoster89057 жыл бұрын

    Me and my bf r thinking of hiking all the way up to second lake and back. It'll be me, him and my kids, 5 and 9 year old. How hard is it?

  • @californiathroughmylens

    @californiathroughmylens

    7 жыл бұрын

    That would be a relatively tough hike. It is about 8-10 miles and about 2000 feet of elevation gain, so it depends on how often you hike and such, as it is not an easy spot to tackle.

  • @thomaswayneward

    @thomaswayneward

    6 жыл бұрын

    Hard

  • @danielkaranja7978

    @danielkaranja7978

    6 ай бұрын

    Am not sure how 5 and 9-year-olds can handle anything remotely like this sort of a hike.