Big Pine Lakes

July 20-22, 2008

Day 1 South Fork Trailhead to Third Lake
With big smiles we begin our journey
Day 2 - 3rd Lake to Summit Lake and beyond



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Clouds provided shade on our first hard day's climb
Looking up the South Fork Valley where we had hiked the day before
Second Falls
The trail switchbacks up the cliff next to Second Falls, just before I got there a pack train passed and it was fun watching them switchback up the trail.  If you look hard you can see them just making the top of the trail.  Fortunately the sun waited to fully come out until I got to the top myself!
Famous silent film actor Lon Chaney had this beautiful cabin built in 1929 via a special use permit with the Forest Service.  Unfortunately he died only a couple of years afterwards and the cabin remained in private ownership until 1980 before being turned over to the Forest Service.  Now backcountry rangers use it.  It is steps from the North Fork Big Pine Creek and is surrounded by beautiful meadows and aspen glades. For more info on the cabin click here!
Paintbrush and Aspen, two of my favorite plants!
Sierra Gentian Gentianopsis holopetala and a matching purple bug!
I'm happy to reach the first lake, it's 2,200' feet and 5.1 miles from the trailhead...  and look at that color!
Impressive Temple Crag 12,978', we're heading to the lake at its base, Third Lake, for the night 
Don't know if these have a name but I call them 3rd Falls
Rod on a rock above Third Lake where we eat a late lunch (he brought Cheese Whiz in a can!) and set up camp, 2,500' and 6.5 miles from the trailhead
I took a short nap and awoke to this view of Temple Crag from my tent
The clouds parted and I got even better shots of this photogenic mountain
Second Lake at sunset