Inyo National Forest
An adventurous journey with 10+ mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails
Places we've visited and fallen in love with
Trip · 3-day backpacking trip
For · Friends and intermediate backpackers
Vibe · Challenging and hard
Distance · 15.2 miles and 3,892 feet of elevation gain
Permits · Yep, reserve a wilderness permit for Big Pine Creek North Fork
Drive · 4.5 hours from LA
Ideal dates · May to September
Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds!
This popular trek in Inyo National Forest begins at Big Pine Creek North Fork Trailhead and takes you through a chain of seven glorious alpine lakes. Each lake is named First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake (you can see where this is going), and the further you hike, the more solitude you'll find. Each lake is fed by the Palisade Glacier, which you can climb or soak up views from the trail. Oh, and don't miss the notorious Temple Crag and waterfalls along the way. Design your own adventure at Big Pine Lakes.
Official National Forest Website
Main image credit: Nomadik
Some people day hike to Big Pine Lakes, but spending a couple of nights in John Muir Wilderness is the best way to experience this gorgeous area. Overnight permit quotas are in place from May to September, and you can reserve a wilderness permit up to six months in advance. If you see a "W" for your preferred entry date on Recreation.gov, it means a few more permits will be released at 7 AM exactly two weeks before your ideal start date.
Once you reserve a permit online, you'll have to request your permit via email, phone, or in-person, by answering a few questions. It'll take up to 48 hours to process and finally receive your permit.
Permits cost $6 (non-refundable fee) and an additional $5 per hiker.
Big Pine Lakes is tucked away in John Muir Wilderness, a 100-mile stretch along the Sierra Crest in Inyo National Forest
The name "Inyo" derives from a Native American word meaning "dwelling place of the great spirit."
John Muir Wilderness was designated and protected by Congress in 1964. Since then, it has become the second most-visited wilderness in the country!
A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.
Essential Items
Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.
Kitchen
Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.
Shared Gear
An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.
Shared Gear
Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.
Essential Items
A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.
Shared Gear
An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.
Personal Stuff
This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.
Kitchen
If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.
Essential Items
A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.
Shared Gear
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
