Big Pine Creek Trail: Pour-Overs up High

Heading back to the Big Pine Creek trail was like visiting an old friend. This was our second trip to the lakes, part of our decade-long very amateur exploration of the Eastern Sierras. I’ll tell you what, there is no feeling like when you start to head westward, off highway 395. Staring up at North Palisade peak sets the stage for the adventure ahead.

Hi, my name is Travis. One of the partners here at West Land Coffee Roasters. It’s my hope the tale of our quaint and quick adventure inspires you to take some time and plan something that gets you stoked, refueled and inspired. The thought of waking up and making a cup of good coffee in a cool location gets me excited. That’s the idea behind our Go West series.

Trailhead start from the Overnight Parking Lot

Let me start by saying I am no expert, just a dude that digs a view with some altitude, sleeping under the stars and is ok with enduring a little suffering for quiet moments of isolation with good company. This is not a north star guide, but more so something to get you excited to plan and see this beautiful place.

First View of North Big Pine Creek Leading to Second Lake

The Big Pine Creek trailhead starts off the Sage Flat Campground just 9 or so miles West of Highway 395. You will find a small day-use lot located at the entrance of the Big Pine Creek Campground and an overnight parking lot just east of the campground. Note: you do need a Wilderness Permit for overnight trips to the lakes.

Cold plunging the creek is a must on the way up.

I have only experienced this place in spring & summer. So I am writing with a warmer climate perspective, take that into account when reading about how I prepared for the trip. Keep in mind, camp at Second Lake sits at roughly 10,100ft and weather can change quickly. We experienced this first hand in May 2021, when we were enjoying a 75 degree spring day. I remember falling asleep in swim trunks on a grassy river bank. Later that afternoon, we watched the storm roll in from the north, instantly sucking all the warmth in the valley. We woke up in 3 inches of snow the next morning.

You gain roughly 3,000 ft of elevation from the overnight parking lot. In both trips, we have passed folks weighed down with too much gear to reach camp day 1. Although it is only a 5-mile hike, you definitely feel the altitude under pack weight. Bring the essentials, but heavily consider the weight of your pack for the trip.

 

 

Sleeping on the grassy bank of Third Lake on a warm spring day

 

Waking up in snow the next morning

Gear

 I’ll keep this straight to the point. Packing for Big Pine is about keeping it simple. I stick to the essentials and found my packs getting simpler each trip: 

• Weather permitting, sleep under the stars in a warm sleeping bag. Note: Summer can be buggy, I found that out the fun way! Woke up with literally 60 mosquito bites on my face.
• Lite-Weight Tent
• Calorie Dense Food and Snacks
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray
• Swim Trunks for epic polar plunges
• Bring enough water for the first 2-mile section, then you will find refreshing and crisp mountain water in abundance. A charcoal water filter is a good idea for safety.
• Single burner MSR PocketRocket stove.
• West Land Coffee, a hand grinder and a lite-weight pour-over set.
• Lite-tackle fishing rod for trout
• A good book
• A couple of cold beers
• Camera is a must as well

 

 

Mike fishing for trout, Fourth Lake 

 

 

Trout for lunch at Fourth Lake

THE SUPER SECRET SPOTS

I have my go-to coordinates for setting up camp, both are actually on 3rd lake where you get a little more solace from the day-use crowd: 37°07’21.8″N 118°29’42.6″W & 37°07’21.4″N 118°29’49.9″W. These spots, with their views of the alpine lakes and Temple Crag standing guard, are why we come back. I won’t give any more details on the spots, I leave it to you to go experience for yourself.