Big Pine Lakes Camping

John Muir Wilderness

photo of Big Pine Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California
photo of Big Pine Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California

Big Pine Lakes Camping

John Muir Wilderness


Camping Among the Big Pine Lakes

Campsites are found at all the lakes, but some locations are more attractive than others. At the First Lake the best campsite is off the trail and down in a hollow near the lake's shore. Views of the lake and Temple Crag are magnificent. At Second Lake the few campsites tend to be perched on small ledges overlooking the lake. The view is wonderful, the trek down for water, not so much.

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Camp at Third Lake, Big Pine Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California

Third Lake Campsite

Third Lake has a couple of spacious sites down the slope from the trail. Views from camp are limited, but water is nearby. Fourth Lake draws the most campers with sites available along the western side and to the north up on a ridge overlooking the lake. As with nearly every campsite among the lakes, scenery is outstanding. Fifth Lake, surrounded by smaller trees, is less popular, but is a nice place for privacy. Really get away from others at the higher lakes.

Camp at Fourth Lake, Big Pine Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, California

Fourth Lake Campsite

Fishing

Rainbow and brook trout can be caught in all lower six lakes. In addition, brown trout are found in the lowest two lakes. Seventh Lake has brook trout, while a smaller lake above it is known to have a few golden trout. Fishing is good in all the lakes, including Black and Summit lakes.



Camp at Second Lake, Big Pine Lakes, John Muir Wilderness Wilderness, California

Second Lake Camp

Explore the Area

Make a circuit of all the lakes, allowing yourself plenty of time to wander along the shores, take some pictures, and perhaps do a little fishing. We enjoyed watching the ducks frolic at Seventh Lake.

At Second Lake you can find your way down to the earthen dam and cross to the other side of the lake for some interesting perspectives of Temple Crag. While Black Lake is a good fishing destination, it lacks the picturesque views found at the other lakes.


Peak Bagging

Many of the massive peaks along the Sierra crest to the west are popular challenges for experienced mountaineers. Among the climbs are Temple Crag, 12,999 feet, Mount Sill, 14,153 feet, and Mount Agassiz, 13,894 feet.   A good resource is R. J. Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.


The Mystery Falling Out of the Sky

In 2018 while we were camped at the Third Lake we suddenly heard a loud sound - part swish, part boom. Startled, we looked up and glimpsed a smear of white streaking downward, only about 100 yards to the north. In less than a second it disappeared behind intervening trees.

Our first thought was that had been a meteor. With that foremost in our minds we set out to see if we could find it. A scan of the nearby forest area revealed no scars or scorched spots, so we continued upward, scrambling over large rocks, peering into crevices and hoping to find some evidence of a meteor slamming into the granite. Nothing.

Discouraged, we made our way down from the rocks and into the trees again where we were surprised to come upon a dead duck, lying on the ground. It looked fresh. It was about then that we began to reconsider our meteor theory. What we had witnessed, we decided, was a Peregrine Falcon - the fastest bird in the sky - making its kill.

Ducks, we read later, are one of their favorite prey. The Peregrine Falcon descends at up to 200 MPH on its unsuspecting target, striking it with such force that it is killed instantly. We suspect that our presence scared the falcon away before it could make a meal of the duck.