"BIG PINE - GATEWAY TO MUCH TALLER HEIGHTS" Big Pine by mtncorg

Big Pine Travel Guide: 18 reviews and 44 photos

Temple Crags towering above Third Lake - Big Pine

Big Pine is just a little stop in the road - not much more than a road junction and a garage. Most travelers along US 395 barely slow down. But the roads branching out lead to some of California's most exciting landscapes. Head east - up CA 168 - and you will traverse the wide trench of the Owens River Valley. Mountain walls rise up on either side to over 14000 feet! Ahead lies the steady hard climb up to 7271 foot high Westgard Pass. En route you can see the vast radio antennae farm that is featured in lots of movies. The antennae are all pointed upward, in anticipation of the realization of the X Files. Continue upwards and you will plunge into the heart of the White Mountains, home of the World's oldest living things - the bristlecone pines. You will also be treated to an extraordinary view of the Sierran range in much of its entirety - from Mt Whitney to the peaks of the eastern Yosemite Park. Head west from Big Pine, and you will be directly en route for the trailhead at Glacier Lodge. These two main trails will take you into the heart of some of the wildest and most dramatic scenery you will find in the Range of Light.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Some of the most incredible alpine regions of California!
Cons:Big Pine Basin can get relatively crowded in the short summer season.
In a nutshell:Ancient trees, spiring peaks, the largest glacier in the Sierra Nevada ... and the Wolfman!

Intro Written Jan 22, 2005
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Reviews (12)

Bristlcones and Sierra vistas along the way - Big Pine

WHITE MOUNTAIN ROAD Things to Do (12)

There are a lot of dramatic roads that can be driven throughout the Golden State and this is one of the best. Coming... more travel advice

Waters of Big Pine Creek flow by Lon Chaney cabin - Big Pine

LON CHANEY CABIN Things to Do (12)

Even the Wolfman knew about the Big Pine area. Here, at 9000 feet, 2.5 to 3 miles in from the trailhead, you will find a... more travel advice

FOURTH LAKE Things to Do (12)

Here at Fourth Lake, you will find one of the prettiest lakes in the basin. The water is not glacial in origin, hence,... more travel advice

Thunderbolt rises above Palisade Gl cirque lake - Big Pine

THUNDERBOLT PEAK Things to Do (12)

The upper part of the Big Pine basin is a true wonderland for alpinists - and they do come: Temple Crags, Mt Sill,... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 22, 2005

7 photos

BRISTLECONE MAGIC

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Comments (3)

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goingsolo Sep 9, 2006 at 3:01 PM

Another place that I missed! Looks absolutely beautiful out here. Got me longing to go back. :)
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XenoHumph Aug 8, 2005 at 1:45 PM

Ah, interesting, I am collaborating with some people at Rice to work on rocks from this area. Now I now how it looks... next time, I go sample myself!!! Great page!
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gosiaPL Feb 5, 2005 at 11:22 PM

"What a wonderful world..." one might sing looking at your pics!