Big Pine’s Second Lake: Everything You Need to Know

Second lake is one of seven Big Pine lakes in the John Muir Wilderness. This wilderness area sits in the Sierra mountains of California. It is filled with snow-capped mountains and lake-filled canyons. The Big Pine Lakes are just to the east of King’s Canyon National Park and is a must-hike area for day hiking or backpacking.

Second lake sits at the base of Temple Craig, a well known and famous rock formation. Temple Craig is such a unique feature, but Second Lake’s turquoise blue color really makes this a must-see spot. Second Lake itself doesn’t have a lot of information on it despite being the most popular destination in the Big Creek area. I’ll share everything you need to know to reach Second Lake in this guide.

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Things to Know About Hiking to Second Lake

• You can day hike or backpack to Second Lake and the surrounding wilderness area. Hikers must obtain a permit through advanced reservations or at the backcountry permit stations prior to camping here. You can learn more about this process below.

• This hike is extremely exposed with little water sources prior to Second Lake. There is a stream you can filter from above both waterfalls, but it isn’t as easy to filter from after the second falls. I passed a lot of hikers not carrying enough water for this hike. Always carry 1L for every two hours of hiking. Bring more water if it’s hot out however, a water filter is always a must have on any hike.

• There are actually two trailhead for this hike. I discovered this on accident when I went to a trailhead different than I expected to go to, but there isn’t a drastic difference between the two and I’ll share more below.

• There is no cell service up the road or along the trail. Be sure to pre down any maps and have directions to the trailhead you want to start at going prior to heading up.

• There are multiple campgrounds along Glacier Lodge Road on the way to the trailhead. They are available for advanced reservations and walk up. I was unable to get an advanced reservation and didn’t want to risk not getting a walk up so I camped near Big Pine at Baker Creek Campground, where I could reserve a spot. The campgrounds are quite large so there’s a good chance or finding a walk up.

• Always practice leave no trace principles on trial. There will be chipmunks and other wildlife in the area that will harass you for food. Always properly store food and never feed or touch the wildlife. Be sure to pack out all trash and properly dispose of human waste. Stick to the designated trails and avoiding going off trail unless it’s on a durable surface like rocks.

Second Lake Location

The two trailheads are located along Glacier Lodge Road outside of Big Pine, CA. The first parking lot is for overnight parking. It shows on Google maps as “Big Pine Creek Overnight Parking.” If you have a permit to backpack this is where you will want to park. This trailhead is also the location of the AllTrails map linked below. It is the map I used, so I had expected to start there but ended up at the other trailhead on accident.

The day hike trailhead is located at the “Big Pine Creek Trailhead” in Google maps. It is located at the end of Glacier Lodge Road where the road turns right and crosses the river to Glacier Lodge. It is a smaller parking lot near some cabins along the creek.

Best Time of Year to Hike Second Lake

The best time of year for this hike is late spring through mid fall. Second Lake is located in the Sierra’s, so it will have snow in the winter. Depending on the yearly snowfall levels, there may be snow present on trail in May. I hiked mid June and never saw snow anywhere on the trail. During summer months, this hike can be extremely hot, especially with how exposed it is. The temperature was already in the 90’s in June. If you hike to Second Lake in the summer months, be sure to start by sunrise or even earlier to avoid hiking up in the heat of the day.

Second Lake Trail Info

There is no AllTrails map just for Second Lake. I used this map for the entire Big Pine Loop to research and hike to Second Lake. The trail stats above are from my own collection using my Garmin.

This guide will share how to reach Second Lake from the day hiking parking lot, but the overnight parking lot trail connects with this one just above the waterfall. From the day hike parking lot, go past the road barrier along the North Fork Big Pine Creek. There will be multiple small cabins to the right. After passing the cabins, the road take a sharp right turn and heads up. This is where the trail is located on the left so be sure to catch the trail at this sharp corner of the road.

Just after starting on the trail, there is a small foot bridge where you cross the creek and can see the cascading waterfall. Continue on the trail until you reach a junction .1 miles in. The signs will state “NF Big Pine LKS 1-6” and “SF Big Pine.” Be sure to go right towards NF Big Pine LKS 1-6. The trail will have a few steep switchbacks before leveling around the top of the falls along the creek. From the junction it will be a around half a mile to the next foot bridge that takes you back over the North For Big Pine Creek towards Second Lake.

After crossing the footbridge there are two options to connect to the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail. The first option is to head straight to a small, steep trail that connects straight up to the trail. It is very steep with loose ground. I took it on the way back because it was .2 miles shorter, but it wasn’t the best to go down.

The second option is to head left along the Baker Summit trail. I enjoyed this trail on the way up because it’s relatively level and wide. It was peaceful walking through the trees and looking at the towering mountain sides from below. This trail switchbacks to the upper trail near the end of the canyon. You’ll be able to see a waterfall where the canyon floor ends and meets the canyon walls in the distance.

The trail is a gradual and exposed uphill climb to the top of the waterfall from here. The trail is rocky and lined with wildflowers in summer months. I hiked in late June and the flowers were in full bloom. Once you reach the top of the falls you will be entering the John Muir Wilderness area and have a some relief from the sun. The trail continues along the creek going in and out of the tree line to Second Lake.

As you approach Second Lake you will be able to see First Lake to the left of the trail below. Second Lake is just past here. The lake is surrounded by large boulders so it’s easy to explore the area and work your way down to the lake if you wish. Be sure to stay on durable surfaces like rocks when exploring and only camp in preexisting sites. If you wish to further to the other lakes follow the trail around Second Lake to continue on.

Backpacking to Second Lake

If you wish to backpack to any of the Big Pine lakes, including Second Lake, you will need a permit. Permits can be obtained ahead of time through the Inyo National Forest. All permits are obtained through recreation.gov up to six months in advance. From the link provided, search for available permits for Big Pine Creek North Fork within the dates you want. Being flexible with dates will always bring about the best odds at snagging a permit.

If you wish to book a permit in advance, go to recreation.gov at 7am PT exactly 6 months prior to the desired start date. 60% of the available permits will be available to reserve in advance. If you are unable to snag an advanced permit or you decided on the hike after the 6 month deadline, you can still snag a permit. The remaining permits will be available to book 2 weeks prior to the start date at 7am PT.

Once you obtain a permit for the Big Pine Creek North Fork trail, you can camp at any of the lakes within this area, including Second Lake. You must print the permit at home or pick it up at a ranger station prior to hiking. Be sure to read all guidelines for the area listed on the permit prior to going so you know what rules must be followed. Be sure to note that you must park in the designated “overnight parking” parking lot which I explain about above if you are backpacking.

What to Bring Hiking to Second Lake

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length or difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is very exposed and mountain terrain weather can change quickly. Be sure to pack extra clothing layers and plenty of snacks.

Bear Spray and Bear Bell

Always carry bear spray in an easy to access location when hiking in bear country. The front chest strap or belt strap of your backpack is the best location. Never put bear spray inside your backpack or it won’t be quickly accessible in an encounter. A bear bell can be a great option if you’re solo hiking or want to make sure you’re making plenty of noise to make your presence known.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water, the 10 essentials and food. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency, everyone should be individually prepared.

Water and water filter

Always carry enough water for your hike as well as a water filter to resupply at the creek or lake. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking, but because this is a difficult hike, carry at least an extra .5 per two hours. An insulated water bottle is a great choice to keep the water cold. A water bladder is another great option to be able to carry a larger amount of water and easily be able to drink throughout the hike.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. The trail was free of snow when I went so I did not need waterproof shoes. I chose my trail runners below, but hiking boots are a great option for ankle stability. If you’re hiking in early summer and there is still snow on the trail, a waterproof shoe will be best.

Bug Spray

Hiking to an alpine lake always comes with mosquitoes. Hiking in the fall will reduce how many mosquitoes are at the lake, but there is always a mosquito presence, so go prepared. Carry bug spray for your clothes and skin. If it’s early in the summer season, consider extra clothing layers to keep them off your skin and a bug net for you head. The snowfields, should here be any, are also a breeding ground for them. You can learn more about insect repellents and gear in my guide here.

Backpacking Gear

If you are lucky enough to backpack to Second Lake or the surrounding lakes, be sure to check out my “Backpacking Gear” guide to learn everything you need for a successful backpacking trip. You will need to obtain a permit to backpack in this wilderness area.

Sunscreen

This hike is extremely exposed. Even with my sunscreen on, I ended up getting a slight sunburn on my shoulders and legs. Be sure to reapply it when you reach the lake before beginning the hike out to prevent sunburns for yourself. Wearing layers like a sun shirt and hat will help keep the sun off your skin as well for extra protection.

Reminders

• Be sure to check for the correct trailhead for day hiking vs backpacking prior to leaving cell service so you end up in the correct parking lot. The trail lengths are almost comparable but do begin in different locations.

• Always practice Leave No Trace Principles while on trail. This means sticking to the designated trails and not walking over vegetation or cutting switchbacks while hiking. Never feed the wildlife and be sure to pack our all trash. Always camp and hike on established, durable surfaces. Be sure to properly bury all human waste and carry out toilet paper and feminine products.

• This hike is extremely exposed and temperatures are often hot in the eastern side of the California Sierras. Pack plenty of layers to keep the sun off your body and wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns.

The first time I saw a photo of Second Lake and Temple Craig, I knew I had to hike it myself. While researching this hike I quickly learned there was very little information on just this section of the hike. I hope this guide helps you learn not only how to backpack or hike the Big Pine Creek Valley, but specifically how to reach Second Lake. Second lake is breathtaking and a must-see place within the Sierra mountains. Be sure to let me know if you use this guide to get there or have any questions!

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*all mileage and elevation are estimates from personal data and information found online.

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