First Lake is one of many reservoirs in this section of the John Muir Wilderness and Inyo National Forest. This is a gorgeous lake that you'll view from above from the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail with Mount Alice towering in the background.

Matthew

December 21, 2023

Running

Amazon

January 27, 2024

Hiking

FIRST Lake is, ironically, the LAST place for this water to rest before heading down through Big Pine Valley as the North Fork Big Pine Creek and entering, as a tributary, the Owens River 6,000ft below! To the east you are offered a lovely view to Mount Alice, while to the south Temple Crag commands your attention! The water in First Lake, as well as the ither Big Pine Lakes, often can be seen with a beautiful teal hue, caused by the refraction of sunlight on particles of glacial silt in the water!

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Best Hikes to First Lake

4.9

(8)

137

hikers

1. First Lake – Second Lake and Temple Crag loop from Big Pine

14.9km

04:51

690m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.8

(6)

133

hikers

2. First Lake – Second Lake and Temple Crag loop from Big Pine

19.5km

06:22

910m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

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3. Second Lake and Temple Crag – Fifth Lake loop from Big Pine

6.50km

02:00

240m

230m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

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Informations

Elevation 3,040 m

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Today

Saturday 31 January

7°C

-8°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 3.0 km/h

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Location: Inyo County, California, United States

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1. First Lake – Second Lake and Temple Crag loop from Big Pine

2. First Lake – Second Lake and Temple Crag loop from Big Pine

3. Second Lake and Temple Crag – Fifth Lake loop from Big Pine

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