Fifth Lake

At Fifth Lake, your perspective will begin to change. Instead of the centerpiece of your photos being Temple Crag, here your focus shifts to Two Eagle Peak (west), Cloudripper (northwest), and Mount Robinson (southwest)!Renowned local painter Robert Clunie (1895-1984) created some of his greatest works camped between Fourth and Fifth Lake. In the summer of 1929, Clunie spent eight weeks submersed in the landscapes of Big Pine Canyon, and returned every year thereafter for the next three decades to paint these incredible mountains. His art is truly incredible, and gained great popularity after his death in 1984.

Fifth Lake is one of the many alpine reservoirs scattered around this part of the John Muir Wilderness. There is quite a bit of camping available around the banks of the lake, and a few different wilderness trails intersecting not far away from here.