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Second Lake and Temple Crag

Lakes

Second Lake and Temple Crag

Highlight • Lake

Second Lake and Temple Crag

Name: Second Lake and Temple Crag
Rating: 2

Recommended by 3 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: John Muir Wilderness

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Location: Inyo County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Second Lake and Temple Crag

4.8

(6)

110

hikers

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

14.6km

04:45

690m

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

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Intermediate

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

19.9km

06:26

910m

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

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Expert

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

6.05km

01:51

220m

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

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Easy

Tips

Amazon

January 27, 2024

The pictures taken from this small rocky outcrop above Second Lake, marked here by a tentsite symbol, are ICONIC. If the pictures above look familiar, that’s because… well.. they are! Temple Crag from across Second Lake is one of the most frequently photographed “scenes” of the Eastern Sierras. Just a quick search on the internet of “Big Pine Lakes” will pull up countless pictures almost identical to each other of this exact lake/peak combo. (Seriously, try it 😂) And honestly, it’s easy to understand why! The setting is otherwordly!

Matthew

November 21, 2023

Every alpine lake has its own qualities that make it stand out, but Second Lake has often been called the most beautiful of the numbered lakes in this part of the John Muir Wilderness. This could be because it's the biggest or because it's the easiest to explore in depth since there is a spur trail that travels between this lake and First Lake.

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Details

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Elevation 3,070 m

Weather

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Friday 31 October

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Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Inyo County, California, United States

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Second Lake and Temple Crag

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

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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