Backpacking and hiking to the Palisade Glacier

[Peech]

Hello!
Last weekend (6/24/12 to 6/26/12) my BF and I were in the Big Pine Creek area for backpacking and photography. Conditions were very windy but that kept the bugs away and we had a great time.
We parked at Glacier Lodge ($5 a night) and camped by Third Lake. If you are planning a trip out there:
1. Start early. The first section of trail to Cienega Mirth is hot and there is no shade
2. There are lots of nice looking campsites right off trail between 2nd and 3rd Lake. Ignore them! There are really awesome campsites closer to the lakes and you won't be visible from the trail. There are some really awesome campsites steps from the shore that really shouldn't be there too.
3. Wildflowers are blooming right now it looks like August out there!
4. If you are going to the glacier for the first time the cairns for the last half mile are tricky to see on the way up but you will have no trouble seeing all of them on the way down. With a map and good sense of direction you really don't need them to cross the talus field at all.

My trip reports tend to be a just bunch of pictures with captions. Please enjoy!
http://peechierana.weebly.com/the-glacier-trip.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Peech.

[cgundersen]

Peech,
Bellissimo! Sounds like the bugs are drying out already! Thanks for the photos & commentary!
cg

[maverick]

Thanks Peech for taking the time to put together a very enjoyable TR.
Always enjoyed that view from the ridge on the way up to the glacier and looking back
down at the lakes, emerald gems. Great to read that the flowers are popping up
hope they will do the same in other parts of the Sierra in the next few weeks.

[jessegooddog]

Thank you so much for a terrific trail report, interesting commentary and and gorgeous pictures. Love the sky pilots!

[richlong8]

Thanks for posting your report. I have a Big Pine trip from a few weeks ago that I need to get posted.
Some sweeeeeet photos.