Day hiking Finger Lake & Brainerd Lake at John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest in California
Day hiking Finger Lake & Brainerd Lake at Inyo National Forest
Hiking up any mountains is one of my favorite ways to spend my time in the outdoors . The Eastern Sierra mountains in California have some of the most beautiful hidden places to visit. During the fall season, the weather is very pleasant to enjoy a day hike in the mountains. I truly enjoy waking up early in the morning and hearing the birds. The best breeze comes in early morning. As the cool morning wind wakes me up, I grab my gear and begin my day as I pack for my journey up the Sierra Mountains.
highlights and geographical information
Parking lot: it's not very big and available spaces can become limited for day hikers so remember to go early to maximize your chances.
Road Conditions: paved up to day use parking lot.
Best Seasons: Fall / Summer.
Restrooms: outdoor composting toilet located at the day use parking.
Altitudes:
(Day-use parking lot) 7,777 ft (lowest elevation)
(Brainerd Lake) 10,239 ft
(Finger Lake) 10,831 ft (max elevation)
Trail distance: 10 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 3,336 ft
Elevation loss : 284 ft
Total hiking time: 8-10 hrs
Congestion: Low
Difficulty: Hard (mostly all up hill)
Pets: are allowed but there is a scramble and loose boulders so beware of this if you are going past Brainerd lake.
Don’t Forget to Bring: Sunblock, bug spray, long sleeves, food, trekking poles.
Water: availability is plenty along the way so you don’t need to bring if you don’t want to, but be mindful to filter. It tastes amazing!
Overnight backpacking: permits are required get yours at Recreation.gov. Once reserved you can pick it up at the designated ranger stations.
Overnight parking lot: the first parking lot you’ll see as you drive up from Big Pine. This parking lot is about 1/2 a mile from the trailhead. Alternatively, you can also park at Glacier Lodge (provided they are open and have available space) for a fee of $5.00. However; call them beforehand as prices may change (760) 938-2837.
The magic begins here! the official trailhead marker.
This beautiful hike starts at the Big Pine Creek Trailhead. Once you start, you’ll be amazed at the paradise which reveals itself each step of the way. As you begin your ascent, you’ll walk up the trail following the South Fork Big Pine Creek sign, alongside the Big Pine Creek and then up a short switchback. Crossing Big Pine Creek bridge and leaving civilization behind ,you’ll begin your away up!
Beginning is always exciting for me. Yet, I can’t help but to think about the elevation and it’s uphill... I sigh, and at that point I pump myself up, I drove 4 hrs and 45 mins. Also, I’ve got water and beef jerky (ohh.., and a garbage bag ) so, challenge accepted!I love hiking, it’s one of my biggest passions.
The South Fork Big Pine Creek trail ending for me at Finger lake and passing by Brainerd lake is not only exciting and hard, it’s gorgeous! and super picturesque.
I always find myself feeling refreshed by the outdoors and it’s a huge privilege for me to see the Middle Palisade Glacier for a second time in one month; this for sure this was a real treat. Though the beginning of this hike is very nice and gentle, the second part in this hike is a steep switchback. Starts out gradual and then about half way up, it steepens and you find yourself walking on broken up rocks heading higher. Getting to the top of the incline it feels hard but it’s so rewarding when you see the jagged peaks peering out of the Middle Palisades Glacier. Walking up along the river I can feel the beautiful sun rays on my face, I feel my legs beginning to work up a burn, now its the hard part of the trail, (in my opinion); the switchback.
The switchback walking up towards Brainerd and Finger lake
Some people get to the top of the switchback and you can find a nice little sitting gem to stop and eat lunch, take pictures and relax if you don’t want to continue hiking up hill. From this viewing pointing you’ll find awesome vistas unobscured in all directions. If it’s solitude that you seek, be sure that you can find it here near these stunning mountains.
View from the top of the pass, this is the view that you see after the switchback.
As I pack my things up from an awesome quick rest and snack, we continue on our way. The next part is downhill, until we hit a creek with a wooden bridge. on my hike I decided to get water here at this creek with a bridge (see gallery left).The water here is so fresh and pristine I decided to fill up here before continuing . After the creek, it’s all up hill until you pass by Brainerd lake and reach Finger lake, so this is the last rest before the final push.
While walking I feel extremely fortunate to see this beautiful place. Looking around, I allow myself to feel the smallness of life and I contemplate it even if for just one moment. I’ve noticed these fleeting moments come seldom in our busy lives now a days.
Getting to Brainerd lake was a really cool and rewarding achievement, this lake was beautiful and very peaceful. I spent a few moments here to enjoy the wildness of it all before continuing up the scramble of the hike (should you wish to do it).
As I walked around Brainerd lake towards the scramble, I wanted to gather a lot of pictures to share the experience of what the scramble looks like and more importantly how to get up there as I know there isn’t much information out there. This is s class 3 or 4 scramble and it’s about a 700 feet gain, its really fun though. This part of the trail requires for you to be attentive as the rock is lose and may roll back causing other displacement. There are multiple ways to get up to the summit of this last part on the trail, yet; they mostly converge on the way up. If you are aware enough you can also find the kerns left behind by others who want to help mark the trail. In the gallery besides, I’ve marked the trail roughly to help you find an easy approach to Finger Lake.
Once at the summit I was in awe of the beautiful views and vistas around me. After a long drive and hike I was ready to enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing next to this glacier lake. Getting to the summit of the hike was definitely a challenge but I couldn’t have been happier about the experience and becoming mentally and physically tougher. Sometimes, while walking up I think to myself, why am I putting myself through this? Then I see the views and the pain goes away and I want to keep going! It keeps me feeling alive and wanting to see more and more of the world I live in and it feels really amazing to be able to get there by foot.
After a long day and a very long walk I am right back where I started in the morning 10 hours earlier. I was so tired by this point but I felt so rewarded about what I had done in a days work. On the way back I was very happy as its all downhill until the parking lot.
Exhausted and proud I begin my journey back to Las Vegas 4 and 1/2 hours away.