Big Pine Lakes — Oct. 18, 2025

I’ve always wanted to do a late season trip up to Big Pine Lakes to see them when the glacial silt in the water is at its peak. I was itching to go for a hike but not feeling particularly motivated to do anything too intense so this day trip was a good compromise. The lighting this late in the season wasn’t great but otherwise this was a great trip for keeping the hiking muscles in shape!

Second Lake under a light coating of snow.

The trail had some minor snow which was easy to negotiate. I brought snowshoes out of an abundance of caution but didn’t end up needing them (and was the only person comically-overprepared with them). I made it to Second Lake in about 2.5 hours and took a long break on its shores before heading over to Third Lake to eat my lunch. I was shocked and a little bit disappointed to see that Third Lake was completely frozen over. By the time I had finished lunch, a very large group of hikers showed up and I quickly began my descent back to the trailhead. Will aim to do this one in late August or early September next summer.

—Justin