Sign ups are first come first serve! Links will open at 9PM sharp on Sunday.
The Big Pine Lakes, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, attribute their vibrant turquoise color to the Palisade glacier. Join this trip if you want to see some epic views of the mountains, hike past three glacier-fed lakes, take a cold plunge, and enjoy two nights of warm campfire at a pretty campsite. We will camp Friday and Saturday night at the Big Pine Creek Campground, leaving early Saturday morning for our ~11 mile hike and spending the whole day exploring the lakes and taking in the sights. The trail starts at an altitude of 7,600 feet. To reach Third Lake, you will gain about 2,650 more feet, giving access to sweeping views of the mountains and lower lakes!
PACKING LIST:
Breakfast on Friday
Day pack (backpack) for ~11 mile hike to store water, snacks, etc.
Sun Protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Sturdy shoes/hiking boots for hiking
Optional (but reccommended): snacks, portable charger (no electricity at campsites), camera
WARM clothes (Layers!!!)
Water
Waivers
*A more complete packing list and itinerary will be emailed after sign-ups!
WE WILL PROVIDE:
MEALS:
Dinner on Friday
All 3 meals on Saturday
Breakfast on Sunday
Cooking supplies
Tent
Sleeping pad
Sleeping Bag
Great vibes, great memories
PROFESSOR: Juliana McGene
DEPARTMENT: Sociology
RATE MY PROFESSOR:
"She get's you hooked so fast. an enthusiastic and kind person. lectures are resourceful + funny + a pinch of sarcasm"
“S-tier teaching, so engaging and funny.“
Professor McGene is an Associate Professor of Sociology and is known for her engaging lectures, kindness, and sense of humor. She is an outdoors enthusiast who loves to go on hikes and camps, and has already been on some great trips with Peaks. Chat to her about the intriguing nature of sociology or ask for some great life advice!
PEAK: Big Pine Lakes (Inyo National Forest)
DIFFICULTY: 3.75/5
SCENERY: dramatic mountanous crags, green forests, turqouise-blue glacial lakes
WILDLIFE: deer, marmots, chipmunks
FUN FACT: The lake color appears so blue because it is fed from glacial runoff from the nearby Palisade Glacier, which is the southernmost glacier on the continent!
TRIP LEAD: MAIA PAYNE
GET STOKED FOR AN EPIC TRIP!!!!!!
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, trip or non-trip related. Can’t wait to meet you!
Contact Maia: mmpayne@usc.edu
Read Maia’s bio here.