The trail takes hikers to Lakes 1 through 7. More information about other vehicle sizes and pass options is available on our website under Entrance Fees. At 1.5 miles is Clover Lake. The trail from Glacier Lodge slowly climbs into the alpine. You should be confident in your mountaineering skills if you want to make the hike up Middle Palisade, and be sure to do plenty of research on this peak before summiting. Palisade Glacier High Camp! Explore Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and unparalleled views. The trail crosses the North Fork here in the middle of a meadow with a fantastic view of Temple Crag. You start higher up on the hillside, and then after several miles the trail converges with the creek at a waterfall. Temple Crag looms over the trail and can be seen before one even reaches the first lake. While each of California’s remaining glaciers offer their own individual logistical challenges, the Palisade Glacier is one of the easiest to visit from May to mid-October. The trail starts across the road and heads downhill to Sunrise Lake, the first of many you’ll encounter. Contact Information. The Palisades region of the Sierra Nevada is located west of the town of Big Pine. It includes some of the highest mountains in California, including Thunderbolt Peak (4,267 m) with its subpeak Lightning Rod, North Palisade (4,341 m) with its subpeak Starlight Peak (4,328 m), Polemonium Peak (4,328 m), Mount Sill (4,316 m) and Mt Agassiz (4,234m). Palisade Glacier High Camp - 5 Days. Directions: The main route to the glacier is along the North Fork of Big Pine Creek, and can be hiked as either a long day trip (twenty miles roundtrip); or as part of a multi-day backpack through the lakes of the Big Pine basin.Visitors opting for the latter will need a permit from the National Forest service, which during the high season, are somewhat difficult to come by. The complete Palisades region spans from Taboose Pass in the South, up over Split Mountain (once called South Palisade) to the mighty peaks like Mt. Palisade Glacier. With the Special Use Permit, nonprofit groups are charged normal visitor entry fees for a 7 day pass for each vehicle with a capacity of 15 or fewer. What is somewhat misleading is the fact that the hike from Third Lake is only about 3 miles one way but the “Glacial Trail” ends about a half mile before the end of the climb to the view. Third Lake is fed directly from the Palisade Glacier, causing it to be a milky turquoise color. The Palisades are the most rugged and “alpine” ridge on the Sierra crest. Note: A permit is required to hike Mt. It’s nice, but keep going. Attn: Special Use Permit Office Glacier National Park PO Box 128 West Glacier, MT 59936. 760-873-2400 . Contact Us Inyo National Forest 351 Pacu Lane Suite 200 Bishop, CA 93514. The glacier is located in a cirque below several 14’ers including Mount Sill, Thunderbolt Peak, North Palisade, Polemonium Peak. Glacier travel also might be required on Middle Palisade (depending on when you go), and you will need to do lots of 3rd class scrambling in order to summit. Passing over rocky sections of trail, listen and look for pikas; if you’re quiet you’ll be able to spot them. Mileages from the trailhead (one-way): First Lake - 4.5 miles/9900' Second Lake - 4.8 miles/10,000' To get one, you’ll need to apply through a lottery system, which accepts applications from February 1 through March 15. 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