Backpacking/Camping/Day hiking Big Pine Creek

Come join exploring awesome Big Pines Lakes, North Fork area.
Participants choose either backpacking Big Pines Lakes North Fork OR car camping at Big Pines Creek Campground with day hiking. When signing up, you will be added to the wait list. Please state in the comments whether you are wanting to backpack or car camp/day hike. Please note if the snow levels are too high, we will all be camping and day hiking.

Our Backpacking Plan:
Friday, May 16 camp at Big Pine Creek campground to acclimate. Campsite fee is in addition to the permit fee. Campsite fee determined by how many people are in the site. Campsite #27 & #14. $60 each is paid by Pam and Donna.
Saturday, May 17 we will be hiking to fifth lake about 6.5 miles and camp there. Meet at Big Pine Creek North Fork trailhead, time TBD.
Sunday, May 18 we will be exploring the 6th Lake and Summit Lake as day hikes, Pam will be fishing, so we will go slow, you need fishing license to fish, buy online.
[Inland Sport Fishing (ca.gov)](https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland) Attendees will decide if we move another lake this day.
Monday, May 19 we will loop around 4th Lake and Black Lake and exit trail and return home.

This backpack trip is approximately 14 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 3841 total feet.
This hike will be at 7,801 to 11,258 feet above sea level.

Pam obtained a backpacking permit for only 2 people. $16 paid. One spot is taken leaving one opening on permit. However, People may obtain their own permit directly from Recreation.gov (link below) if they would like to join. Additional permits will be released on Saturday, Aug 16 at 7:00am sharp. Permits will be gone by 7:01am. Please let us know in the comments if you are wanting to join us.
[Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits, Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262) Go to Explore Available permits. Get familiar with site before attempting to get permit. Message Pam or Donna if you need help.

Our Car Camping Plan:
Forest Service requires Friday and Saturday night stay for campsite reservations. We will be leaving camp early Saturday morning to start the backpacking trip. We should have room to add two additional people to the campsite, or you can book your own campsite. Link below.

Friday, May 16 camp at Big Pine Creek campground. Campsite fee determined by how many people are in the site. $60. paid for #27
Saturday, May 17 No Host hike Big Pine Creek North Fork trail
Sunday, May 18 exit and return home.
[Big Pine Creek Campground, Inyo National Forest - Recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232305)

It's a beautiful place. Here is the weather report link:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.56438000000003&lon=-118.78567999999996

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*** PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY *** No one in the group is a guide or in any way responsible for your comfort or safety. Please be prepared with adequate gear and supplies for the trip. Please remember that going out into wilderness has risks associated with it and you should be aware and prepared to address any changes in weather, road conditions or to look out for/avoid random acts of nature, including insects, wild animals and natural hazards. It is your responsibility to evaluate the difficulty of any activity you participate in, and decide whether you are prepared by having the experience, skill, knowledge, equipment, and the physical and emotional stamina to safely participate.

*** WAIVER OF LIABILITY *** The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Kern Valley Hiking Club Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.

By RSVPing you ARE agreeing to the above statements.