Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Palisades Glacier Hikes

I am going with a few buddies to hike in the area of Palisades Glacier. We don't want to do more than 10 or so miles in that we have the Whitney permit for 8/14 so we need to be some what fresh. Any suggestions as to hikeing around the Palisades Glacier lakes and getting close enough to see the glacier itself?

I hiked up that way two weeks ago. If you take Big Pine Creek North Fork a 10 mile round trip won't get you to the glacier, but you can get to Second or Third Lake (it's 4.5 miles to First Lake)and you will be over 10000 feet. It's a nice hike. Bring a fishing pole and mosquito repellent.

Thanks for the heads up. At what point does the GLACIER come into view? When you say loop are you going out the same way you came in? We are doing the M W one day thursday and want to do a one day glacier hike the previous tuesday. With only one day rest between we will probably need to limit the glacier to 10-14 miles. Will we see the glacier with that as a limitation or how far will we have to go?

As I recall the glacier is visible from the road end and once you start up the North Fork trail you lose sight of it until after you get past the second or third lake. Here is a map link:
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/skimt/trips/palglr99/PalGlac-map.htm
If you have the energy and time to hike to Sam Mack Meadow I think you will be in good position to view the glacier. I haven't gone beyond second lake myself.
This is an up and back trail, not a loop, and can be done in a full day.