California's 'Little Patagonia' Is An Unexpected Region With Stunning Turquoise Glacial Lakes

While California is primarily known for surf and sand, it's also a terrific place for those seeking alpine destinations. Nowhere is this more true than in the Sierra Nevada, the mountain range that rises like a sheer granite wall in the eastern part of the state. An expansive mountain range, the Sierra Nevada is home to Yosemite National Park (and its "secret valley," Hetch Hetchy). It also includes Mount Whitney — the highest point in the Lower 48. But there's one other area tucked away in the Sierra that you won't want to miss: Big Pine Lakes. 

The Big Pine Lakes region is also known as "Little Patagonia" because of its resemblance to the scenic mountainous region in deep South America. Just a stone's throw from the town of Big Pine, Big Pine Lakes features pristine turquoise lakes, pine forests, streams, waterfalls, and an actual glacier spread out before a backdrop of 14,000-foot peaks.

While not as famous as Yosemite, Big Pine Lakes is not an undiscovered gem, so be aware that it can get crowded. It is possible to camp overnight, although you'll need a wilderness permit — and during the high season, the competition is fierce to get one. The most common way to enjoy Big Pine Lakes is with a day hike. That said, the region is home to paths that can be explored on foot, via bicycle, or on the back of a horse, and the famous alpine lakes are perfect for swimming, kayaking, fly fishing, or just gazing out onto their glassy surface and contemplating the pure beauty of it all.

Situated between the Inyo National Forest and the spectacular mountain town of Mammoth Lakes, Big Pine Lakes is made up of seven numbered lakes, along with other glacially-fed freshwater bodies. These can all be accessed via the Big Pine Lakes Trail, a 14-mile out-and-back path that follows the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. Each lake presents its own charms, with deep azure waters and sheer rock walls that only add to the dramatic ambience that the Sierra offers in spades.

Perhaps most impressive is the Palisade Glacier, the largest glacier in the Sierra Nevada. While no easy feat, reaching the glacier is doable with planning, determination, and the right gear. It's a 19-mile round-trip hike from the Big Pine North Fork Trailhead, or just 8 miles from Second Lake. While the trek can theoretically be done in one day, the hike is long and challenging. Therefore, it would be best to include a jaunt to Palisade Glacier as part of a multi-day backpacking excursion, especially if you want to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty.

One of the things that makes Big Pine Lakes such an extraordinary place is the towering mountains that watch over it and feed the glacier. Four awe-inspiring peaks — North Palisade, Polemonium Peak, Middle Palisade, and Mount Sill — stand like granite sentinels, reminding visitors of the grandeur that makes the Sierra Nevada such an extraordinary place.

While hiking is the premier activity in Big Pine Lakes, anglers also flock to the area in hopes of hooking a monster catch. The lakes are home to populations of four varieties of trout: brook, brown, rainbow, and the elusive golden, which is native to California and the official state fish. These game fish can be caught on both spinning and fly rods — just make sure you have a license and that you're up to date with the local regulations.

Other attractions near the trailhead include the Lon Chaney House, a historic log cabin that was the famous actor's private retreat (and is now open to the public), as well as developed campground Glacier Lodge boasting family-friendly activities. Two impressive cascades — First Falls and Second Falls — can be reached via a 4-mile round-trip hike, while First Lake is a 9.5-mile out-and-back excursion.

To get to Big Pine Lakes, head to the nearby town of Big Pine, which is a four-hour drive from Los Angeles. The Big Pine Creek trailhead is just 20 minutes up Glacier Lodge Road, making the area remarkably easy to access. For more of the jaw-dropping wonder the Sierra Nevada has to offer, check out Kings Canyon National Park, home to some of the largest trees in the world.