CALIFORNIA

Glacier in sunny California? Who would have thought there are actually several hundreds of glaciers in this state?  

Palisades Glacier Viewed from very far, from Big Pine Creek

And we still have not left Inyo County, we just moved from the desert to the Sierra.  Viewed from afar, Palisades Glacier looks small, yet it is 2.5 miles in length, 1 mile in width and several hundred feet thick! Palisades Glacier is the Southernmost glacier in the Western Hemisphere. It sits at an elevation of about 13,000 to 14,000 ft. It is located above Big Pine, CA, south of  Bishop Creek Canyon and west of Death Valley. Palisades Glacier is 8 miles above Big Pine. At the town of Big Pine, when we went there, the streets were still colorful from the autumnal hues.

Fall Color Still Alive @ Valley Floor in Big Pine

Fall Color Still Alive @ Valley Floor in Big Pine

However, as we moved up to Big Pine Creek, we were greeted by this at the start of the trail.

Icicles in the Creek

Devoid of Colors The Bitter Reality after the leaves had fallen

The hike to Palisades Glacier is actually just 9 miles, climbing 4000 ft and does not pose a lot of technical difficulties for climbers. However, since we are not seasoned ice climbers, and did not have the right outfit (no ski boots, no crampons) when we went to Eastern Sierra, thefore, we just content ourselves with a little hike along the Big Pine Creek.Though we did not make it to the glacier, but the little hike we did along the Big Pine Creek was exciting already. With rushing stream mixing with icicles along the creek,

the evergreen conifer forest,

and of course, the majestic wind whipped granite peaks of the Sierra. maybe next time we go back here in Big Pine, we can finally make it to the Southermost glacier in the Western Hemisphere.  If you want to read a happy trip report to Palisades Glacier and see closer pictures of Palisades glacier, please click Reiner Stenzel’s trip report.