21 Apr 2025 - Conditions Report: North Fork of Big Pine Creek & Numbered Lakes

Where's the snowline currently in the Eastern Sierra backcountry?

Our co-owner Matt went down to Big Pine to get in some in fitness and find out.

Here's his report:

Trip Report

Current As Of: 21 April 2025*

Spring has arrived here in the Eastern Sierra—at least down in the Owens Valley! I decided to pound out some miles to stay fit (and sane) in this crazy world. My objective for the day: head up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek, visit the Numbered Lakes, and soak in the always-stunning view of Temple Crag and the surrounding peaks.

I had a debate, mostly with myself and a little bit with my wife, on whether I should bring snowshoes, ice axe and crampons, or just go with boots and if conditions got bad, I could just turn around. I decided my Danner Crag Rat Evo Mountaineering Boots needed to be broken in more and left the snowshoes and crampons behind. I have a wide foot and these are available in an 2E wide. I found out about these last summer and decided to test them out. I knew I would be hiking around midday and the snow would be softer allowing their tread to grip and I would avoid snow too deep to require snowshoe flotation. Growing up in snowy New England, I'm no stranger to spring snow travel, but I did worry a bit about serious postholing.

The trail starts out mellow along the creek but quickly climbs into a series of switchbacks. About two miles in, just before the wilderness boundary, the first patches of snow appeared. As I reached the Black Lake and Numbered Lakes trail junction, the snow became more continuous. I chose the Black Lake trail, since its south-facing switchbacks were clearer, and I figured downhill snow travel would be easier later on.

I was right about the lack of snow up to the top of the switchbacks towards Black Lake but it turned to continuous snow at about the 10,000ft elevation mark. Even living at 4000 feet, I could feel the altitude pressing in, the breaths coming quicker. The snow travel was OK until I got near the lake and I started postholing! Not just to my knee, but all the way to my hip (so about 3 feet deep at least)! And then it was hard to get out. Should've brought the snowshoes.

Searching for firmer snow, I got away from the lake and the snow travel proved easier. No more deep postholing, just a few times here and there. I continued through the forest following some old crampon tracks and some animal tracks - possible mountain lion! It is always a pleasure to see evidence of the local animal life around. My head soon started to throb from the altitude. Navigation is always interesting in the snow as there are little signs or context clues to help. A tree or log that was cut with a saw or even a few rocks sticking out of the snow in a line can appear like it was manmade - always tricky signs. I headed towards Fourth Lake in continuous snow and decided that the fitness mission of the day had been accomplished and the time had come to turn back. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, there was a haul bag not to far from the trail as I turned around. It looked like it was abandoned or lost in a previous year, but not in bad shape. I left it just in case someone else out there was expecting to find it on their return back to the trailhead.

It was mostly continuous snow back to the Black Lake Junction. There were ski tracks further up in the drainage west of Temple Crag. A couple more skiers were hiking up the trail. I stopped for lunch at Second Lake and took a few pictures. I started hiking back down and heard loud music. Four people looking like they just got out of a fashion show. Can't say I am a fan of blasting loud music in the wilderness, but to each their own. I continued back down to the parking lot, seeing about 15 people for the day.

The Danner Crag Rat Evo's held up well. For a first trip, they felt good and I got zero rubbing. It's nice to finally have a wide mountaineering boot here at the store and I happily recommend them for others!!!

On the way back, I decided to stop at Copper Top in Big Pine, CA—arguably the best BBQ in California. A great ending to a great spring day.

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If you're curious about the boots worn by Matt on this trip—the Danner Crag Rat Evo—you can found them online here or come try them on in person at the store. With a waterproof Gore-Tex liner, Vibram outsole, and a supportive yet roomy fit (including wide sizes), they’re built for snowy spring hikes and rugged terrain. Worth checking out for your next adventure.

As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if ever in need of adventure ideas or conditions information!

(And if you need any gear to prepare for your own Eastern Sierra adventure, we got you covered with free shipping! All you have to do is join our email list and place your order with us online.)

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The majestic Temple Crag in full splendor!

Still plenty of ice coverage on each of the lakes, even the ones closest to the trailhead!

Looking down at Second Lake from the Black Lake Trail

  

Temple Crag and the Danner Crag Rat Evo Wide Mountaineering Boots from the Black Lake Trail during a lunch stop.

  

Possible track evidence of a mountain lion in the area

 

Recognize this climbing haul bag? It may still be there for you if you hike to go get it!

  

*All trip/conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.