A Gem of the Sierras

Glacier Lodge, as described by its owner, is a gem of the Sierras.  Tucked away in Big Pine Canyon, next to Big Pine Creek, the little wood cabins of Glacier Lodge offer respite after a long day of hiking on the trails in neighboring Inyo National Forest.

XplorMor Expedition, A Stay at Glacier Lodge

The rustic charm is evident as soon as you wind up the drive to check in at the main office cabin.  There's piles of wood, for guests to have personal fires in the evening outside their cabins, and a small shop offering limited supplies, and dine out food.  They'll even deliver orders right to your cabin which after a long day hiking was much appreciated!   The friendly staff offered excellent service, and truly made every effort to accommodate our needs (thank you!).

Alternately, each cabin is equipped with a kitchen and most cooking utensils, so you may prepare your own meals.  Make sure to stop in Big Pine for groceries as there's minimal offered at the Lodge.

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XplorMor Expedition, A Stay at Glacier Lodge

A Hiker's Promised Land

Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail in Inyo National Forest, California has it all: from spectacular views of 14+ lakes, 14,000 ft. mountain peaks, and access to the southernmost glacier in the United States and the largest in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Palisade Glacier.  There are flowing rivers and waterfalls, rocky switchbacks, Golden Trout, Jeffrey and Lodgepole pines, Aspens, a gorgeous rock cabin built by Lon Chaney Sr. and glacier-fed lakes.  This trail is truly a nature lover's paradise.

Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail

John Muir once said, “The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness."  Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail gives life to these words.  From the moment your car leaves the 395 at Big Pine, California and heads into Big Pine Canyon, it's clear another world awaits; the further into the canyon, the clearer the vision.  The road ends at the parking area for Inyo National Forest, and the trailhead for accessing Big Pine Creek North and South Fork trails.

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Second Lake

Petroglyphs at Fossil Falls

While driving on the 395 headed to Mono Lake and Inyo National Forest, an XplorMor Team member noticed the sign for Fossil Falls near a giant red cinder cone to the right off the highway.  They quickly googled for more info as I turned the car off the highway and onto the dirt road.  The Internet said we'd find a trail and interesting rock formations at the falls.  What that particular site failed to mention is that Fossil Falls is a dry creek bed; water hasn't run through it for ages.  Yet, there's plenty of signs to show how fiercely it once ran.

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Fossil Falls rock formations were clearly carved and etched and smoothed over much time by the river that used to run through the valley from snow melt of the nearby Coso Mountain range.  We climbed down into crevasses and wound ourselves around the winding stone, and into the valley floor, exploring the facets and caves as we went.  We even came across some unexpected petroglyphs of animals.  A great find!

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Read more and watch the XplorMor Expedition Slideshow.

Shutout but not Shutdown

The planned XplorMor photo-expedition to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was thwarted by the U.S. government shutdown.  We had to think quickly as we were already enroute to the parks.  Thanks to Starbucks and WiFi, we soon discovered another option: Mono Lake and other California State and Local Parks.

South Tufa Trail, Mono Lake, California

We re-routed our journey, and set course a little disoriented, yet optimistic.  Apparently we were not alone, encountering locals and travelers from Californians to Englishmen to Eastern Europeans to a Japanese couple who were also adrift and uncertain how to reorient themselves.  As the days unfold, Good Fortune seems to have followed along for the duration with one lovely adventure leading into the next.  Even the weather has behaved beautifully. And instead of another trip to Sequoia, though beautiful and worthy of numerous visits, the new destinations are exactly that: new.  Finding places and trails and scenic views not previously experienced adds to the excitement.

Lundy Canyon Trail

There has been exceptional photo opportunities and memory-making moments to share.  So with life's lemons, we made tasty lemonade and despite the shutout, we were not shutdown.

View slideshows and read more about Inyo National Forest.