Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

The Kaweah Peaks Ridge with Black Kaweah on the left end of the horizon and broad Mt. Kaweah on the right horizon..

The West Side of the Pass

Mt. Whitney Trip from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. June 2000.

To the east it looked like a giant staircase leading down to the uppermost Big 5 Lakes. Above the uppermost Little 5 Lake was the obvious col leading to the upper Big 5 Lakes, which I immediately set my sights on as my next goal for the day. Some of the other Little 5 Lakes were visible, but were overshadowed by the view of the Kaweah peaks beyond, which I would be visiting just weeks hence. The trench of the Big Arroyo divided the lakes from the peaks beyond, and close examination revealed the High Sierra Trail connecting Nine Lakes Basin and Chagoopa Plateau, which I had hiked a few years back.

Little Five Lakes on the broad staircase below. The lake on the far right is the uppermost lake of Big Five lakes. Above the lakes in the picture is the wooded Chagoopa Plateau. The trail can be seen on the lower part of the picture.

I could spend hours writing about the awe-inspiring views of the Sierra Crest, the Kaweah group and the Great Western Divide, but suffice to say it is one of the most viewful trail passes in the Sierra and is not to be missed by anybody who loves the Sierra. I do hope the pictures do it justice.

The lake in the center is the uppermost lake of Big Five lakes. Below that lake can be seen the low col dividing Big Five Lakes from Little Five Lakes. I crossed that col. Note the Black Rock Pass trail below.

Moving right along, after my extended rest and visit with the group there at the summit of the pass, it was time to be moving right long. The group pushed on down the trail, and I could see a large group making its way towards me from the west. It was time to go. To the tune of snapping buckles and tightening straps, I hoisted my load and set my feet eastward down the trail.