Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
2.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About First Falls
First Falls is a cascade on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek in Inyo National Forest, near the end of Glacier Lodge Road about 10 miles west of Big Pine. It is the first waterfall on the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail, roughly a mile up the trail from the road-end trailhead, and its flow peaks with snowmelt in late spring and early summer. A picnic area at the end of Glacier Lodge Road sits near the base.
The Setting
First Falls sits at 8,251 feet within Inyo National Forest, in the high alpine of California.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate hike follows North Fork Big Pine Creek (#3205), a 2.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
NORTH FORK BIG PINE CREEK #3205
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.01 miTrail Description
Follow the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail from the trailhead at the end of Glacier Lodge Road; First Falls comes a little more than a mile up the trail, where the trail bends north above Glacier Lodge and a spur drops to the picnic area near the falls. The south-facing canyon can be hot in summer. Day hikes need no wilderness permit.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at First Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Inyo National Forest trails and must be leashed in developed recreation sites such as the trailhead and campgrounds.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at First Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring is the best time to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt and seasonal rains.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Inyo National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Watch for slippery rocks near the waterfall and stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost. Carry a map or GPS device and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Big Pine hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 144 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 8,234 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 298 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 92 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 8,234 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 144 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From US 395 in Big Pine, take Crocker Avenue, which becomes Glacier Lodge Road, west about 10 to 11 miles to its end at the Big Pine Creek trailheads near Glacier Lodge.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Day-use parking is at the road-end trailhead. Overnight hikers must use the backpacker lot about half a mile down the road.
Elevation
8,251 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.126321° N, -118.445105° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Start your hike early to avoid crowds and bring plenty of water. Be prepared for uneven terrain and check weather conditions before heading out.
This trail sits at 8,251 ft — the air is noticeably thinner
High AltitudeSome visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.
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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)
Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.
Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex
Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bishop by IHG
Comfort Inn Bishop
Cielo Hotel Bishop-Mammoth, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Quality Inn Bishop near Mammoth
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
UPPER SAGE FLAT
0.6 miles away · 21 sites
Overview Take the family to Upper Sage for a pleasant camping trip along the banks of Big Pine Creek. Here, visitors can experience the beauty of the creek that runs along the base of a narrow canyon. Visitors can swim or fish, in the creek that is stocked annually with trout, or head to a nearby lake for power boating.Recreation Rainbow, brown, brook and alpers trout swim in the stream, enticing anglers. Hikers are fans of the Big Pine Creek Trail, a 1.5-mile footpath that provides access to the
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near First Falls, California on SoakingSprings.
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Nearby Attractions
Second Falls is farther up the same trail, and the trail continues to the Big Pine Lakes in the John Muir Wilderness. Big Pine Creek, Upper Sage Flat and Sage Flat campgrounds are along Glacier Lodge Road.
Wildlife
The area may be home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of potential encounters with snakes or other wildlife.
Nearby Waterfalls
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