On July 24, 1976 myself, Marty Nikolaus and Douglas Mull did an eleven mile round trip hike to Brainard Lake in the Middle Palisade area.
We left Lone Pine at 6 a.m., Independence at 6:30, and drove to the roadhead on Big Pine Creek. We hit the trail around 8 or 8:30 and made it to Brainard Lake about noon.
From the lake we cross-countried southerly in the easterly drainage and along the ridge running up to the crest - looking for an airplane wreck. Finally, on top of the ridge at about 11,800 we gave up on the plane wreck and settled for great views of the Middle Palisade glaciers - arriving about 2 p.m.
Middle Palisade Glacier consists of two glaciers less than .25-mile southeast of Norman Clyde Glacier and situated at an altitude of 12,700 feet, Middle Palisade Glacier is in the John Muir Wilderness of Inyo National Forest. 14,012-foot Middle Palisade and Disappointment Peak are immediately west of the glacier.
We messed around until about 3:30, then headed down the ridge via Finger Lake to pick up the trail at Brainard Lake. We ate at about 5 p.m. at the lake as a few sprinkles started to fall.
We made it back to the car about 7:45 p.m. and drove to Bishop for steaks at the Sizzler before heading home. It was an enjoyable trip - great views of the glaciers.
