Fifth Lake | Kampilo

About this place

Fifth Lake occupies a striking granite basin west of Fourth Lake at roughly 10,800 feet, surrounded on several sides by steep rocky slopes and the high ridges below Mount Robinson and the Inconsolable Range. Its deep, clear water contrasts with pale granite, talus, clusters of conifers, and patches of alpine vegetation around the shoreline. Compared with the more enclosed forest surrounding Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake has a more open landscape with expansive views across the water and toward the neighboring peaks. The lake sits just off the main route through the upper Big Pine Lakes basin and is connected with Fourth and Sixth Lakes by the network of trails crossing the high basin

Campfires & stoves

Campfire rules: Prohibited. California State Parks specifically states that fires are not permitted at the Avery’s Pond environmental campsites. Do not build a wood/charcoal campfire or a ground fire.
Stove rules: The Avery’s Pond page provides no stove-specific exception. Statewide State Parks rules allow portable camp stoves only in areas specifically approved for them; because the site page broadly states that fires are not permitted, do not assume a flame stove is authorized unless posted rules or park staff expressly approve it.

Human waste

Human waste rules: Bury solid human waste 6–8 inches deep and at least 100 feet from water sources, trails, and campsites.

Dogs

Dogs allowed?: Yes
Dog rules: Dogs are allowed. Keep dogs under control at all times; on wilderness trails they must be under strict leash or voice control, and any leash must be no longer than 6 ft. Leash dogs around packers, horses, and stock animals. Keep dogs in the tent at night. Bury dog waste at least 100 ft from water or trails. Dog food must be stored in a bear-resistant container or counterbalanced at least 15 ft above the ground and 10 ft horizontally from a tree trunk.

Fishing

Fishing allowed?: Yes
Fishing rules: Open all year. Trout: 5 per day; 10 in possession. Brook trout: open all year; limit 10; size limit less than 10 inches total length. Brook trout bag limits may be taken in addition to statewide trout daily and possession limits.
Fish species: Brook trout; Brown trout; Rainbow trout

Water planning

Water at this camp

Natural water at or near this camp area

Availability

Fifth Lake and Big Pine Lakes are mapped at or near the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.

Drinking safety

Natural water is not verified potable. Filter and disinfect it or boil it according to the linked land-manager guidance before drinking.

Seasonality

Fifth Lake is a mapped waterbody; USGS does not classify it here as seasonal or year-round. Confirm current level, access, and quality. Big Pine Lakes is a mapped waterbody; USGS does not classify it here as seasonal or year-round. Confirm current level, access, and quality.

Fifth LakeLake or pond · at the camp areaMapped waterbody — level and access can change · Treat before drinking
Official source
Big Pine LakesLake or pond · at the camp areaMapped waterbody — level and access can change · Treat before drinking
Official source

Seasonal access

Closures & seasonal access

High Sierra approaches can be snowbound well into summer, and several roads, shuttles, and remote spurs operate only seasonally

Place closure

No recurring date-based closure of Fifth Lake is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.

Seasonal access

Source-connected approach: Big Pine Creek North Fork Trailhead. High Sierra approaches can be snowbound well into summer, and several roads, shuttles, and remote spurs operate only seasonally. Desert and foothill entries may remain physically reachable in winter but can become unsafe in storms, heat, or after washouts.

Before driving

Check the exact county, highway, Forest Service road, gate, and shuttle status immediately before departure; a wilderness permit does not guarantee vehicle access.

Mapped approaches

Choose a trailhead for Fifth Lake camp area

Each option has a sourced trail route to this camp area. Choose one to open its itinerary builder with this destination in context.

Big Pine Creek North Fork Trailhead6.1 mi awayBuild from here

Map

Loading map

Latitude: 37.130782° N
Longitude: 118.508583° W

Sources