How to get to Sam Mack Meadow, North Fork Big Pine Creek

​How to get to Sam Mack Meadow, North fork Big Pine Creek, Eastern Sierras: A year before you do this hike, hike to the Big Pine Lakes and ask fellow hikers where they are hiking to. When they respond “Sam Mack Meadow,” pretend that you know what they are talking about, think it sounds far, and look it up later. Search the internet for any information on this place, which is really little information because most people just go to the picturesque Big Pine Lakes. Finally find a good map and begin planning. Obtain Big Pine permits exactly six months out to the day and round up hiking/backpacking friends. Begin the hike early in the morning and hike over 8 miles and 4000 feet in elevation gain, through a hot desert start, through beautiful forests full of wildflowers and butterflies, and past turquoise, jaw droppingly pretty lakes. Continue left past a sign that reads “glacier,” over an adorable footbridge, scramble up granite boulders, while an underground river flows beneath the granite rocks that look like a huge rock slide, and hike on very rocky trail. When you arrive at Sam Mack Meadow, exclaim, “Wow, now I know why people said go here!” Look for fairies, find large frogs, wonder where the trail goes, and set up camp towards the back of the meadow. After camp is set up it will start to hail, larger than pea sized hail, then it will start to pour rain. Complain, whine, and cry. How can the weather be this bad in such a beautiful place and why am I letting it get to me. Try to fill up a water bottle in the ice cold river and cry some more because it is the coldest water you have every felt. Thank your friend for saving the day and filling it up for you. Dig a trench to keep water away from your tent, huddle in you tiny tent with your fearless friends, play cards, fall asleep to the sound of rain. Wake up the next day with blue skies in one of the most beautiful places that you have ever been. Thank Mother Nature. Continue your adventure.