Baker Creek Campground, Big Pine, CA

View out our door

Nestled up against the base of the Sierras just east of Big Pine, at 4,000 ft., Baker Creek campground is rustic but easily accessed by any type of vehicle. We selected a spot on the eastern side, right on the creek, looking up at the mountains.

We're up there on the left, through the trees

Baker Creek flows down a tree lined course, slowed here and there with small flood gates that form a couple of nice pools. Very picturesque with the fall leaves reflecting off the clear water! Of course, the snowy vista added considerably to the charm, but it also added to the chill. It was 29 when we got up this morning. Three cheers for our Olympia Wave propane heater!!! This is a rustic campground so anything we can do to save power is a good move. That little heater warms the place up in no time, and no electricity required.

One of the pools on Baker Creek

Looking out the window toward town in the morning light I noticed a large area of rocky ground glittering like diamonds - worth investigating I thought. It turned out the dry wash just east of us had been used as a dump, over many years, and though the quantity of "stuff" isn't large it's spread over a fairly wide area. Browsing over the rusted and broken flotsam and jetsam of many years is a favorite desert pastime. How old is that can, that bottle, what was that oddly shaped piece of tin? The area has the usual bundles of old wire, an abandoned kitchen stove, auto bits, and who-knows-what under the surface of the ground. This is a really dog friendly area, and everyone from town brings their pooches out here in the evening for a run, so you can bet it's been pretty well picked over as far as anything collectible.

Remember when you opened a Coors this way?

This is definitely a campground we'll be returning too. There's a lot to do in the area, and it would serve well as a base camp for day trips. Next stop, the Lone Pine area.