Bishop Pass from South Lake: 4 Day Backpacking Adventure

Bishop Pass from South Lake Trailhead: A Dog-Friendly Guide

Ready to embark on an unforgettable dog-friendly hiking trip in the breathtaking Eastern Sierras? Join us as we explore the rugged beauty of the Inyo-White Mountain Range. Our 14-year-old senior dog, Boscoe, is tagging along for this epic journey!

*Note: We’ve planned our itinerary with Boscoe’s comfort in mind, keeping our daily hikes to 2-3 miles. We also took turns exploring the surrounding areas from our campsite while one of us stays with Boscoe. If you’re up for a longer adventure, you can easily adjust the mileage to suit your fitness level!

The best time to visit Bishop Pass is mid-to-late August. The summer heat has subsided, and the pesky mosquitoes are less of a problem. We learned this the hard way in July, when we were swarmed and couldn’t spend much time outdoors in the afternoon.

Bishop Pass: A Sierra Nevada Gem

Imagine standing atop a towering mountain pass, surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery. That’s the magic of Bishop Pass, a renowned high-altitude destination in the Eastern Sierra Nevada of California. Nestled on the border of Inyo National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, Bishop Pass offers panoramic views of crystal-clear lakes, rugged peaks, and pristine wilderness.

Explore the stunning alpine lakes that dot the landscape, including Long Lake, Treasure Lakes, and the Chocolate Lakes. Cast a line for a chance to catch trout in these pristine waters. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, such as deer, marmots, and even the occasional black bear. And when the day is done, set up camp under a canopy of stars and enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness.

Bishop Pass also serves as a gateway to the legendary John Muir Trail, a hiking route that stretches across the Sierra Nevada. Whether you’re looking for a multi-day adventure or a shorter day hike, Bishop Pass offers something for everyone!

Day 1: Camping at Long Lake and Chocolate Adventure

We camped the night before at Willow Campground, a convenient spot just under 10 minutes away from our starting point: South Lake Trailhead. There’s a designated parking lot near the trailhead for overnight campers.

Our adventure begins at the South Lake Trailhead, where towering granite peaks and crystal-clear waters set the stage for an unforgettable experience.

South Lake Trailhead to Long Lake California

• Distance: Approximately 2-7 miles
• Elevation Gain: Around 1,000 -1,900 feet
• Altitude: South Lake starts at 9,750 feet, Long Lake – 10,758 feet, Chocolate Peak – 11,682 feet.

The hike begins at the southern end of the trailhead parking area, where the Bishop Pass trail starts with a gentle descent before climbing steadily along the east side of South Lake. As you ascend, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Hurd Peak, Mount Thompson, and Mount Goode.

At 0.7 miles, you’ll enter the John Muir Wilderness and reach the junction with the Treasure Lakes trail. For a shorter but equally rewarding adventure, check out my blog post on Backpacking Treasure Lakes California.

Continuing on the Bishop Pass trail, you’ll cross a small bridge and climb a series of moderately steep switchbacks. Soon, you’ll reach a junction with the path to Bull Lake and Chocolate Lake at 1.7 miles.

Past the junction, the grade becomes more gradual as you traverse a meadow with a scenic tarn. To the east/southeast, enjoy stunning views of the jagged peaks of the Inconsolable Range rising above Chocolate Lake. At 2.0 miles, you’ll arrive at the northern end of scenic Long Lake.

Our first campsite, Long Lake, is a peaceful haven nestled just 2 miles into the trail. It’s the perfect spot to relax, stargaze, and recharge before tackling the Chocolate Lakes Loop (around 4 miles). For those seeking an extra challenge, consider adding a scramble up to Chocolate Peak for breathtaking views of the Bishop Creek. For a shorter hike, head to nearby Bull Lake for more alpine lake adventures.

The scramble up to Chocolate Peak from the main loop is a bit off-the-beaten-path, so be prepared to navigate some rocky terrain. It’s a bit of an adventure, but the panoramic views are well worth the extra effort, especially if you’re not planning to continue on to Bishop Pass.

Day 2: Exploring Bishop Lake

After a peaceful night under the stars at Long Lake, we were energized to explore more of this alpine wonderland. Bishop Lake, just 2 miles away, is our next destination.

Long Lake to Bishop Lake

• Distance: 2-3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 500 feet
• Altitude: Bishop Lake is 11,240 feet.

As we hiked along the lake’s eastern shore, we couldn’t resist stopping to admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. At the south end of Long Lake, the trail resumes its ascent, traversing a rocky hillside above Spearhead Lake and climbing a series of switchbacks. The effort is rewarded with the sight of the Timberline Tarns, a group of picturesque alpine lakes nestled in a rocky basin.

Following the trail around the western side of the lower tarn, we ascended beside a pretty waterfall to reach Saddlerock Lake (11,128 ft.) at 3.6 miles. This stunning lake is surrounded by rugged granite peaks and decorated with clusters of stunted whitebark pines.

After crossing Saddlerock Lake’s outlet stream on a footbridge, we continued along its eastern shoreline until reaching Bishop Lake (4.1 miles from the trailhead). This dramatic glacial scoured basin is a sight to behold, with Mount Goode and Mount No Goode filling the skyline to the west and the jagged peaks of Mount Agassiz looming above.

Bishop Lake is a hiker’s paradise, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing on its shores. The lake is pretty big, so we spent the afternoon exploring and scrambling along the rocky shores. It’s the perfect place to relax and recharge before tackling the final leg of our adventure: the summit of Bishop Pass.

Day 3: Summiting Bishop Pass

• Distance: Approximately 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: Around 732 feet
• Altitude: Bishop Pass – 11,972 ft

Today’s adventure takes us to the iconic Bishop Pass, a challenging but rewarding hike that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The best part? It starts right next to our campsite!

As we begin our ascent from Bishop Lake, the trail climbs along the slope above the eastern side of the lake. At the head of the lake, we rock-hop across the outlet stream and start our climb towards the wall at the head of the basin. Switchbacks help us navigate the rocky hillside, and the views of the surrounding lakes and peaks are simply breathtaking.

The trail becomes steeper as we approach the granite wall, navigating a landscape covered in large boulders and slabs. Don’t forget to turn around and enjoy the panoramic vistas of the Bishop and Saddlerock Lakes basin, as well as the jagged pinnacles of the Inconsolable Range.

As we scale the granite wall, we’re surrounded by the towering peaks of Mount Agassiz and Aperture Peak. Near the top, the grade moderates, and we make our final push to the pass, ascending a broad plateau through rocky terrain.

Reaching Bishop Pass (11,972-ft.) is a rewarding experience. From here, we’re treated to stunning views southwest towards the peaks along the Black Divide and the towering Mt. Agassiz to the east.

For even more expansive views, I recommend hiking down the south side of the pass towards Dusy Basin for a quarter mile. There’s an obvious use trail that leads to a viewpoint with panoramic vistas of Dusy Basin and the Black Divide.

Beyond the viewpoint, the trail descends to Dusy Basin and then drops to Le Conte Canyon on steep switchbacks to meet the John Muir Trail, 6.0 miles from the pass after losing around 3,200-ft.

With Boscoe joining us on this adventure, we had to take turns tackling Bishop Pass. My mom went up early in the morning while I slept in and started breaking down our camp. Then I went up while she started heading back to Long Lake with Boscoe. After my climb, I grabbed my backpack and met up with them again for the night back at Long Lake.

Day 4: Farewell to the Eastern Sierras

It’s time to say goodbye to our mountain home, but we’ll never forget the incredible memories we made here. As we pack up camp and head back to the trailhead, we take one last look at the majestic peaks that have watched over us for the past few days.

If you’re thinking about taking your dog on a hiking adventure, I highly recommend it! It’s a fantastic way to bond with your furry friend and create memories that will last a lifetime. Remember to plan ahead, pack appropriately, and most importantly, enjoy the journey together!

Packing Essentials:

• Permits: For over night stays, you’ll need to get a permit. Snag a wilderness permit online from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center beforehand (especially during peak season!). No worries if you miss the initial window – there’s a second chance with reserved permits released two weeks before your hike.
• Gear: Lightweight backpacking tent, sleeping bag, stove, cookware, and comfortable hiking boots are essential.
• Food: Opt for lightweight, freeze-dried meals for easy meal prep. Don’t forget treats for your furry companion!
• Dog Essentials: Plenty of water, food, and a comfortable mat for your senior pup.
• Weather Preparedness: Pack a rain jacket and prepare for changing weather conditions.