Bishop Pass from South Lake: 4 Day Backpacking Adventure

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

The summer is alpine hiking season —and I can’t stop thinking about one of my favorite trips: backpacking Bishop Pass from South Lake with my 14-year-old pup, Boscoe. 🐾

If you’ve been dreaming of sparkling alpine lakes, granite peaks, and peaceful campsites under the stars, this trail delivers—and yes, it’s totally doable with a dog (even a senior one)! We slowed things down for Boscoe’s comfort, keeping our daily mileage between 2–3 miles and taking turns exploring side trails from camp. But whether you’re planning a quick overnight or a multi-day adventure, you can easily adjust the route to match your pace.

Why Hike Bishop Pass from South Lake?

This trail is one of the true gems of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. It begins at the South Lake Trailhead and climbs steadily through jaw-dropping alpine scenery—glacial lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and high-altitude views that’ll stop you in your tracks. 🏔️

Nestled on the border of Inyo National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, Bishop Pass (11,972 ft ) offers panoramic views of crystal-clear lakes, rugged peaks, and pristine wilderness. It’s also a gateway to Dusy Basin and the legendary John Muir Trail, making it a perfect jumping-off point for longer backpacking trips.

Along the way, you’ll pass some of the Eastern Sierra’s most beautiful alpine lakes, including:

• Long Lake – a peaceful camping spot with sweeping mountain reflections
• Treasure Lakes – a short detour that’s worth every step
• Chocolate Lakes – quiet, less-traveled, and surrounded by dramatic cliffs

If you’re lucky, you might spot deer grazing nearby, marmots sunbathing on the rocks, or even the occasional black bear in the distance. 🎣 Want to fish? These high-altitude lakes are known for trout, so bring a rod if you’re licensed and up for it!

And at night, nothing beats setting up camp beneath a sky full of stars, wrapped in the quiet stillness of the wilderness.

The best time to visit Bishop Pass: Mid-to-late August is ideal. The heat has mellowed, the bugs have mostly disappeared, and the lakes are still vibrant. We made the mistake of going in July once—hello, mosquito madness. You’ve been warned!

Day 1: Camping at Long Lake and Chocolate Adventure

We kicked off our Bishop Pass backpacking trip the night before with a stay at Willow Campground, just under 10 minutes from the South Lake Trailhead. It’s a super convenient spot if you want to get an early start without the stress of morning driving.

There’s a designated overnight parking lot near the South Lake trailhead to leave your car at!

South Lake Trailhead to Long Lake California

• 📍 Distance: ~2–7 miles roundtrip (depending on add-ons)
• ⬆️ Elevation Gain: 1,000–1,900 ft
• 🏔️ Starting Elevation: 9,750 ft
• 🏕️ Long Lake Elevation: 10,758 ft
• 🍫 Chocolate Peak Elevation: 11,682 ft

Hitting the Trail

The hike begins at the southern end of the South Lake Trailhead parking area, where the Bishop Pass Trail gently descends before climbing steadily along the east side of South Lake. From the start, you’ll be treated to postcard-worthy views of jagged peaks like Hurd Peak, Mount Goode, and Mount Thompson.

At 0.7 miles, you’ll officially enter the John Muir Wilderness and pass the junction to Treasure Lakes. (If you’re short on time or looking for a shorter backpacking trip, I’ve got a separate post all about Backpacking Treasure Lakes!)

Camp at Long Lake Bishop ⛺

At about 2.0 miles, you’ll reach Long Lake—our first campsite and one of the most peaceful spots on the trail. It’s a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks, with flat spots perfect for pitching a tent, filtering water, and relaxing after the climb.

We set up camp here so Boscoe could rest, and from this base, we took turns exploring nearby trails.

Optional Side Adventure: Chocolate Lakes Loop + Chocolate Peak 🍫🏔️

If you’re up for more miles after setting up camp, don’t miss the Chocolate Lakes Loop (around 4 miles roundtrip from Long Lake). It’s quieter than the main trail and filled with scenic tarns, alpine meadows, and panoramic views of the Inconsolable Range.

Want even more of a challenge? Scramble up Chocolate Peak from the loop for an incredible bird’s-eye view of the Bishop Creek Basin. The trail is unmarked and a bit rugged, so be ready for loose rock and off-trail navigation. But if you’re not continuing to Bishop Pass the next day, this is a great way to experience a dramatic summit without a long haul.

Day 1 Summary:

• 🏕️ Camped at Long Lake
• 🥾 Explored Chocolate Lakes Loop
• 🐾 Let Boscoe relax while we adventured
• 📸 Took in some of the best views of the Inconsolable Range

Day 2: Bishop Lake Bliss & Alpine Exploring 💙🏞️

After a peaceful night stargazing at Long Lake, we woke up refreshed and ready for another beautiful day in the Sierra. Boscoe seemed extra cozy that morning, so we took our time packing up and soaking in the views before heading deeper into the backcountry.

Today’s goal: Bishop Lake, just a couple of miles up the trail—and one of the most scenic spots along the Bishop Pass from South Lake route.

Hiking Long Lake to Bishop Lake

• 🥾 Distance: ~2–3 miles
• ⬆️ Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
• 🏔️ Bishop Lake Elevation: 11,240 ft

The Climb Up

Leaving Long Lake, we followed the trail south, hugging the lake’s eastern shore. The reflections of nearby peaks in the still morning water were just unreal—and we stopped more than once just to take it all in. 📸

At the southern end of the lake, the trail starts to climb again, winding up a rocky slope above Spearhead Lake. The switchbacks here are short but steep, and as you gain elevation, the landscape opens up beautifully.

Soon, you’ll pass a cluster of small alpine lakes called the Timberline Tarns—tiny pools tucked into a granite basin that look like something out of a fairytale.

Saddlerock Lake & Waterfalls 💦

At around 3.6 miles from the trailhead, you’ll reach Saddlerock Lake (11,128 ft), framed by rugged cliffs and dotted with hardy whitebark pines. A small waterfall trickles down beside the trail here, adding the perfect soundtrack to the climb.

After crossing a footbridge over the lake’s outlet stream, the trail skirts the eastern shore before climbing gently toward our final destination of the day: Bishop Lake.

Arriving at Bishop Lake 🏕️🎣

Around 4.1 miles from South Lake, Bishop Lake appears like a sapphire bowl carved into the granite. With Mount Goode and Mount No Goode towering to the west and the jagged silhouette of Mount Agassiz looming above, the scene is nothing short of dramatic.

We spent the entire afternoon wandering the shoreline, scrambling across boulders, and just soaking up the high-altitude stillness. Boscoe happily napped in the shade while we took turns exploring further. If you’re into fishing or wild swimming, this is the spot—though be warned, the water is icy cold even in August!

Pro Tip: Bishop Lake is a great place to base yourself for a day or two. There are plenty of quiet corners to set up camp, and you’ll have a shorter push to the summit of Bishop Pass the next day. Plus, the views at golden hour are magical ✨

Day 3: Summiting Bishop Pass

Today was the day we’d been building toward—summiting Bishop Pass! At 11,972 feet, it’s the high point of the trail and one of the most iconic passes in the Eastern Sierra. And the best part? The trail to the top starts right from our campsite at Bishop Lake.

We had blue skies, cool alpine air, and that excited feeling you get when you’re heading into high country.

Bishop Lake to Bishop Pass

• 🥾 Distance: ~5 miles roundtrip
• ⬆️ Elevation Gain: ~732 ft
• 🏔️ Highest Elevation: 11,972 ft at Bishop Pass

The Climb to the Pass

Leaving our tents behind, we followed the trail as it climbs along the eastern shore of Bishop Lake, then rock-hopped across the outlet stream. From there, the ascent begins in earnest, with a series of steady switchbacks winding up the rocky slope toward the pass.

The views got better with every step—Saddlerock Lake, Bishop Lake, and the surrounding basin came into view below us, framed by the sharp peaks of the Inconsolable Range. Honestly, we stopped often just to look back and take it all in. (Also a great excuse to catch your breath at 11,000+ ft. 😉)

As we climbed, the landscape became more dramatic—scattered with giant granite boulders and slabs. The trail winds through this moonscape, gradually making its way toward the saddle between Mount Agassiz and Aperture Peak.

Reaching Bishop Pass 🎉

After one final push across a broad, rocky plateau, we reached the top of Bishop Pass—windblown, sun-soaked, and absolutely stunning. Views stretch for miles in every direction.

Looking west, you can see deep into Kings Canyon National Park and the peaks along the Black Divide. To the east, Mount Agassiz rises dramatically above the trail. This is a true Sierra highlight and such a rewarding moment after the climb.

Optional: Dusy Basin Viewpoint 🌄

If you’ve got a little more energy (and time), we highly recommend continuing about 0.25 miles down the south side of the pass toward Dusy Basin. There’s an easy-to-spot use trail that leads to an epic viewpoint with sweeping vistas over the entire basin and beyond.

From there, the trail continues all the way to Le Conte Canyon and the John Muir Trail, but be warned—it’s a 6-mile descent that drops over 3,000 feet. Definitely not part of our route this time, but a great option for thru-hikers or multi-pass adventurers.

Since Boscoe was with us—and 14 years old!—we took turns tackling the climb to Bishop Pass. My mom headed out early in the morning while I stayed behind, slept in a little (highly recommend at altitude 😅), and started packing up camp.

Once she returned, I grabbed my camera and trail snacks and set off while she and Boscoe began the slow, scenic hike back toward Long Lake. It worked out perfectly—we both got to summit, Boscoe got to rest, and we still made it back to camp by late afternoon for one last night under the stars. ✨

Day 4: Farewell to the Eastern Sierras

Our final morning in the mountains always feels a little bittersweet. After breakfast, we packed up camp, said goodbye to our peaceful lakeside spot, and started the hike back to the South Lake Trailhead.

Even though the trail is mostly downhill, we still took our time—soaking in the stillness of the alpine air and turning back often for one last look at the towering peaks that had been our backdrop for the past few days.

If you’re thinking about exploring Bishop Pass from South Lake with your dog, I can’t recommend it enough. With some planning and flexibility, it can be an amazing shared adventure. Boscoe might be a senior pup, but he loved every minute—sniffing pine-scented trails, napping by the lake, and just being outside with his humans.

This trip gave us some unforgettable memories 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, water filter and comfortable hiking boots are essential.
• Food: Opt for lightweight, freeze-dried meals for easy meal prep. Don’t forget treats for your pup
• 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.

Most importantly: enjoy the journey, take lots of photos, and don’t forget to look around once in a while. These mountains have a way of staying with you

P.S. Like the vibe of these photos?
I’ve turned some of my favorite travel shots into art prints over on my Etsy shop! Not every place I write about makes it into the shop, but if you’re into dreamy landscapes, vintage surfers, or just love a cute puffin, come take a look: Night Star Studio on Etsy