Overview
The Bishop Pass Trail is a classic Inyo National Forest hike that delivers everything the Eastern Sierra is known for: crystal-clear alpine lakes, towering granite peaks, and a high mountain pass with views that stretch for miles. It's frequently mentioned in the best hikes near Los Angeles guide as one of the top Eastern Sierra day trips accessible from Southern California. The 12-mile out-and-back climbs from South Lake (9,755 feet) to Bishop Pass at 11,972 feet, gaining about 2,600 feet of elevation. Along the way, you pass Long Lake, Saddlerock Lake, and Bishop Lake, each one sitting in a progressively more dramatic granite basin.
From the pass, you look down into Dusy Basin on the western side, a boulder-strewn alpine wonderland that drops into the heart of Kings Canyon National Park. The basin is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Sierra, and seeing it in person is genuinely breathtaking. Dusy Basin is also where backpackers begin the descent toward Le Conte Canyon and the John Muir Trail, making Bishop Pass one of the Sierra's great crossover points between the Eastern Sierra and the Kings Canyon backcountry.
This trail is rated strenuous primarily because of its length, altitude, and the sustained climbing above Bishop Lake. The first four miles are relatively gentle, which can create a false sense of ease. The last two miles to the pass are where the real work happens.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1: South Lake to Long Lake junction (10,100 ft). The trail starts at the South Lake Trailhead at the end of South Lake Road, a paved parking area at 9,755 feet. The first mile is the busiest section, shared with hikers heading to Treasure Lakes and other nearby destinations. The trail climbs gently through a sparse forest of lodgepole pine and whitebark pine, with views of South Lake below and the peaks of the Bishop Creek drainage above. At about one mile, the trail to Treasure Lakes branches left. Stay right for Bishop Pass.
Miles 1 to 2.5: Long Lake (10,753 ft). The trail parallels the eastern shore of Long Lake for over a mile. This is one of the most scenic stretches of any trail in the Eastern Sierra. The lake is a deep blue, nearly a mile long, and backed by the jagged ridgeline of the Inconsolable Range. Wildflowers line the trail in late July: shooting stars, columbine, and Sierra primrose. The grade is moderate here, gaining elevation gradually as you walk alongside the water.
Miles 2.5 to 3.5: Saddlerock Lake (10,900 ft). Past the upper end of Long Lake, the trail climbs through a rocky transition zone and reaches Saddlerock Lake. The scenery shifts here from relatively lush meadow to bare granite and talus. Saddlerock Lake sits in a stark, beautiful basin beneath the towering walls of the Inconsolable Range. The lake is smaller and less visited than Long Lake, and it makes a good stopping point for hikers who want a moderate day (7 miles round trip, about 1,200 feet of gain).
Miles 3.5 to 4.5: Bishop Lake (11,200 ft). The trail continues climbing through increasingly alpine terrain, passing above timberline. Scattered whitebark pines give way to nothing but rock, water, and sky. Bishop Lake appears at about 11,200 feet, a deep blue pool in a granite bowl directly below the pass. The scale of the surrounding peaks is immense. This is another natural turnaround point (9 miles round trip, 1,450 feet of gain), and many hikers are satisfied with the views from Bishop Lake.
Miles 4.5 to 6: Bishop Lake to Bishop Pass (11,972 ft). The final stretch to the pass is the most demanding section. The trail climbs steeply through a boulder field, switchbacking up the headwall above Bishop Lake. The terrain is rocky and exposed, with loose talus in places. Snow can linger on these switchbacks into mid-July. The air is thin at nearly 12,000 feet, and the combination of altitude and steep grade makes this section slow going for most hikers. Take your time, rest often, and drink water consistently.
At the pass, the effort pays off. The view west into Dusy Basin is the reward: a sprawling alpine basin studded with lakes and boulders, dropping away toward the Palisade peaks and the heart of Kings Canyon. To the east, you can see back down the chain of lakes you just climbed past, with the White Mountains and the Owens Valley in the distant background. On clear days, the panorama is one of the finest viewpoints in the entire Sierra Nevada.
Descent: Return the same way. The descent alongside Long Lake is a particularly pleasant stretch to end the hike. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the return trip.
Permit Requirements
A wilderness permit is required for all hikers (day and overnight) entering the John Muir Wilderness via the Bishop Pass Trail. The trailhead operates under a daily quota system.
- Day-hike permits: $5 per person through Recreation.gov. The Bishop Pass quota is competitive on summer weekends. Reserve in advance if possible.
- Overnight permits: $5 per person through Recreation.gov. Reservations open six months in advance on a rolling basis. Bishop Pass is a major backcountry entry point, and overnight permits for Friday and Saturday entries sell out quickly, especially in July and August.
- Walk-in permits: A portion of the daily quota is held for walk-ins, available at the White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop (798 North Main Street). Pick them up the day before or the morning of your hike. The office opens at 8 AM. For summer weekends, walk-in permits can go fast.
You'll also need a parking pass for the South Lake Trailhead. An Inyo National Forest day-use fee ($5) or an America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers this.
When to Hike
Mid-July through September is the best window. Snow on the upper switchbacks below the pass usually melts out by mid-July in an average year. After heavy winters, expect snow into early August. The trail below Bishop Lake is typically clear by early July.
Late July and August offer the warmest temperatures and the best wildflower displays along Long Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible and sometimes severe. Plan to reach the pass by noon and start heading down before the storms build.
September is arguably the best month. The weather is more stable, afternoon storms are less frequent, the trail is quieter, and the light is spectacular. Water sources above Saddlerock Lake may be reduced by late September, so carry extra.
October is a gamble. Early snow can make the pass impassable, and South Lake Road may close. But if the weather cooperates, the fall colors in the Bishop Creek drainage (on the drive up) are some of the best in California.
What to Bring
- Water: 3 liters minimum. The trail passes several lakes and streams, but carry a filter if you plan to refill. Late-season hikers should carry enough for the full hike, as upper streams can dry up.
- Layers: The pass is nearly 12,000 feet and often windy. Bring a warm insulating layer, wind shell, and gloves. Even on summer days, temperatures at the pass can be in the 40s or lower with wind chill.
- Sun protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, quality sunglasses, and a hat. The upper trail is completely exposed, and UV intensity at this altitude is severe.
- Trekking poles: The rocky terrain above Bishop Lake is significantly easier with poles, both ascending and descending.
- Lunch and snacks: Budget 6 to 9 hours for the full hike. Bring enough food for a long day.
- Map: Cell service is nonexistent at the trailhead and on the trail. Carry a downloaded offline map or a paper topo (the Tom Harrison Bishop Pass map is excellent).
- Bear canister: Required for all overnight trips. Not needed for day hikes.
Dogs on the Trail
Dogs are allowed on the Bishop Pass Trail and must be on leash. The trail is suitable for fit, trail-experienced dogs, but the altitude (starting at nearly 10,000 feet) and the rocky terrain above Bishop Lake are demanding. Bring extra water for your dog, protect their paws on sharp talus, and watch for signs of altitude distress. The steep switchbacks below the pass are particularly rough on dogs. Clean up after your pet and pack out all waste.
Common Mistakes
Underestimating the last two miles. The trail from South Lake to Bishop Lake is moderately graded and feels manageable. The push from Bishop Lake to the pass is a different animal: steep, rocky, exposed, and at altitude. Many hikers reach Bishop Lake feeling good and then struggle badly on the final headwall. Budget your energy accordingly.
Not acclimatizing. The trailhead is at 9,755 feet, one of the highest-starting trails in the Eastern Sierra. If you drove up from sea level the day before, you'll feel the altitude from the first step. Spend at least one night in Bishop (4,150 feet) or ideally in the Bishop Creek area (8,000 to 9,000 feet) before the hike.
Late starts during storm season. In July and August, afternoon thunderstorms can develop rapidly over the Sierra crest. The pass is the worst place to be caught in lightning. Start early (on the trail by 7 AM) and plan to begin your descent from the pass by noon.
Forgetting the parking pass. South Lake Trailhead requires either an Inyo National Forest day-use fee or an interagency pass. Rangers check vehicles, and tickets are issued.
Trailhead Access
South Lake Trailhead is at the end of South Lake Road (also called Bishop Creek Road), about 23 miles southwest of Bishop. From Bishop, take Highway 168 (West Line Street) west for about 15 miles to the South Lake Road turnoff, then continue another 8 miles to the trailhead. The road is paved but narrow and winding for the last few miles. It's a scenic drive through the Bishop Creek canyon, with aspen groves that turn spectacular gold in late September.
The trailhead has a paved parking lot (roughly 50 spaces), vault toilets, and bear boxes. The lot fills before 7 AM on summer weekends and holidays. If the main lot is full, overflow parking is available along the road near South Lake, adding about 0.5 miles to your hike.
South Lake Road is open from approximately late May through early November, depending on snow. The road provides access to several other trailheads (Treasure Lakes, Tyee Lakes), so traffic can be heavy on summer mornings.
Beyond the Pass
For backpackers, Bishop Pass is a gateway to some of the finest wilderness in the Sierra Nevada.
Dusy Basin: Just below the pass on the west side, Dusy Basin is a popular first-night camp for backpackers. The basin sits at about 11,300 feet and contains several small lakes scattered among granite slabs. Campsites are on rock (no stakes, use rock anchors) and are exposed to wind. The scenery is otherworldly, especially at sunset when the Palisade peaks glow orange.
Le Conte Canyon and the John Muir Trail: From Dusy Basin, the trail descends about 3,000 feet over 6 miles to the Middle Fork of the Kings River in Le Conte Canyon, where it meets the John Muir Trail. From there, you can head north toward Muir Pass and Evolution Valley, or south toward Mather Pass and the Palisade Basin. These are multi-day backcountry routes that rank among the best in the world.
Loop options: A popular backpacking loop combines Bishop Pass with Piute Pass (entering at North Lake and exiting at South Lake, or vice versa). The loop is about 30 miles over 3 to 4 days and passes through some of the most dramatic high-country terrain in the Sierra.
The Bishop Pass Trail is the Eastern Sierra at its best: accessible enough for a strong day hiker, deep enough to serve as a launching point for serious backcountry exploration. The lakes are stunning, the granite is overwhelming in scale, and the view from the pass into Dusy Basin is one of those images that stays with you long after you've driven back down to the valley floor.
Other standout trails in Inyo's Bishop-to-Mammoth corridor include Hilton Lakes in the Rock Creek drainage (less crowded, equally dramatic) and Kearsarge Pass near Independence (another JMT access point, similar difficulty). For hikers coming from Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, see best hikes near Los Angeles for Eastern Sierra planning guidance. The Angeles National Forest offers lower-elevation hiking closer to the city for acclimatization days before tackling Bishop's altitude.