5.9 hr
Overview
From the South Lake trailhead, this trail starts out following the upper rim of South Lake and eventually passes into a small forest. The trail is pleasant and not steep, but gradually ascends through the forest, going up a couple of rocky switchbacks and crossing small foot bridges as it crosses drainages before meeting up with the Chocolate-Ruwau Loop Trail. From this junction, take the obvious, main trail to the right and continue, and soon the trail reaches the lower shores of Long Lake. <br><br>The trail starts down really close to the lake, but eventually rises up above the lake, which allows great views of the lake, as well as Hurd Peak and some of the surrounding peaks, like Mount Goode. As the trail nears the upper (southern) end of Long Lake, it passes another junction with the Chocolate-Ruwau Loop Trail, and continues past a series of smaller alpine lakes. <br><br>Not long after, the trail passes Saddlerock Lake, which is a spectacular lake with a great mountainous backdrop. Then, the trail passes by the beautifully turquoise Bishop Lake. At this point, the basin to the east also opens up enough to get a good glimpse of the Inconsolable Range, an appropriately named range of jagged peaks and spires. After leaving Bishop Lake, the trail starts to ascend a little bit more steeply through a series of switchbacks that appear to have been carved into a cliff. <br><br>The trail then reaches Bishop Pass, which offers great views of Mount Agassiz and Dusy Basin. However, the best views (in my opinion) come into view as the trail drops into Dusy Basin and the main section of the Palisades come into view, which is one of the most stunning subranges within the Sierra Nevadas. Just looking out into Dusy Basin with all of the talus and jagged peaks inspires. <br><br>Eventually, the trail drops further into Dusy Basin, passes by some pretty alpine lakes, and passes through some marshy terrain, while still getting new and incredible views of the surrounding peaks. After leaving Dusy Basin, the trail continues down t
Trail Stats
19.1 km
683 m
3650 m
2659 m
—
Photos
What a difference it makes to use a maintained trail!
What a difference it makes to use a maintained trail!
A view of Aperture Peak and Jigsaw Pass in the Inconsolable Range, from the Bishop Pass Trail.
A view of Aperture Peak and Jigsaw Pass in the Inconsolable Range, from the Bishop Pass Trail.
A pretty stream rolling down the polished granite, just above LeConte Canyon along the Bishop Pass Trail.
A pretty stream rolling down the polished granite, just above LeConte Canyon along the Bishop Pass Trail.
Trail through side of Long Lake.
Trail through side of Long Lake.
Trout fishing.
Trout fishing.
Stair-rocks
Stair-rocks
Hurd Peak
Hurd Peak
Hurd Lake hidden from pine forests
Hurd Lake hidden from pine forests
Bishop Pass Trail snaking along.
Bishop Pass Trail snaking along.
A cascade that is crossed by a small wooden footbridge, on the way up to Dusy Basin or down to LeConte Canyon (depending on the direction of travel).
A cascade that is crossed by a small wooden footbridge, on the way up to Dusy Basin or down to LeConte Canyon (depending on the direction of travel).
Rocky shores of Long Lake.
Rocky shores of Long Lake.
Root of pine tree.
Root of pine tree.
Marlena looking above the Long Lake.
Marlena looking above the Long Lake.
A view of the sun rising over LeConte Canyon, with Langille Peak in the foreground on the left.
A view of the sun rising over LeConte Canyon, with Langille Peak in the foreground on the left.
Long Lake, Juhn Muir Wilderness.
Long Lake, Juhn Muir Wilderness.
A view from the Bishop Pass Trail of a large cirque, with Langille Peak being the pointy one on the right, and the Black Divide in the background.
A view from the Bishop Pass Trail of a large cirque, with Langille Peak being the pointy one on the right, and the Black Divide in the background.
A view of (from left to right) Mount Winchell, Thunderbolt Peak and the North Palisade from Dusy Basin, dusted by a small July snowstorm
A view of (from left to right) Mount Winchell, Thunderbolt Peak and the North Palisade from Dusy Basin, dusted by a small July snowstorm
Mount Goode
Mount Goode
A view of the Palisades in the background, with a small cascading creek in the foreground.
A view of the Palisades in the background, with a small cascading creek in the foreground.
First sightseeing of Long Lake.
First sightseeing of Long Lake.
Sunrise over Mount Goode, and its reflection in Long Lake.
Sunrise over Mount Goode, and its reflection in Long Lake.
Mt. Goode over Long Lake early morning.
Mt. Goode over Long Lake early morning.
Bishop Lake and Saddlerock Lake
Bishop Lake and Saddlerock Lake
Our last look at the of beauty Long Lake.
Our last look at the of beauty Long Lake.
A view of the main block of the northern part of the Palisades, with (from left to right) Mount Agassiz, Mount Winchell, Thunderbolt Peak, North Palisade, and the triangular peak in the foreground is Isosceles Peak.
A view of the main block of the northern part of the Palisades, with (from left to right) Mount Agassiz, Mount Winchell, Thunderbolt Peak, North Palisade, and the triangular peak in the foreground is Isosceles Peak.
A view down to Bishop Lake and Saddlerock Lake from the trail just below Bishop Pass.
A view down to Bishop Lake and Saddlerock Lake from the trail just below Bishop Pass.