3 min
Overview
Craving postcard-worthy Sierra views, but don’t have the time (or perhaps, the inclination) to haul a backpack deep into the wilds? Then you’ll likely enjoy this short, but insanely sweet jaunt to Long Lake via the Bishop Pass Trail out of South Lake, where you’ll find yourself almost immediately surrounded by massive granite peaks and shimmering alpine waters. While this area is beautiful at any time of year, it absolutely glows starting around mid-September when the aspens shimmer in an array of golden hues. In fact, the drive up to the trailhead might prove to be just as beautiful as the trail itself if you time it right! Once you’ve pulled yourself away from the roadside attractions, you’ll find ample parking – and bathrooms, bear boxes, a boat launch, recycling, and garbage receptacles – at the Bishop Pass trailhead at South Lake. You’ll also find even more aspens as you start your journey just past the information kiosk on the south side of the parking lot. The path wastes no time climbing up – although your destination is Long Lake, the trail follows the South Fork of Bishop Creek to ultimately top out at 11,980’ Bishop Pass, so you won’t see much in the way of downhill until you head back to your car. The upside is that you quickly earn views down to South Lake itself (which may appear partially drained at times due to drought and/or flow control by Southern California Edison), and out to the jagged ridgelines towering over the drainage, including prominent Hurd Peak to the south. After short, sunny section with fantastic South Lake views, you’ll duck into a shady swath of birdsong-filled lodgepole pine forest, hitting the John Muir Wilderness boundary around 0.7 mile. Right after this, you’ll reach the first trail junction – the branch to the right heads towards Treasure Lakes (another worthy fall excursion), but you’ll stay straight towards Bishop Pass, continuing your steady ascent through the gorgeous, sometimes wind-gnarled trees. Just past the mile mark, you’ll cross a small stream via a wooden
Trail Stats
9.2 km
561 m
3301 m
2966 m
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