Lamarck Lakes

Overview

The trail to Lamarck Lakes has it all: Jagged Sierra high country? Check. Sparkling alpine lakes? Check. Groves of quaking aspen that turn brilliantly warm during late September and early October. Check. Gorgeous trail that’s not too hard and not too easy? Check. Great backcountry camping? Check. Classic Eastern Sierra views? Check. Check, check, and more check. I’m having a hard time hemming in my enthusiasm for the trail to the Lamarck Lakes. I hiked it in October 2017 at the full peak of fall color. It was a perfect hike through perfect scenery in perfect weather conditions on a perfect day, so you will have to forgive me if I dip into a bit of hyperbole. Of course, if you were to reach into a bowl and pull out a trail name for any of the routes in Bishop Creek Canyon, including Treasure Lakes, Long Lake, and Blue Lake, you would walk away feeling like you won. But please allow me to make the case that the Lamarck Lakes are the best of the bunch where day hiking is concerned. The route begins on a not too inspiring note as you have to walk 0.5 mile from the parking area on the west end of North Lake through the North Lake Campground to reach the trailhead. Note that all distances in this write-up are reckoned from the parking area, not the official trailhead. Of course, North Lake itself is a great fall color destination, and the color along the lake’s inlet and the stables for the pack station have plenty of great color and scenery. After passing through the campground, keep your eyes peeled for the combined Piute Pass/Lamarck Lakes Trail, which you will join for a short combined stretch through dense forest along the banks of North Fork Bishop Creek. At 0.65, the Lamarck Lakes Trail will diverge from the Piute Pass Trail and then turn to the south. The trail begins to pick up elevation, switchbacking through dense pine forest seasoned with a generous amount of quaking aspen groves. During fall, you will climb through several corridors of golden, shimmering leaves which will take your mind off of the modera

Trail Stats

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