South Lake to Bishop Pass in Eastern High Sierra - Bishop, CA

 

October 21, 2016

Distance:   11 miles RT
Elevation :  9,820 ft/Trail head - 11,972 ft/Bishop Pass
Gain: 2,152 ft

Strenuous hike, and yet, breathtaking views of High Sierra with alpine lakes throughout the journey is an epic.  Hike begins from South Lake, the trail climbs to the valley between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak. You pass or loop around rustic iron color Chocolate Peak which looms like a pyramid.  The trail continues along Long Lake. The trail to Bishop Pass steeply climbs a series of granite steps, and vistas get even better as you ascend.....meadows, lakes and ponds surrounded by breathtaking mountain peaks - Mt.Thompson and Mt.Goode.  The reward after the strenuous climb is Bishop Pass at 11.972 ft. and beyond is the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park.  The trail continues to Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon where it meets the John Muir Trail.  Mt. Agassiz (13,893 ft) looms over Bishop Pass for those skilled and ambitious scramblers to aim to summit.  For better views of Dusy Basin, hike a little farther down following the trail from the pass.  Wow moments await you.

How to get there:
From Bishop, follow Hwy 168 to South Lake. At the end of the road, there is a paved parking lot for day use and overnight parking.  Trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot and there is a trail sign to the left of the restrooms.

Little Lakes Valley & Mono Pass in Eastern High Sierra - Rock Creek, CA

 

October 19, 2016

Trailhead: Mosquito Flat/10,200 ft
Morgan Pass: 7 miles RT; highest point/11,100 ft
Mono Pass: 7 miles RT; highest point/11,920 ft; Summit Lake/12,040 ft (?)

Amazing hike!  Hike along a series of alpine lakes and craggy peaks of High Sierra. Little Lakes Valley and Mono Pass (or Morgan Pass) via Rock Creek is a must do hike if you want to see breathtaking vistas of lakes and mountains. This is an easy to moderate/advance hike depending on which route you may choose....Morgan Pass or Mono Pass. 

Morgan Pass Trail:  Hike 0.5 miles to the junction and go to the left for 3 miles to Morgan Pass at 11,100'. You travel along a series of beautiful alpine lakes.

Mono Pass Trail:  Travel 0.5 miles to the junction and take the Mono Pass Trail to the right. Trail climbs above Little Lakes Valley in switchbacks. Trail climbs up to the right and leads to the pass at 3 miles (11,920').  You can continue on the route and reach Summit Lake (12,040'). Ruby Lake is seen down below to the left on the way up to the pass. It's a good side trip to the lake if you have enough time and energy.  Enjoy breathtaking vistas of Mt.Abbott, Petit Grifon and Mt. Mills looming over Ruby Lake.