Bishop Pass Trail is a 11 mile out and back trail located near Bishop, California and is only recommended for very experienced outdoorsmen. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible from May until October. It generally gets very cold at night so be prepared.

This is one of the most popular places in the Eastern Sierras, so get you permit early or you may be out of luck. Once you get out of your car and throw on your daypack or backpack you are in for an incredible adventure. As you gain altitude the scenery just gets better. I once was on the trail and asked an old man, who had hiked the Eastern Sierras for years, where his favorite place was. His reply was anywhere I happen to be. He was right. Go on Google and look for the images of Bishop Pass; they tell the story. In the beginning this is not a hard hike. I would rate it moderate for about 3 miles. You pass some of the most beautiful lakes you can imagine, which have some very large fish in them. About half the people I have seen on the trail are fishing. At about 3 miles (this is a guess) you come to a lake and you can see the pass with its numerous switchbacks. From here you put your head down and climb about a mile to the summit. It is extremely rocky in this area, but the footing is not bad. You can expect some snow on the trail in the spring and lightening storms in the summer and early fall. Make sure you check the weather reports. Once you reach the summit (11,972 feet) the fun has just started; the views are stunning. You now cross the pass and descend into Dusi Basin. If you are day hiking this is the area where you probably need to turn around, unless you started very early. If possible you want to spend several days in the basin because it is so vast and so beautiful. You can spend hours just hiking off trail with no possibility of getting lost. There are so many lakes in this area that you cannot count them. It is a photographers paradise. The two things you must be aware of are bears and cold weather. You are required to bring a bear canister to keep your food away from the bears. Unfortunately, the few trees are not high enough to hang your food. Finally, it gets cold at night. The first time I came down I thought that since it was in Southern California it would be warmer; not so. Be prepared for cold nights. In the spring and early fall the temperature will go below freezing. I was there in October and the temperature at night was near 0 degree Fahrenheit; everything froze. But those are things you can prepare for and should not be a problem. There are many trials in this area (from Bishop to Lone Pine) that are 4 to 5 stars. This is a 5 star, which varies from moderate to a somewhat strenuous.

There are several ways to get there (trails), but only one way by car. You drive to Bishop, California on Hwy 395. Remember you need a permit so you will probably have to stop at Bishop Ranger Station (a.k.a. the White Mountain Vistor Center). You then take 168 west to the trailhead.

There is a big parking lot at the trail head, but remember this is a very popular place, so parking places may be limited. Check at the Ranger Station.