Hiking & Backpacking to Bishop Pass from South Lake (California)

The Bishop Pass trail in California’s Eastern Sierra has something for everyone. Routes range from a 4.7 mile hike to Long Lake to a 24 mile trip to Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon. Fewer people choose to backpack along this trail, making camping permits less competitive than other trails.

The Bishop Pass hike travels through diverse landscapes including pristine alpine lakes, meadows, and a dramatic mountain pass. The 30 minute drive to the South Lake trailhead from Bishop is an attraction in itself, and in fall it’s one of the best places in California to see foliage.

In this guide I’ll help you plan your visit, whether you want to day hike to Bishop Pass or do an extended backpacking trip. I’ll also share the story of my backpacking trip to Bishop Pass and the Chocolate Lakes loop.

If you need a refresher, check out my guide to day hiking and beginner’s guide to backpacking. Camping at Long Lake on the Bishop Pass trail would make for a perfect first backpacking trip! For more places to explore in California, browse my California destination guides.

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Bishop Pass Backpacking Trail Report

Hiking to Long Lake

I made the drive to the Bishop South Lake area in mid-October and the trees were ablaze with bright yellow hues. If I didn’t have a long hike to start I would have taken my time and savored the drive, stopping at the many parking areas along the road to take in the autumn scenery. 

The Bishop Pass trail begins by climbing alongside South Lake. In fall, the lake’s deep blue waters contrast beautifully with the golden aspens. The 2-mile ascent to Long Lake is moderately steep and exposed. Many day hikers turn around at Long Lake, so the further you continue past here, the more peaceful your hike will be.

Hiking the Chocolate Lakes Loop

About halfway down Long Lake I spotted an unofficial trail on the left and followed it to find the perfect camping area. I pitched my tent and set out again to explore the nearby Chocolate Lakes loop. I am a chocolate addict and I’ll confess that I didn’t know much about this trail, but its name alone compelled me to hike it. I’m not entirely sure where the name comes from, but the cylindrical brown peak next to the lakes seems to resemble a Hershey’s kiss. 

The Chocolate Lakes loop passes through 5 lesser-visited lakes. There was a stream linking Bull Lake and the Chocolate Lakes, adding picturesque small waterfalls but also creating unpleasant swampy areas. 

The trail passing through the Chocolate Lakes was not well marked and at times was hard to find. In addition, the section between Ruwau Lake and the Chocolate Lakes was steep and slippery. If you choose to hike these sections, make sure you’ve downloaded the trail map in advance and have sufficient hiking experience. I encountered a lost hiker without a trail map between Ruwau Lake and the Chocolate Lakes.

Hiking to Bishop Pass

I returned to my campsite at Long Lake just before sunset, finding that nobody else had arrived and that I would be alone for the night. The next day I set out early towards Bishop Pass, encountering just one other group camping near Bishop Lake. 

The terrain in the final stretch to Bishop Pass was rocky and exposed. I was surprised to see large sections of consolidated snow and ice covering the trail. I did this hike in October, and snow from the previous winter still had not melted! Irresponsibly, I did not bring microspikes and proceeded very cautiously. I would recommend bringing proper traction devices, especially if you’re hiking Bishop Pass with a heavy backpack.

Once I arrived at the top of Bishop Pass, I was rewarded with a birds-eye view of the lake basin below. The blue lakes shimmered against the mostly barren, rocky landscape. I ventured slightly further along the trail to earn the bragging rights of crossing into an entirely different park, Kings Canyon. 

If I had more time I would have liked to visit the remote lakes of Dusy Basin, but I was starting to feel mild altitude sickness and decided to save that for another trip. I made my way back to my campsite at Long Lake, packed up, and hiked back to the trailhead. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing some fall foliage chasing from the car to give my legs a break.

Trip Planning Information

Bishop Pass Trail Map and Information

The Bishop Pass hike starts at South Lake. There are a variety of hikes you can do from here, ranging from moderately strenuous day hikes to leisurely multi-day backpacking trips. The majority of the trails are well-maintained and easy to follow.

For a short day hike, hike to Long Lake (4.7 mi and 1,000 ft elevation gain) or the Chocolate Lakes loop (6.4 mi and 1,580 ft elevation gain).

For a longer day hike or backpacking trip, hike to Bishop Pass (11.1 mi and 2,330 ft elevation gain), and add on the Chocolate Lakes loop for a challenge.

For a longer camping trip, hike to Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon (24.3 mi and 5,600 ft elevation gain out and back). This trail joins the John Muir Trail.

Bishop Pass Hike Useful Tips

• Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service on the road to the trailhead and on the trail itself. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance. 
• Altitude awareness. Altitude sickness can occur above 8,000 ft elevation. The trailhead at South Lake is at 9,800 ft and Bishop Pass elevation is ~12,000 ft. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and turn around if needed.
• Beat the heat. Start hiking early, especially in summer. Much of the trail is not shaded and can get hot.
• Leave no trace. Let’s do our part to preserve this beautiful place. 
• Check Bishop Pass trail conditions. The last mile up to Bishop Pass can have snow and ice even late in the summer.

Bishop Pass Weather and When to Go

Plan your visit to the Bishop Pass trail between late spring and early fall. Depending on the year, the trail may have ice and snow from late October into July. Check recent trail reports on AllTrails and call the Inyo National Forest ranger for current conditions. 

The trailhead at South Lake gets very busy on summer weekends, especially the initial part leading up to Long Lake. If you can, go on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Temperatures on the trail in summer are very hot during the day and cool at night. If you’re hiking in fall, check local conditions first. Fall wildfires are common.

Park Information

The Bishop Pass hike is located in the John Muir Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest. There’s no entrance fee or specific opening hours for the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

Bishop Pass Trail Permits

If you’re doing a day hike to Bishop Pass, you don’t need a permit. 

If you’d like to camp overnight, a permit is mandatory. From May 1 through November 1, there is a limit of 25 people per day. 60% of the permits are released 6 months in advance, and the remaining 40% are released 2 weeks in advance. Reserve your permit early and have backup dates prepared.

When you’re ready to reserve your permit, visit the reservation site and select “JM21 Bishop Pass – South Lake”. Remember to print your Bishop Pass permit before your trip and bring it with you.

Bishop Pass Trail Directions and Parking

The Bishop Pass trail is located along Highway 395, on the Eastern side of California’s Sierra mountains. The closest city is Bishop (30 min). The trailhead is a 4 hr 40 min drive from Los Angeles, and 6 hr 30 min from the Bay Area.

If you’re coming from the Bay Area, the shortest route will likely be through Tioga Pass. Check that Tioga Road is open for the season. This route passes through Yosemite Park, so be ready to pay the entrance fee and expect heavy traffic on weekends and holidays.

The road to the trailhead is paved. South Lake Road closes seasonally in winter; check the Inyo County road closures page for more information. 

To get to the Bishop Pass parking lot, navigate to “Bishop Pass Trailhead”. The parking lot is for both day and overnight use and has restrooms. Bear boxes are available; avoid leaving scented items in your car. This is a popular area, so arrive early to secure a parking spot.

What to Bring to Hike Bishop Pass

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my complete day hiking and backpacking checklists. For this hike I would stress the following:

Bishop Pass Day Hike Items

• Trail Map. Download the map for offline navigation. 
• Day Hiking Backpack or Backpacking Pack (Women’s, Men’s). Invest in a high-quality and durable pack that will last for years!
• Hiking Shoes. Women’s, Men’s. I do not recommend running or general athletic shoes for this hike. Their lack of traction will cause you to slip.
• Hiking Socks. Women’s, Men’s. Wool is essential to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
• Hiking Pants. Women’s, Men’s. I love these pants because they are lightweight, durable, and have pockets.
• Hiking T-Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. Quick-drying T-Shirts are ideal. Tank tops will cause your skin to rub uncomfortably against your backpack straps.
• Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. This is the best way to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitos. 
• Swimsuit and Microfiber Towel. You’ll want to swim in these lakes!
• Trekking Poles. These will save your knees on descents and provide stability when crossing streams and rocky terrain.
• Hat. This hike is very exposed, so protect yourself from the sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip Balm with SPF.
• Mosquito spray. I love this all-natural one because it’s very effective and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.
• Mosquito head net. Mosquitos can be unbearable in some seasons. I use this to prevent them from getting in my eyes and mouth or biting my face.
• Water in a Reservoir or Bottle. Bring a lot of water – this is a long and hot hike.
• Water Filter. Bring a filter so you can carry less water!
• Electrolytes. These help prevent dehydration and fatigue, especially on strenuous hikes in hot weather and high elevation.
• Snacks, Packed Lunch
• Portable Charger and Cable. It’s good to be prepared if your phone battery dies.
• Headlamp and Spare Batteries. Whether or not you plan to camp, this is a safety essential.
• Garmin inReach (optional). Sends your GPS coordinates and calls for help in emergency situations. 
• First-Aid Kit
• Microspikes. May be needed if the last mile up to Bishop Pass is icy.

Bishop Pass Backpacking Items

• Bear canister. Bear canisters or bags are required for camping in this area. 
• Tent
• Sleeping Pad
• Sleeping Bag and Compression Sack
• Stove
• Puffy Jacket. Women’s, Men’s. It gets cold at night.

Bishop Pass Camping Locations (for Backpackers)

Most of the lakes along the Bishop Pass trail have suitable backpacking campsites. I recommend taking a look around Long, Bull, Chocolate, Saddlerock, and Bishop Lakes.

Backpacking Water Sources

If you’re doing the Bishop Pass hike with a filter there are many places to refill, most of which are available late into the season. Fill up at Bishop Lake before starting the ascent to Bishop Pass.

Where to Stay

Before hiking the Bishop Pass trail, it’s a good idea to stay nearby the night before to ensure an early start on the trail and to acclimate to the altitude. I frequently get mild altitude sickness in this area and can attest to the importance of getting a good night’s sleep nearby to adjust.

Bishop Pass Camping

There are many campgrounds near the Bishop Pass trailhead that are open seasonally, including Four Jeffrey and Forks campgrounds (reservable) as well as Mountain Glen and Willow campgrounds (first come first served). You can reserve on recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance. Reserve early, as spots go quickly in the high season. 

There are additional Inyo National Forest and BLM campgrounds nearby as well.

Nearby Accommodation

South Lake
Rent cabins at Parchers Resort

Bishop
Budget: The Hostel California. Whether you choose a private room or shared dorm, this is a comfortable place to stay where you’ll likely meet other hikers. The kitchen will come in handy to prepare your hiking snacks.
Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Eastside Guesthouse and Bivy

Mammoth Lakes
Mid Range: Juniper Springs Resort
Splurge: The Westin Monache Resort

Things to Do Near Bishop Pass

Bishop Pass Map of Nearby Attractions

California’s Eastern Sierra region is full of interesting attractions. This area has some of the best hiking in all of California, so I’d recommend checking out some other hikes if you have the time. If not, there are still many places you can visit that involve minimal hiking.

Along South Lake Road: Keep an eye out for Misty Falls, which can be seen from the road. The falls are located on private property, so be mindful in trying to get a closer look. From South Lake you can also hike to Tyee Lakes (6.2 mi) or Treasure Lakes (5.5 mi).

Along Highway 168: Drive up to North Lake, or check out some of the trails at Lake Sabrina.

Bishop: Erick Schat’s Bakery 

North of Bishop: Crowley Lake Stone Columns, Hot Creek Geologic Site, Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Convict Lake, Devil’s Postpile, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake Loop, Mono Lake

South of Bishop: Keough’s Hot Springs, Manzanar National Historic Site, Alabama Hills, Whitney Portal Road

Thanks for reading! I hope this detailed guide was helpful as you plan your hike to Bishop Pass. Questions? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you. See you on the trail!

For more places to explore, check out my guides to other hikes and backpacking trips in California.

Confirm all logistical and safety information before your trip. Also If you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting me in creating free content for you to enjoy!

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