Bishop, California
Looking for the best hiking in Bishop? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Bishop. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Bishop
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Bishop, California
Long Lake via Bishop Pass
5.51 mi / 991 ft gainDirections The trailhead for Long Lake starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head th...Read more -
Bishop, California
Climb Columbine Peak's NE Ridge
15 mi / 5000 ft gainDirections This Bishop Pass Trail starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head the rest ...Read more -
Bishop, California
First and Second Lake via Big Pine Creek North Fork
5.09.57 mi / 2392 ft gainThe North Fork of Big Pine Creek is often cited as having the most unbelievable scenery reachable in a single day. And it's hard to disagree. The Big Pine Creek North Fork trail is just minutes outside of Big Pine off the 395. If going in the winter, access to the trailhead can be closed off, so...Read more -
Big Pine, California
Fourth Lake via Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail
4.012.6 mi / 3205 ft gainFrom Big Pine, you'll turn onto Crocker St. to head towards the mountains. Once you are about 11 miles down the road you will see a sign and a turnoff on the right for trailhead parking. That is where you are going to want to park if you are staying overnight but you can continue to where the roa...Read more -
Bishop, California
Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail
52.67 mi / 9173 ft gainBishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Bishop, California.Read more -
Bishop, California
Treasure Lakes Trail
5.05.79 mi / 1375 ft gainThe Treasure Lakes Trail is dog and kid friendly, just make sure all parties can handle the elevation gain. The scenery throughout the entire hike is amazing, and early in the summer, the creeks roar. The lake is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. The trail is best used in the summer an...Read more -
Bishop, California
Evolution Basin via South Lake
35.66 mi / 7769 ft gainIt’s been called the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, the highlight of the entire 211-mile John Muir Trail. Whatever superlatives are used to describe it, Evolution Basin is undoubtedly one of the most incredible landscapes you’ll ever explore. There is a small catch, though: There is no easy ...Read more -
Bishop, California
Bishop Pass Trail
5.011.13 mi / 2165 ft gainTo get to the hike drive twenty miles west from the town of Bishop, California up Hwy 168 to South Lake. There are two parking lots but make sure to get there early because later in the day it's harder to get a spot. The trail starts from South Lake at an an elevation of 9,750 feet. Initially ...Read more -
Bishop, California
Big Pine Lakes via North Fork Trail
5.012.69 mi / 3196 ft gainThe North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail offers some of the best high alpine scenery in the Sierras. As the peaks of the Palisades pierce the sky with its craggy span of summits you will find it is as picturesque and dramatic as any in California. Nestled beneath these giant peaks are the glacier scou...Read more -
Bishop, California
Hike to Little Lakes Valley in the John Muir Wilderness
5.03.2 mi / 300 ft gainThe Little Lakes Valley located in the John Muir Wilderness provides easy access to spectacular views of High Sierra peaks as well as a long list of beautiful alpine lakes.The area is accessed via the Mono Pass Trail starting from Mosquito Flat/Little Lakes Trailhead. From the trailhead at the e...Read more -
Bishop, California
Hike Morgan Pass to 7 Scenic Lakes
5.010 miTake the 395 North for 20 miles past Bishop and make a left on Rock Creek Road. Follow this road for 10 miles until you reach the free parking area at the Mosquito Flats Trailhead. Even on a holiday weekend, finding parking wasn’t a problem. The trailhead offers easy access to bathrooms and bear ...Read more -
Bishop, California
Fish for a Sierra Grand Slam in Little Lakes
Access to this relatively mellow (for the Sierras) trail can be reached via Rock Creek Road off of Highway 395, north of the town of Bishop, California. Following Rock Creek road southwest until its terminus will take you directly to the parking lot and signed trailhead for Little Lakes Valley.Fr...Read more -
Bishop, California
Backpack to Ruby Lake
5.04 mi / 1000 ft gainAt 10,200 feet, the trailhead (Little Lakes Valley) for Ruby Lake is one of the highest (if not the highest) in the Sierra. Meaning you get right to the heart of the mountains quickly. Ruby Lake itself is at 11,200 feet elevation.How to get there: At Tom's Place off of Hwy 395, turn southwest int...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Hike to Steelhead Lake through McGee Creek Canyon
5.011.5 mi / 2510 ft gainWhether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views.I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easil...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Backpack to Red Slate Mountain
22 mi / 5600 ft gainI would recommend you spend the night in the area to acclimatize, since the trailhead does start at ~8,000ft and you will be hiking up to ~10,500ft at the end of the first day and climbing up to 13,100ft on the second day. One option would be to reserve a spot at the nearby McGee Creek Campground...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Photograph the Fall Colors of McGee Creek
5.03 mi / 500 ft gainMcGee Creek is one of my favorite spots in the Eastern Sierra to photography the fall color. Most people avoid the area because the best views require you to hike and explore but the rewards are worth it. Right close to the parking lot is McGee Creek which is a beautiful creek to photograph offer...Read more