Introduction:
What? :
The hike to Bishop Lake and Pass is a very popular day hike starting from South Lake and then it climbs to a long valley with several alpine lakes between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak.
Along the hike you will pass through South Lake, Long Lake, Saddlerock Lake, and Bishop Lake, all nested below tall cliffs and soaring granite peaks like Mount Agassiz, Hurd Peak, and Mount Goode
The trail to Bishop lake is 4.2 miles one way, starting at elevation of 9,830 ft with 1,450 ft of elevation gain, you can extend this with the climb to Bishop pass at elevation of 12,000 ft.
I did not climb to the pass but rather extended the hike by doing the Chocolate Peak loop. This was 10.4 miles with 2,850 ft of elevation gain and it took me 6 hours to complete.
I will classify this hike as moderate but if you are also doing the Chocolate Peak loop I will say it is a strenuous hike.
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Where? :
From Bishop drive west on Line Street (Hwy 168).
Google Map Link
Follow Hwy 168 in the direction of South Lake, after 15 miles turn left into south fork and drive all the way to the end of the road near the lake, overall 22 mile drive.
At the end of the road past the boat ramp, a paved parking lot has day use and some overnight parking spots.
When? :
During the winter months (Oct-May) the road leading to South lake may be closed as of snow accumulation and all the high elevation area is covered with deep snow.
I hiked here in mid June 2025 and the weather was great with minimal snow patches on the trail.
The recommended time to hike here is June to early October up to the first season snow storm.
Even with the high elevation Summer month can be hot so take enough water with you.
During the summer month thunder storms are common in afternoons. Try not to be in a high exposed location during nearby linings.
Due note 1:
Water: as you hike up water sources become abundant, you need to filter the water before drinking them.
Due note 2:
Some sections of the trail are exposed to the sun. Bring a hat, sunglasses and use sun protection.
Even during the warm summer months, come prepared for changing weather and have warm clothes with you.
Depending on the season mainly during early summer mosquitoes might be a problem, bring a face net and repellent.
Due note 3:
The trailhead has vault toilets, piped potable water, trash cans and bear food storage boxes.
Due note 4:
This is a popular trail but the area near the lakes is large and you will not feel it is over crowded. If you are looking for a more secluded environment, Chocolate Peak loop has almost no other hikers.
Due note 5:
No permit required for Day use hike.
Wilderness permits are needed year-round for overnight stay and you can get them at Eastern Sierra Inter Agency Visitor Center in Lone Pine.
Due note 6:
For overnight stay you are required to store food items in bear-proof containers
Due note 7:
Camping: Campgrounds are available along the road from Bishop but they are not located near the trailhead.
Due note 8:
I saw many day hikers that are fishing here. You need a fishing permit to do so.
My thoughts:
This trail passes through a chain of picturesque crystal-clear alpine lakes, nested below high mountain ridges and tall cliffs.
For my 10.4 mile long hike there were some sections that were physically demanding (especially in Chocolate Peak loop) but overall I enjoyed it very much.
You can skip the Chocolate Peak loop but although challenging it has amazing unique views. It is less crowded and provides a more secluded experience.
The Hike:
Starting right from South Lake (elevation of 9,829 ft) the trail climbs up to the east side mountain slopes.
From the first open trail section you will have the view of south lake, soon after the trail turn left, climb up and get into the pine forest and John Muir Wilderness.
This will be a constant climb up, after 1.9 miles you will see on your left a connecting trail, this is the path to Chocolate Peak loop. I do not recommend doing this loop going up.
First do the main trail and only if you have about time and energy do this loop on your way down.
From the trail junction there is an additional short climb and you will reach the first lake, this will be Long Lake, 2.1 miles from trailhead elevation of 10,770 ft.
The trail follows Long Lake for about 0.8 mile on its east side.
Near the south end of the lake you will see the trail climbing up to Chocolate Peak loop.
Keep hiking up and you will pass above a small lake (Spearhead Lake), after another climb section on the rocky section with few switchbacks and you will reach the small Timberline Trans Lake.
The last section before Timberline Trans Lake was covered with deep snow.
There are so many other hikers here so you can find the safe and easiest path to cross the snow patches.
Another short climb near a flowing waterfall and you will reach the shoreline of the large Sadelrock Lake.
After Sadelrock Lake a short section with almost no climb and you will reach Bishop Lake.
Bishop Lake is nested below the cliffs and ragged mountains surrounding it.
Bishop Pass is on the left side of the lake, climbing to the ridgeline.
When I visited here some sections of the pass were still covered with deep snow.
I started the hike late in the middle of the day and I still wanted to hike the Chocolate Peak loop so I decided that Bishop Lake would be my turning point, this was after a 4.4 miles hike.
I started returning back down all the way to the Long Lake south section and there I took the marked trail to the right, climbing into Chocolate Peak loop.
Chocolate Peak is named as its rock colors are brown and different from the surrounding granite gray color.
I did not do any homework on this trail so I was surprised by the brutal climbing up.
The trail climbs to Ruwau Lake (0.4 mile), it follows its north shore and then it climbs again through the forest up to the mountain pass.
From the lake below all the way to the pass it is 0.9 mile and 680 ft of elevation gain.
The view from the high pass to the lakes below and the tall Cloudripper mountain ridge is impressive, reward you for the tuff climb up.
Unlike the trail near the lake that was packed with other day hikers here I saw only 2 other hikers the entire loop. Also the trail itself is less maintained and overgrown with vegetation in some sections.
This is the place to rest and enjoy the view and the solitude.
From the pass the trail descends sharply on a loose gravel slope down to the first Chocolate Lake.
From here there is another small lake that you need to circle from its far side.
The trail here is not so clear with all vegetation and lake high water level.
Soon after you will hike down near the creek to the third of Chocolate Lakes, this is the smallest one.
Also here the trail was partly covered with vegetation but I was able to find the way down.
The trail follows the creek in its steep rocky drop down to the last lake in this loop, Bull Lake.
You will pass Bull lake on its North side, the view up to Chocolate Peak is nice from this direction.
Soon after Bull Lake you will reconnect to the main Bishop Lake trail that we climb up, this will be after a total hike of 8.6 miles from the starting point.
This time we are turning right on our way down.
After additional 1.9 mile hiking down you will reach the trailhead parking lot.
Overall this hike was 10.4 mile long with a total of 2,850 ft of elevation gain and it took me 6 hours to complete.
This was a long hike but fun to do and amazing high landscape. You will see so many alpine lakes along this hike that you can’t remember all their names.
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