Bishop Pass

At my coworker Jeff's recommendation, Brent and I braved Bishop Pass for our next backpacking trip. The trailhead is at South Lake at 9800' elevation. The trail gains elevation steadily, reaching Long Lake at 2 miles and 10,750 foot elevation. Traveling along the lake's shore, the trail rises a bit more, passing Spearhead Lake and reaching Saddlerock Lake in another 1.5 miles at an elevation of 11,100'. We set up camp along Saddlerock Lake's shore before braving the Pass. The trail climbs slowly, then suddenly with harsh switchbacks through the granite, reaching Bishop Pass at a lofty 11,972'. This is the crest of the Sierra Nevada, passing from east to west and from the John Muir Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest into Kings Canyon National Park. What an amazing feeling! We dropped down the other side a bit for views into Dusy Basin before retreating from light snow (!) back down to our campsite for the night.

Cool birds of the trip:

• American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) - these amazing birds aren't uncommon in mountain streams, but I still love to see them. They can actually walk along the stream bottom in search of food. They're also known as the Water Ouzel and fittingly, were John Muir's favorite bird.

• Gray-crowned (Sierra Nevada) Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrosticte dawsoni) - Rosy-finches are only found at high elevations (above 9,500') during the summer. They are possibly the highest breeding bird in North America. It was a treat to see one foraging in the rocks just beyond the Pass.

Bishop Pass Trailhead

back to the wilderness

Epilobium angustifolium fireweed

Long Lake below Hurd Peak

Saddlerock Lake

juvenile American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus

I made it!

Dusy Basin

Bishop and Saddlerock Lakes

Gray-crowned (Sierra Nevada) Rosy-Finch Leucosticte tephrosticte dawsoni

waiting for a pack train to pass

sunset

A few more pictures are available here. Enjoy !