Route Editor
Route Scout
 Starting at beautiful South Lake, the trail climbs to the valley between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak. A popular day hike loops around Chocolate Peak and rejoins the main trail at Long Lake. The Chocolate Lake loop is not recommended for stock. The trail to Bishop Pass climbs a series of granite benches, each holding lakes and ponds. The highest lakes are tinted with glacial melt at the foot of Mt.Thompson and Mt.Goode. Over Bishop Pass is the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park, with the trail continuing to Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon where it meets the John Muir Trail. This is an active bear area so you must use bear resistant food storage containers to secure your food and refuse. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Note This is a moderately difficult hike. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Bishop Pass Trail - South Lake
Chocolate Lakes & Treasure Lakes
our third hike started from south lake, giving us a representative hike from each trailhead
we originally planned to go up to bishop pass and find the overlook into dusy basin
it was so windy monday morning that we got to long lake and executed another plan b, putting together two alternative hikes in denny's book: the chocolate lakes loop and an out and back to treasure lakes
every hike from north lake, sabrina lake and south lake goes up at a pretty good grade, and bishop pass trail was no exception
two miles and 1200 feet to scenic long lake, which the trail then followed
just short of three miles, we made the call to take the trail to ruwau lake, as clouds were racing by on bishop pass
a good ascent to the lake, where we took a short break
found the cairned use trail up and over a saddle to the first chocolate lake
a chain of three, and a nice basin before dropping to bull lake
we rejoined bishop pass trail and went back north, taking a little extra credit hike up to marie louise lakes
no one else there as we had some lunch
returned to the treasure lakes turnoff and discovered there was more elevation gain in store
descended to cross several drainages into south lake, then climbed several hundred feet to treasure lakes
well worth it, as this was a beautiful area
spent some time here for photos and snacks
headed back to bishop pass trail, enjoying good views of south lake and plenty of running creeks along the way
had originally planned to camp another night, but revised that to head home after the hike
done hiking at 2:00 p.m.
denny treated us to burgers at appleby's halfway home while we caught a little monday night football
back to the valley at 1:00 a.m.
nice bit of driving, denny
thank you
three very different hikes from different trailheads, all within ten miles or so
enough we didn't do that could fill another trip
thanks to john for setting the pace and doing the off trail route finding, and to denny for doing all the research from his sierra book
since i was the only one who could read the fine print, i was map-reader and gps route-keeper
a great time with the boys
what's next?
we originally planned to go up to bishop pass and find the overlook into dusy basin
it was so windy monday morning that we got to long lake and executed another plan b, putting together two alternative hikes in denny's book: the chocolate lakes loop and an out and back to treasure lakes
every hike from north lake, sabrina lake and south lake goes up at a pretty good grade, and bishop pass trail was no exception
two miles and 1200 feet to scenic long lake, which the trail then followed
just short of three miles, we made the call to take the trail to ruwau lake, as clouds were racing by on bishop pass
a good ascent to the lake, where we took a short break
found the cairned use trail up and over a saddle to the first chocolate lake
a chain of three, and a nice basin before dropping to bull lake
we rejoined bishop pass trail and went back north, taking a little extra credit hike up to marie louise lakes
no one else there as we had some lunch
returned to the treasure lakes turnoff and discovered there was more elevation gain in store
descended to cross several drainages into south lake, then climbed several hundred feet to treasure lakes
well worth it, as this was a beautiful area
spent some time here for photos and snacks
headed back to bishop pass trail, enjoying good views of south lake and plenty of running creeks along the way
had originally planned to camp another night, but revised that to head home after the hike
done hiking at 2:00 p.m.
denny treated us to burgers at appleby's halfway home while we caught a little monday night football
back to the valley at 1:00 a.m.
nice bit of driving, denny
thank you
three very different hikes from different trailheads, all within ten miles or so
enough we didn't do that could fill another trip
thanks to john for setting the pace and doing the off trail route finding, and to denny for doing all the research from his sierra book
since i was the only one who could read the fine print, i was map-reader and gps route-keeper
a great time with the boys
what's next?
2016-09-12 trekkin_gecko
Bishop Pass Trail - South Lake
Hit the trail at a decent hour and made my way up to the pass, passing many backpackers on the way (I'll join them someday). My goal was to hit Dusy Basin in hopes of getting some pictures of North Palisade. About 1.2 miles below the pass, I left the trail and headed south to a small lake that didn't quite do the trick. I headed upstream to a larger one to take in the view, and holy moly, what a view! I stuck around for a bit and had a snack while the clouds darkened and ultimately sent me packing. Definitely the best hike of the trip!
Foliage
First half mile of the trail has some great, golden leaves - not much to see after that. The drive to the trailhead has more to see.
Foliage
First half mile of the trail has some great, golden leaves - not much to see after that. The drive to the trailhead has more to see.
2013-09-11 PatrickL
