Sabrina Basin Trail

Sabrina Basin Trail is a long-distance hiking route in the John Muir Wilderness of California, starting at Lake Sabrina and climbing into a high basin of alpine lakes beneath rugged granite peaks. The route begins above 9,000 feet and builds steadily, with sections of switchbacks, pine forest, and exposed granite as you work upward.

Access is typically via the Lake Sabrina area west of Bishop: drive Highway 168/Line Street from Bishop, about 18 miles to Lake Sabrina, and use the Sabrina Basin Trailhead area there as your start point.

On the way through the basin, the mainline goes past multiple named lakes, with Blue Lake being a common turnaround for day hikers. Continuing onward takes you toward higher lakes in the Sabrina basin, including Dingleberry Lake and Hungry Packer Lake as you push deeper into the wilderness.

For overnight trips, plan around food-storage rules that apply beyond Blue Lake; bear canisters are required because there are few tall trees suitable for hanging food past that point. Camp and movement are also constrained by altitude rules for fire use (no fires above 10,400 ft), so treat the route as a stoves-only backpack unless you’re below that threshold.

Permits follow wilderness rules for overnight backpacking: day hikes do not require a permit, but overnight trips do. If you’re planning for peak summer, schedule for July through October after winter snows melt.

Start-of-day logistics matter at these elevations. The hike begins around 9,100 feet, so acclimatization and bringing plenty of water are core parts of the plan.

Conditions are sensitive to weather and stream levels. Afternoon storms are common in the region, so carry rain gear and be ready for rapidly changing conditions; treat spring and early-season travel as especially variable.

More information: Visitor information, Sabrina Basin Trail 31E01, CA - Hike Arizona, 3 Epic Nights Backpacking Sabrina Basin Trail