Bishop Pass Trail
Bishop Pass Trail is a long, high-country hike in California’s Eastern Sierra that climbs from South Lake up to Bishop Pass and continues toward Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon in Kings Canyon National Park. The trip centers on hiking through a chain of alpine lakes and granite benches, with Bishop Pass itself reached via steep, switchback climbing.
The standard out-and-back framing is South Lake to Bishop Pass and back, with typical round-trip mileage landing around 10–13 miles depending on how far you push past the pass. The trail is sustained effort at altitude: the route has been described with about 2,200–3,000 ft of elevation gain and a 5–7.5 hour total window for most hikers.
South Lake is the main starting point, located at the end of South Lake Road; parking, restrooms, and bear lockers are available at the trailhead. From there the trail lifts toward the valley between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak, then works upward through successive benches where lakes and ponds appear along the way.
As you gain elevation, you pass multiple named lakes in the Bishop Pass corridor, including Long Lake and Bishop Lake, and the route also supports a popular Chocolate Peak / Chocolate Lakes loop that rejoins at Long Lake. The highest lakes near the pass are fed by glacial melt at the base of Mt. Thompson and Mt. Goode.
Bishop Pass is around 11,972 ft, and the final climb is on steep switchbacks with low rock edging along the sides. Once you’re over the pass, the corridor opens into Kings Canyon backcountry and lines up with continuing travel toward Dusy Basin and LeConte Canyon.
For planning: this is an active bear area, and food and scented items must be stored in bear-resistant containers. Overnight trips require wilderness permits year-round, while day use does not; quota limits apply from May 1 through November 1 (with a limit stated as 36 people per day). Water is available from creeks, lakes, and springs but must be treated before drinking; no campfires are allowed above 10,000 ft.