Mammoth to Bishop

This route from Mammoth to Bishop is about 90 miles long, spanning the distance between Red Cones Trailhead at Horseshoe Lake (on the northern end), to South Lake and Bishop Pass Trailhead (at the southern end). As it is a point-to-point, a shuttle will be required, though there are public transportation options to each trailhead. This route is relatively straightforward, primarily utilizing the Pacific Crest Trail/John Muir Trail between trailheads and pass trails.

Traveling southbound, hikers take the relatively approachable Mammoth Pass to meet with the PCT just under four miles in. There are excellent camping opportunities at Lake Virginia before we descend briefly into the Cascade Valley, and then climb toward the Silver Divide at Silver Pass. From Silver Pass, the trail drops again toward Mono Creek, and climbs toward the very scenic Lake Marie and Selden Pass. From Selden, we descend toward Muir Trail Ranch, a popular resupply option for more long-distance backpackers, and meet the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. After following this mighty river for a few miles, our route branches off to ascend toward the Evolution Valley, following Evolution Creek to the scenic McClure Meadow and Colby Meadow. These meadows are picturesque at sunset, but can be quite a hassle with mosquitoes in the buggy summer months. Further up this climb, on the way to Muir Pass, we pass one of the most attractive areas in the High Sierra. The lakes of the Evolution Basin are truly breathtaking. Enjoy a break at the hut at Muir Pass before the long descent to Le Conte Canyon. The final stretch of our route encompasses a hefty climb to the Dusy Basin and Bishop Pass, passing a number of superb campsites along the way, with views of the powerful Palisades to the east. The Bishop Pass Trail is one of the most scenic corridors to the Eastern Sierra, with just lovely lakes on the way to the trailhead at South Lake.

Hikers will pass through the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest and enter Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Wilderness permits are required for backcountry camping, which can be found at www.recreation.gov. For more information regarding advisories, weather, road conditions, campgrounds and more, check out the Inyo National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo, and the Sequoia-Kings Canyon website at https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. Practice the principles of leave no trace, and take action to defend threatened wilderness areas (wildernesswatch.org).