A Dozen or More Wonderful Winter Hikes in the Eastern Sierra
Photo: Michael White
Winter in the Eastern Sierra is wild and wonderful and always unpredictable. The region is well-known worldwide as a premier hiking destination. The Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir Trail, and the hike up to the highest point on the continental US, Mt. Whitney, are major draws for hikers from around the world. Except for the most adventurous among us, these trails are not well-suited to winter hiking. But did you know that whether the mountains and foothills are covered in feet of snow or just getting a dusting, there are many wonderful hiking trails at the lower elevations to satisfy even the most intrepid hiker?
There are easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes that can be easily accessed for a mellow stroll or hours of energetic hiking. These trails and hiking areas can be enjoyed by the whole family, including the furry members, or for those in search of serene beauty and solitude. Since our ‘lower elevations’ are situated between 4,500 and 7,000 feet above sea level, this also presents a perfect opportunity for high Sierra hikers to prepare for multi-day hikes and begin their acclimatization for the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada.
Easy
Owens River and Canals
The lower Owens River twists and turns for 40 miles between Pleasant Valley Reservoir, 10 miles north of Bishop, and Tinemaha Reservoir, 24 miles south. Across the floor of Owens Valley, the river’s vast floodplain is crisscrossed with trails and tracks that follow the river and nearby canals.
What to Expect
These paths wind over grassy banks, between tall reeds, and across sand dunes. They offer everything from a short stroll to a long, interesting hike. Hiking along the valley floor means very little elevation change, but the terrain is open, diverse, and seemingly endless.
The recently restored Buckley Ponds provide water’s-edge access for people with limited mobility. The canals on the outskirts of town are perfect for kids and dogs to safely run and play.
Pleasant Valley Gorge
A walk along the shores of Pleasant Valley reservoir is easy and quiet. The road alongside the east shore of the reservoir is closed to vehicle traffic and it’s a great place for a midday winter walk. The canyon walls rise several hundred feet above the canyon floor and on calm days the water is mirror-like. The dam that created this reservoir was built in the 1950s by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) for water storage and the lake is a very popular angling area. Birdlife in the canyon is abundant and the reservoir is a prime fishing destination.
Happy & Sad Boulder Trails
Two intriguing canyons sit in the Volcanic Tablelands north of Bishop, just east of Pleasant Valley Gorge along Chalk Bluff Road. The Happy and Sad Boulders draw rock climbers with their big boulders and low canyon walls. They offer challenging “problems” for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
These canyons are also great for short, interesting hikes. Each is about a mile long, with trails winding around rock formations sculpted from the soft rock of the plateau.
About 760,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption emptied the magma chamber beneath what is now the Long Valley Caldera, roughly 22 miles northwest. The eruption released extremely hot ash that cooled and hardened. Over time, water carved through the soft Bishop Tuff, creating these canyons and the nearby Owens River Gorge.
McMurry Meadows Loop
All Trails – McMurry Meadows Loop
This is an easy but fairly long hike along a dual-track dirt road just south of Big Pine, about 18 miles south of Bishop. The trail loops around McMurry Meadows, offering excellent views of dramatic Crater Mountain and the beautiful Owens Valley. The full loop follows McMurry Meadows Road and Little Pine Creek. It is about 10 miles round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain and loss. For a shorter outing, follow McMurry Meadows Road along the base of Crater Mountain as an out-and-back, depending on your energy and time. Crater Mountain is a fascinating geological feature and a designated BLM Wilderness Study Area. It is part of the larger Big Pine volcanic field, which also includes Red Mountain, Fish Springs Cinder Cone, and Perlite Dome, among many others.
Mobius Arch Trail
All Trails – Mobius Arch Trail
Just west of Lone Pine in the Alabama Hills, about 60 miles south of Bishop, the Mobius Arch Trail stands out from any other hike in the region. The Mobius Arch is the largest and most scenic of the many natural arches here. It frames Mt. Whitney perfectly, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The arch gets its name from the Mobius strip , a fascinating mathematical shape it resembles.
The trail is a one-mile loop with mostly easy to moderate hiking. There are a few steep sections and a couple of large stone steps. On warm winter afternoons, the late sun casts a magical glow behind the arch. If there are high clouds, the sky can light up in spectacular colors.
The Alabama Hills are full of winding trails and roads, including the famous Movie Road, all set among stunning rock formations.
Moderate
Wagon Wheel Trail
Trail Forks – Wagon Wheel Trail
On the Sherwin Plateau, between Swall Meadows and Paradise, about 18 miles north of Bishop, lies one of the EEastern Sierra’s weird and wonderful attractions. This one is manmade, dating back just over 100 years. Deep ruts are etched into the Bishop Tuff, carved by miners’ wagons pulled by teams of 20 mules.
The old “road” is mostly a memory now, but several wagon tracks are still clearly visible in the rock. You can hike it the easy way: downhill for 2.5 miles with 1,000 feet of descent, including some rocky steps and small obstacles. For a more challenging adventure, hike up and down for a 5-mile round trip—no shuttle needed.
It’s also one of the 6 Great Winter Mountain Bike Rides around Bishop. around Bishop, making it perfect for adventurers of all kinds.
Owens River Gorge
A winter hike into the Owens River Gorge is a true treat. Here, the canyon offers warmth, shelter, and a whole new perspective on the Eastern Sierra. The river runs clear and deep, and the gorge is a thriving riparian habitat. Biodiversity has been steadily increasing thanks to rewatering and ongoing restoration by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Birds are flourishing, and the Owens Tui Chub, a native fish once threatened and endangered, now thrives in this predator free habitat. The hike is out and back or down and up, and you can go as far as you like. The first 1.25 miles are paved to the LADWP power plant. After that, the track turns to dirt.
Further upstream, you will see the skeletal ruins of a derelict power plant. On either side of the river, climbers test their skills on vertical walls. Keep going and the track becomes a trail. Scrambling and clambering become part of the adventure. Bring a picnic and find a sunny spot to sit quietly. Listen to the tumbling call of the canyon wren and soak in the beauty of this magical gorge.
Tungsten Hills
The air is crisp, but the sun is bright and warm. Hiking across the sagebrush and up onto the rocky outcrops of the Tungsten Hills is especially lovely in winter.
You can access the hills easily from Horton Creek Campground, which is closed for camping in winter. Park your car and take a short walk or a longer hike to explore this fascinating geological feature.
The hills get their name from the tungsten mined here until the late 1940s. They are made mainly of granite and quartz diorite. Today, the area is popular for rock hounding. You can still find red garnet crystals scattered throughout the hills.
Whether you have an hour or a full day, it’s worth exploring. The views are breathtaking, with vistas in every direction from the many peaks. Survey markers dot most summits, but only Tungsten Point and the unnamed highpoint have summit registers.
Lower Rock Creek Trail
All Trails – Lower Rock Creek Canyon Trail
This beautiful trail winds through tall Jeffrey pines and dense aspen groves. It follows Rock Creek from the top of the Sherwin Plateau down a narrow canyon for about eight miles one way. The trail is famous as one of the region’s best mountain bike trails. But hikers also get a rare chance to enjoy the solitude of a narrow mountain canyon without heading into the high country. The route is divided into three sections. You can hike uphill or downhill from any of the four access points, making it easy to plan a short trip or a full-day adventure.
Pine Creek Crags Trail
This short hike packs a punch. It climbs moderately steeply into a high walled slot canyon carved into the side of Pine Creek Canyon. Like many spots around Bishop, the canyon walls attract climbers, especially those dreaming of bigger walls and multi pitch routes. From the mouth of the gully, the view stretches across Owens Valley all the way to White Mountain Peak, nearly 30 miles away. It is a quick, energizing hike that rewards you with rugged, rocky terrain and a true taste of the Bishop backcountry.
Strenuous
Buttermilk Hill
A leisurely stroll along well-worn climbers’ trails in and around the gargantuan boulders of Buttermilk Hill is definitely an easy morning or afternoon hike. But a more adventurous hike of more strenuous proportions can be done around and up to the top of Buttermilk Hill. It is deceivingly large and there are numerous dual-tracks and single-track trails that circumnavigate this rocky hill. Surmounting the peak will require some cross-country scrambling and it has a magnificent 360-deg view that is absolutely breathtaking.
Druid Stones Trail
Getting to the Druid Stones is definitely an uplifting experience. The hike climbs about 2,000 feet in a little under 3 miles. From the top, it delivers a bird’s eye view of Bishop and the Owens Valley below. The hike follows a very obvious trail. It starts at the base of Coyote Ridge, just off Bir Road, about five miles from the center of Bishop. The Druid Stones are also popular with rock climbers, though fewer visit because of the long, steep ascent. A winter hike here offers good exercise and peaceful solitude, making it a rewarding adventure.
Eureka Dunes
All Trails – Eureka Dunes Loop
The Eureka Dunes are the tallest sand dunes in California. Nestled in the northwest corner of Death Valley National Park, they stretch about three miles long and a mile wide, sitting in a quiet, enclosed basin at 3,000 feet above sea level.
Hiking to the top isn’t as easy as it looks. The slopes are steep, the sand shifts beneath your feet, and every step feels like a little victory. These are the famous Singing Sands: when the sand is completely dry, it avalanches down the steepest slope of the tallest dune and makes a deep, booming sound—like a bass note on a pipe organ. It’s mesmerizing.
Getting here is an adventure in itself. From Bishop, it’s about a two-hour drive along winding mountain passes and through some of the West’s most remote, rugged landscapes. The last ten miles are on a dirt road, a little rough with washboarding, so go slow and enjoy the ride. This is definitely an all-day excursion, so pack fuel, food, water, and warm layers. Winter snow can sometimes close the pass, so always check the latest road and weather updates.
Daytime can be surprisingly warm, but nightfall brings a serious chill. It’s an unforgettable place—wild, remote, and utterly magical.
Winter Hiking Help
Come in or call the Bishop Visitor Center at 218 S. Main St., (760) 873-8405, to get more details, directions, maps and brochures about these hikes and many others in the area. Let the friendly, knowledgeable staff help you plan your visit to get the best experience and the most from your time.
As always – it is important to remember that winter in the Eastern Sierra is unpredictable and often chilly. Days can be warm and nights cold. Bring clothing to dress in layers. Bring the kids, the dogs, family and friends, binoculars and a camera, and definitely bring your hiking shoes.
Written by:
Gigi de Jong
Gigi is “crazy mad in love with Bishop.” Since moving here in 2006 she has made it her mission to participate in as many of the outdoor activities as possible. She learned to snowboard, improved upon her very average climbing skills, took long hikes, has driven up and down innumerable mountain roads and 4x4 tracks, cycled and occasionally tumbled down mountain bike trails, taken to the roads on a bicycle or motorcycle – sometimes for fun and sometimes to commute, and successfully completed her first attempt at a triathlon. She spent 10 months touring the western US and Canada on a bicycle and after 4,000 plus miles returned to Bishop – for the beauty of the place and the spirit of the community. “My soul belongs here,” she says.
