2 Day Trip Ideas: 48 Hours of Adventure in Bishop

Rising to just over 4,000 feet in elevation, Bishop, California is a town of about 11,000 people nestled in a high desert valley, wedged between the High Sierra and the White Mountains. With nearby national parks and national forests, deserts and mountain peaks, there’s much to do and be discovered in the Bishop area. Many pass through Bishop en route to Yosemite, just north of the town, while others pass through southbound to Death Valley. Whichever way you’re going, and wherever you may be heading, make sure you take the time to stop in Bishop.

To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve put together a two day trip guide packed with must-see sights and unforgettable experiences. Be sure to have a camera ready for all your high desert adventures—you’ll want to capture the stunning beauty waiting around every turn.

Day 1

First things first, plan for a solid day hike. Before hitting the road, stop at Manor Market, a small-town grocery with locally sourced produce, meats, and cheese and stock up on a picnic lunch for your mid-day summit. They also have a fine wine and beer collection if you’d like to toast to your trek once you’re at the top.

From there, head about 20 miles outside of town to Lake Sabrina in the Bishop Creek Canyon region. Sabrina is one of a series of glacial alpine lakes high in the Sierra Nevada, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks. Trails here range from 6 to 12 miles, offering breathtaking panoramas of the mountains and valley below. The 6.2-mile roundtrip hike to Blue Lake is strenuous but manageable; take your time climbing the switchbacks and savor the scenery. Once you reach the top, enjoy a well-earned picnic before beginning your descent back to the trailhead.

Once you’ve finished your hike, head back to Bishop to freshen up for dinner and a celebratory beer. Head to Whiskey Creek for post-hike beers and dinner. The restaurant has been a local tradition since it opened in 1924. Featuring local microbrews, steaks, pasta, salads, and more—it’s a perfect nightcap after a long day on the trails. When your belly is full, rest up. You have another big day of adventures tomorrow!

Day 2

Wake up bright and early and stop by one of Bishop’s local coffee shops for a fresh cup of coffee and a pastry. Pick up a sandwich or a baked treat to enjoy later in the day. Afterward, take a stroll through downtown Bishop, where you’ll find a variety of charming local shops, from antiques and art galleries to specialty stores featuring outdoor gear and western wear.

When you’re ready to take off for your next adventure, head 41 miles (about an hour southeast) to Inyo National Forest’s Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest to marvel at the oldest trees in the world. The drive to the forest is a beautiful one, winding through the Sierra Nevada and climbing in elevation as you go. Some of the trees that you’ll see are more than 4,000 years old and have distinctive gnarly, twisted limbs. The most famous tree is in the Schulman Grove, and is known as Methuselah—it’s 4,773 years old. Take your time exploring the groves via well-maintained dirt roads in the national forest. Just don’t forget water—the area is dry and there isn’t much shade. Perhaps you’ll have the inclination to stay till sunset. If you do, plan to be back in Bishop in time for dinner.

When you return to Bishop in the evening, you can choose from a variety of places like Sage Restaurant for an upscale dinner to BBQ at Holy Smokes. Lastly, it wouldn’t be a trip to Bishop without a nightcap at Rusty’s Saloon—a good ol’ American dive bar with cheap beer and pool tables.

If you have kids (or history buffs) along, squeeze in a quick tour of Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site, just north of town off Hwy 6. And if you don’t have time during this visit, there’s always next time (and we’re pretty certain you’ll want to return!)

Originally written by RootsRated.

Featured image provided by brian washburn