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Hiking & Backpacking

Hiking in Bishop’s big backyard is epic! From quick and easy day hikes, any time of year, to exciting multi-day backpacking trips, to thrill-seeking, long-distance backpacking adventures, this majestic landscape has options for all.

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A family of three in hiking gear poses on rocks by a mountain lake with snowy peaks in the background, enjoying the stunning scenery of Bishop, California in the Eastern Sierra. visit bishop

Hiking & Backpacking

Highlights

  • The diverse terrain of the Eastern Sierra offers everything from easy day hikes to adventurous multi-day hiking.
  • Summer hiking in the White Mountains brings hikers in contact with the oldest living beings on the planet.
  • Hiking in Bishop Creek Canyon in summer is the coolest experience in California!
  • Bishop Creek Canyon offers access to the famed Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and iconic John Muir Trail (JMT).
  • Many trails in our pawsome backyard are pet friendly.
  • Bishop’s unique location makes it the perfect resupply hub for thru-hikers.

Resources

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ TRIP ADVISOR REVIEW

I am a PCT hiker and I initially stopped there to buy some postcards. I ended up finding great souvenirs from Bishop and the Sierra. Joe was very helpful and knowledgeable recommending where to go for what I needed. He also had really good advice about the Trail and made my stay in Bishop 100% better. Very friendly place, highly recommend people to stop there first when they visit Bishop.

– EMILIE S.

Hike the Eastern Sierra

The Eastern Sierra has some of the most topographically diverse and beautiful landscapes on the continent. When summer heat is high in the valley, the mountains are cool; when snow blankets the mountains, the valley is often dry and warm. Hiking trails range from under a mile to many miles, from little elevation gain to steep slopes accessing mountain peaks, from easy to strenuous, from less than an hour to many hours. There are countless trails that can be done in less than a day or over many days.

Nestled between the majestic Sierra Nevada and White Mountains, Bishop is a haven for hikers and backpackers. Where the broad expanse of the Owens Valley touches the base of the majestic Sierra and Bishop Creek Canyon carves a path high into the heart of this range, Bishop offers a near limitless spectrum of hiking and backpacking experiences.

Whether seeking solitude or a family adventure, this region, with its vast frontiers from the White Mountains to the High Sierra, promises unforgettable experiences. Beyond the thrill of exploration, hiking in these serene settings offers profound mental and physical benefits. It reduces stress, enhances mood, and builds physical endurance.

Choose Your Hike

Finding the perfect trail in Bishop’s expansive backyard requires a balance between time, challenge, scenery, and season. Whether you’re a day hiker, multi-day backpacker, or long-distance thru-hiker planning your hike is paramount. Every trail is subject to seasonal changes and topographical influences. Your adventure starts with knowing the landscape.

Embarking on a hike in the vast wilderness around Bishop means preparation is crucial. Secure permits as required, be bear aware and utilize a bear cannister where necessary, acclimatize for altitude, know your limits, and always tell someone where you are going, when you expect to be back, and stick to your plan.

Day Hikes

Summer Sierra trailheads start at 8,000 ft – 10,000 ft in elevation and go up from there!  Many people find the altitude challenging, so it’s a good idea to take it slow and spend a day or two to acclimatize at altitude before embarking on a long journey.  Drink plenty of water and arrive well-rested to increase your ability to adapt to the thin air.

Winter high desert options include beautiful hikes in the valley, including Tungsten Peak. Winter walks and hikes among the hills and around the valley floor are a delightful way to spend a warm and sunny winter day in Bishop. There are options for a quick or leisurely walk under an hour or many hours of hiking and exploring. Other wonderful winter walking paths lie alongside the many canals that make up waterways of the valley floor.

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A hiker with a green backpack traverses stepping stones over a serene creek in Bishop, California, with the rugged mountains of the Eastern Sierra looming in the background. visit bishop

Backpacking and Thru-hiking

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is an American classic—211 miles that wind through some of the West’s (and the country’s) most beautiful mountain terrain—sequoia forests and granite mountaintops and deep canyons. The trail’s namesake, John Muir, is well-respected for founding the Sierra Club and for his involvement in shaping Yosemite National Park in the late 1800s. The trail follows along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) for 160 miles, connecting its northernmost point at the Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley to the highest peak in the continental United States at its southernmost point—Mount Whitney—whose summit rises to 14,505 feet. While seasoned hikers often take three or so weeks to hike the trail, some do it in less time, and others, more. Either way, take your time to enjoy the scenery—at your pace. There’s no other trail like the JMT in the world.

Hire a Pack Outfitter

Questions about supported hiking trips? These packers are professionals at getting food and gear into the high country and make these multi-day hiking trips way more fun.

All wilderness permits for guests who hire a packer for a supported hiking trip, aka dunnage and cache (pack it in/pack it out) are provided through the Pack Station commercial quota allocation. These wilderness permits are not issued from the general public quota. If you are riding or hiking with a pack station, the permit will be issued from their commercial quota.

Mule loaded with gear in a forested area, two people in cowboy hats stand nearby, preparing for a journey. visit bishop
Child lying on grass with a sunhat, basket of berries, and tray of assorted vegetables including tomatoes and zucchini. visit bishop

PCT Resupply

Hikers traveling the Pacific Crest Trail are frequent summer visitors in Bishop. We offer a number of gear stores, grocery stores and lodging options to provide a brief respite and resupply your gear and bear canisters. We know you will enjoy your trip into Bishop’s high country and we’d love to see your pictures! Use the hashtag #HikeBishop in your Facebook and Instagram photos and will share them on our social media. Stay safe and come back often!

Seasonal Considerations

The Sierra Nevada, the Owens Valley, and the White Mountains, reveal their beauty in unique ways throughout the year. Spring unfurls with wildflower blooms painting the low country in vivid colors, a sight not to be missed. However, higher trails may remain snowbound until early summer. As summer arrives, the snow melts away, uncovering the full splendor of the wilderness and the profusion of wildflowers and waterfalls is rich in opportunity for exploration. This season is prime for visiting alpine lakes, traversing meadows, and summiting peaks.

This is the time to visit the Ancient Bristlecones and be awed by their age and ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of a cold, windswept mountain top. Fall enchants with its cool air and golden hues, perfect for witnessing the serene beauty of the vibrant aspens in the Eastern Sierra. Winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland, ideal for those prepared with the right gear for cold-weather hiking and snowshoeing.

Weather in the Eastern Sierra is unpredictable and temperature and precipitation can vary drastically at different elevations. Good preparation ensures not only your enjoyment but safety in this wilderness-draped expanse around our small town.

Bishop is Pet Friendly

What better way to explore our small town and its big backyard than with your furry companion by your side? Many trails in the area welcome well-behaved canine hikers. But remember, with this pawsome adventure comes responsibility.

Ensure your dog is always under your control, either by leash or voice commands, always clean up after your pet, be vigilant and avoid unwanted wildlife interactions, keep your pup hydrated and comfortable, and be mindful of the terrain – rocky paths can be sharp or hot on their paws. Follow these guidelines for a memorable and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.

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