Seven miles from South Lake to Bishop Pass at 11,972ft, then down into a granite playground of tarns and massive peaks. The fastest way above treeline in the Sierra.
One of the fastest ways to get above treeline in the Sierra. In just 7 miles you climb from South Lake to Bishop Pass (11,972ft) and drop into Dusy Basin: a sprawling granite playground of tarns, slabs, and massive peaks. This is a weekend trip that delivers scenery most people spend a week hiking the JMT to reach.
Start: South Lake Trailhead
End: South Lake Trailhead
Water: Bishop Lakes, Timberline Tarns, streams in Dusy Basin
Steady climb past Long Lake and Bishop Lakes; final switchbacks to Bishop Pass (11,972ft); descent into Dusy Basin. High altitude - acclimate beforehand.
Water: Same as Day 1 in reverse
Retrace route back over Bishop Pass. Mostly downhill, ~3 hours without many breaks. Optional: explore upper Dusy Basin in morning before departing.
Thunderbolt Pass and Palisade Basin (cross-country, experienced only); Mt. Agassiz (~2,000ft class 2 talus from pass); Bishop Lakes loop on return
Dusy Basin is in Kings Canyon NP/Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness (NOT John Muir Wilderness - JMW is east side only). Bugs brutal in early July. Can extend to 3 days as base camp trip. Fall colors (aspens in canyon) are spectacular in early October. Parking at South Lake can fill early on weekends.
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