It’s another town day, which means a very light pack, low miles, and lots of excitement. I headed up the last mile of Bishop Pass from Dusy Basin in less than an hour.

On the other side of the pass, I had one flat snowfield to cross. I put on my spikes, but really just for the practice of putting them on and taking them off. I doubt the spikes are going to see much use for the rest of the Sierra.

On the way down, I cross another snow patch. This one is cut so deep that I can walk on the rocks under the snow. I can imagine how much more difficult this would all be if the whole trail were covered in snow, which it probably was a few weeks ago.

Down in the valley, I reach Bishop Lake first, an easy rockhop gets me over the stream flowing into the lake. Past the stream I get a good view back up to the pass to see where I’ve just done from.

After Bishop Lake, I passed Saddlerock Lake, and Long Lake shortly after that. I stopped at the top of Long Lake for a snack, but soon realized the mosquitos were making a meal out of me. I decided best not to stop for long, and keep moving past the lake.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the bottom of Long Lake. From this end of the lake, I get a fantastic view over the water, up to the mountains above. I can still see Bishop Pass behind the trees, recognizable by the protruding spine of rock just up from the pass.

I fly down the long and somewhat steep descent from the lakes. I’m on the home stretch to town now, and I’m seeing more and more day hikers with kids and dogs the closer I get. South Lake comes into view abruptly, the last lake to pass for the day. This is the biggest of the Bishop Pass lakes. I can see the trail heading straight down the side of the mountain above the lake, and the trailhead is right at the bottom. In just a few short minutes I reach the road, and just a few minutes later I have a hitch into town, back to Bishop for round two!