TR: Sabrina Basin - Rancho Relaxo

[davidsheridan]

TR: Sabrina Basin & Bishop Area Day Hikes

While this TR certainly does not compare to the epic Sierra adventures I usually come across on HST where members rack up mileage, scale numerous passes and catch 25” golden trout… I submit to a TR about a more relaxed and very enjoyable trip to the Eastern Sierra

My wife and I started with a couple days in Bishop and some acclamation hikes in the area. Afterwards, we would take a 5 day backpacking trip into the Sabrina basin.

Our first acclimatization hike was in the White Mountains, the Methusala Trail at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. We really enjoyed this great trail. (You must pick-up the self-led trail guide that describes 24 points of interest and the science and history of this remarkable place)

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Afterwards we enjoyed a nice swim at Keough’s Hot Springs just south of Bishop.

The next day, we went to Little Lakes Valley and hiked to both Chickenfoot Lake and Gem Lake. I have never been to this Trailhead before, and had heard so much about it as it relates to being a great beginner backpacking location. It was a perfect place for an acclimatization hike.

Both nights we ended up at the Mountain Rambler Brewery for some good food and beer.

Day 1: Lake Sabrina to Sailor Lake. The Lake Sabrina trail was awesome. My wife and I both thought that this was one of the most well-constructed trails we had been on, a pure joy! From Lake Sabrina, which was very beautiful, past Blue Lake and Dingleberry Lake, on to Sailor… - awesome trail!

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We spent 3 nights camped at Sailor Lake. Unfortunately, the weather was not good. Every afternoon and evening we varied levels of unstable weather and storms.

Day 2: Echo Lake Hike

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Day 3: Favorite Day = fishing and hiking + fishing at sunrise! – Left Sailor Lake before sunrise, to fish Moonlihgt Lake at sun rise

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Back to Camp to cook breakfast on a very relaxing morning, then we headed cross country to the ridge between Midnight Lake and Sailor Lake. Once we gained the ridge , we headed to Hungry Packer Lake. – Super fun terrain for us and our comfort level, cross-country, great granite, moderate route finding.

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We descended to Hungry Packer, had a delicious lunch, then trail-hiked it to Midnight Lake.


Day 4: We descended to Blue Lake via trail, Pitched our tent, then hiked to Baboon Lakes via the normal trail. The trail was not easy and we were tired when we reached Lower Baboon Lake. About the same time, a nice storm moved in fast
with some dark clouds and lightning. We made it as far as the far-end of lower lake, then decided a prompt retreat was necessary. We decided to follow a climber’s trail down from the gap between lower Baboon Lake and Middle Baboon Lake. We descended quickly and ultimately joined the mane trail between Donkey Lake and Blue Lake.

Day 5: 1 coffee and a clif Bar…

[davidsheridan]

It was a Zen Trip'

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We also finaally checked out the Mono Lake Tufas on the way home too

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[gary c.]

Great report and pictures. It brings back some good memories of my trips there.

[kpeter]

I never get tired of Sabrina Basin. It remains one of my favorite places on the planet. Thanks for taking me back there

[texan]

Thanks for the TR. Did you fish Echo or Hungry Packer and did you catch anything. Thank you.

Texan

[davidsheridan]

Texan: I fished hungry packer very briefly in the middle of the day and caught a small trout (9 inches or so) on a panther martin. I did not fish echo lakes because stormy weather caused us to start heading back to our campsite. I talked to a guy who fished every lake back there and he said the most bites were coming from Moonlight, although all small fish. Small fish were to be had in almost all lakes, I am a novice, so I was happy getting bites. Pre-trip I cam across this video about fishing Hungry Packer and it shows some nice sized fish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp0Cb07-U64

[oldhikerQ]

Thanks for the great trip report and the photos. Sounds like my kind of trip; i'm so done with dawn to dusk death marches.
Reminded me why i lake Sabrina basin so much.

[maverick]

Thanks for the TR and pictures.
Planning on going up to do some Fall photography in the Bishop Creek area among others, the Rabbitbush at Mono looks great in your photo, plan on spending a day or two there too, especially with these incoming systems bringing snow, rain, and thunderstorms to the area!