High Sierra Topix

Thinking of heading on a 5 day (intermediate level) backpacking trip in the eastern sierra around Bishop this upcoming mid summer. We'd be going around 5-8 miles a day. I've been to a few areas down there but I'm wanting to go on a trip and wondering if anyone here has any suggestions of good trails with some nice fishing as well. Another area I've been thinking of is the Kings Canyon area. Preferably the majority trip would be around 10000' elevation. Thanks!

NK

My two favorites would be Mono Pass into Pioneer Basin, Fourth Recess, etc. or Paiute Pass into Humphreys Basin. Both have lots of options for poking around and either taking your time, or putting in some big miles. Plenty of decent fishing in both. And both are spectacular.

We have trip reports on them both on our website: backpackthesierra.com

Or you could use the search function on this site and look for Humphreys basin.

Yes...but he would have to know that Humphreys Basin is an option, first. :>)

But, you seem to keep pointing people to your site instead of promoting HST.

Sorry. I'm on here and believe in this site. But I also have a lot of info on my site...

Mine is non-commercial, so no ulterior motive.

How do you feel about class 2 off trail travel? Is that still an "intermediate hike"? One possibility that comes in at under 40 miles would be a North Lake to South Lake loop that starts going over Lamark Col. Fishing at both Lamark Lakes, Darwin Lakes, Darwin Bench, Dusy Basin, and the east side of Bishop Pass. If more than one person arriving in separate vehicles, you could leave one at the South Lake trailhead before shuttling to North Lake or use a bus/hitch/walking or some combo to get back to the car at the North Lake trailhead. Depending on when mid-summer is and the amount of snow pack, you could need crampons to get over the col. By August, you should be fine without traction devices as I doubt this is going to be an above average snow year.

Although both popular areas with high use, Dusy and Sabrina basins would fit your objectives. Most people quickly run over Bishop Pass, but the lakes on the east side are very nice. A day-hike loop through Chocolate Lakes is very scenic. You can camp away from the crowds if you look around. Same with Dusy Basin. Once away from the trails, you can get some solitude. You may want to look up my 2016 trip report (pg 55).

Sabrina basin is great for a 5 day trip. One day to get into a base camp at Blue Lake, with fishing at upstream lakes on day 2. Then move to the Hungry Packer area. Although a bit gnarly to get to, fishing is good at Fishgut lakes and upstream of them. Scenery is outstanding, although fishing good but not stellar.

Humphreys Basin from North Lake is the no-brainer for fishing and scenery accessible in a 5-day trip. It is well used, but quite large and there are plenty of isolated places to camp away from the crowds. Again, spend one night east of Piute Pass and fish these lakes.

Another very scenic area is First through Seventh Lake, although fishing is not that great. This area is however at lower elevations - if staying around 10,000 feet is a priority of yours.

As for Lamark Col and the approach and descent into Darwin Basin, I would not call it "easy". North Lake to South Lake via Lamark is a great trip but would not leave a lot of time for fishing. You did not say how much emphasis you put on fishing vs. hiking.