Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

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acvdmlac
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Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by acvdmlac »

I'm interested in hearing about favorite day hikes from trailheads on the Sierra East Slope in the section from North Lake to Whitney Portal. Thinking mostly about aesthetic rewards--views of peaks and Owens Valley; streams, falls and lakes; desert sage to alpine meadows, variety of flora and fauna, etc.. I'm a Level 3 backpacker, have already been over Piute, Bishop, Kearsarge and much of Shepherd Pass, looking for suggestions for other similarly rewarding trails to take a fit but inexperienced newbie on day-hikes from East Side. Something in the 8-12 mile round trip with 1,500-2,500' ascent would be about right. What are favorites? Thanks, I'm all eyes and ears! Love this forum! :)
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gary c.
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by gary c. »

You said that you have been to Kearsarge so you already know how great that view is. I don't see how you could go wrong with a hike to Cottonwood Lakes and maybe New Arny Pass.
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cloudlesssky
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by cloudlesssky »

Gary C. is spot on, the Cottonwood lakes makes a great day hike in the 8-12 mi range. You won't get the 1500-2500 ascent unless you go up one of the Army passes.

Another option would be Big Pine lakes. They get overlooked because there isn't any hiker access out to JMT/PCT. You can adjust your mileage by limiting the number of lakes you visit. A few of the lakes are glacial runoff so they hake that blue opaque look.

Here are some pictures from a day hike I took to Big Pine lakes last year:
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Seventh lake was particularly beautiful in July this past year with lots of wildflowers all around it.
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acvdmlac
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by acvdmlac »

Fantastic! I've been curious about both Cottonwood Lakes & Big Pine areas, now they're on my list..And thanks for the great photos!
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by Rockchucker »

I like birch lake out of mc murray meadows, or shingle mill bench. Both just south of big pine. Also the back trail into coyote from glacier lodge is also nice!
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by DAVELA »

willow lake on the South Fork trail from the big pines th.The view from just above the lake is jaw dropping spectacular and imo better than the big pine lakes. 8-9 miles rt from day hiker parking lot.Quite a few amazing gnarled up bristle cone pine trees in the last mile up.
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by Herm »

DAVELA -
Thanks for that tip. I have been interested in exploring that area, and might just give it an early season try this spring, conditions permitting. Given that I find the views impressive in the North Fork Big Pine Creek drainage, your description of the view tantalizes. I think Schmaltz was looking for some info about the creek crossing - that would be interesting.
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by KathyW »

That 1,500-2,500' gain is a limiting factor. If you're willing to do more gain, your options will grow.
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by SSSdave »

DAVELA wrote:willow lake on the South Fork trail from the big pines th...Quite a few amazing gnarled up bristle cone pine trees in the last mile up.
Actually no bristlecone pines in the Sierra. Likely were looking at foxtail pines or limber pines.
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Re: Favorite East Slope day hikes south of Bishop?

Post by freestone »

Rockchucker wrote:
Also the back trail into coyote from glacier lodge is also nice!
I have always wondered about that trail, if it was abandoned or lost from disuse since there is a road up into that area now. looks like it would be a good choice for an early season trip.
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