01
Best easy alpine fix
Little Lakes Valley from Mosquito Flat
Rock Creek Canyon, Above Tom's Place • High-Elevation Lake-And-Meadow Trail • Best For First-Time Visitors
Short mileage and huge views make Little Lakes Valley the classic, low-commitment alpine walk within striking distance of Round Valley.
Starting high at Mosquito Flat, this trail wanders past a chain of cold, clear lakes framed by jagged granite peaks. The grade is gentle enough for newer hikers, but the scenery feels like a full-on Sierra backcountry trip. Go early on summer weekends, when the small trailhead parking area fills quickly.
02
Big mountain pass classic
Bishop Pass Trail from South Lake
South Lake Road, West Of Bishop • Strenuous High-Pass Route With Endless Granite Scenery • Best For Strong Hikers
A steady climb past a staircase of lakes delivers some of the biggest, most rewarding views you can reach in a day from Round Valley.
From South Lake, the Bishop Pass Trail wastes no time gaining elevation as it threads between boulders, krummholz pines, and deep blue tarns. Many day hikers aim for the basin around Long Lake or Saddlerock Lake, turning around before the pass itself while still soaking up the classic Sierra granite amphitheater feel. Expect thin air, strong sun, and a full-day effort if you push higher.
03
Most balanced day hike
Sabrina Basin to Blue Lake
Lake Sabrina Road, West Of Bishop • Granite Basin And Lakes Day-Hike • Best For Varied Scenery
This route packs in forest, creeks, and a string of lakes, all in a manageable day from Round Valley.
Leaving from Lake Sabrina, the trail climbs through mixed forest and slabs of weathered granite before opening into wide basins dotted with tarns and meadows. Blue Lake makes a natural turnaround point, with enough shoreline to spread out for lunch and soak in the skyline. It’s a sweet spot for hikers who want a real workout and high-country atmosphere without committing to a pass.
04
Quiet canyon adventure
Pine Creek Pass Trail
Pine Creek Canyon, North Of Bishop • Remote Glacial Canyon Climb • Best For Solitude And Big Views
Steep at the start, this trail quickly trades old mining ruins and switchbacks for wide, glacially carved scenery and relative quiet.
The Pine Creek trail begins near an old tungsten mine, then climbs a series of switchbacks that open onto sweeping views back over the Owens Valley and Round Valley. Higher up, the canyon softens into meadows, creeks, and scattered trees, with side trips possible to small lakes and benches below the pass. It’s less traveled than the South Lake or Sabrina trailheads, so you’re more likely to hear wind and water than other hikers.
05
Most photogenic outing
Big Pine Lakes via North Fork Big Pine Creek
North Fork Big Pine Creek, South Of Bishop • Iconic Turquoise-Lake Canyon Route • Best For Jaw-Dropping Scenery
Turquoise lakes below knife-edged peaks make this one of the most photographed hikes within a day-trip radius of Round Valley.
From the North Fork trailhead above Big Pine, the path climbs steadily along a noisy creek before breaking into a classic Sierra cirque of glacial lakes. The lower Big Pine Lakes glow an unreal blue-green on sunny days, with the Palisades rising sharply behind them. It’s a long day for many hikers, but the combination of color, water, and rock makes the effort feel absolutely worth it.