01
Best overall pick
Bishop Pass Trail via South Lake
Bishop Creek Canyon West Of Wilkerson • High-Alpine Pass And Lake Corridor • Bucket-List Big-Mile Day
A classic Eastern Sierra route that strings together sparkling lakes on the way to a lofty pass with huge views into the high country.
From South Lake, the Bishop Pass Trail climbs steadily through a staircase of basins, with good turnaround options at Long Lake or Saddlerock Lake if you do not want the full push to the pass. Expect solid elevation gain, high altitude, and stretches of rocky tread that reward you with dramatic ridgelines and deep blue water at nearly every rest stop. The paved access road makes this feel surprisingly accessible for such wild, high terrain.
02
Best alpine lakes sampler
Sabrina Basin Trail
Lake Sabrina, West Of Bishop • Lake-Dotted Glacial Basin Hike • Best Mix Of Effort And Reward
A versatile out-and-back from Lake Sabrina into a basin packed with lakes and granite scenery, easy to tailor to your energy and time.
Starting at the dam at Lake Sabrina, the trail climbs along the shoreline before bending into a classic U-shaped valley framed by peaks. Many hikers aim for Blue Lake as a moderate, family-friendly goal, while stronger parties continue deeper to higher lakes for more solitude and bigger views. It is a great choice if you want high-country scenery without committing to the steeper passes nearby.
03
Most iconic scenery
North Fork Big Pine Creek to First and Second Lakes
North Of Big Pine Along Glacier Lodge Road • Glacial Valley And Turquoise Lakes Route • Photographer’S Dream Trek
A well-built trail that climbs beside waterfalls and forest to unreal turquoise lakes beneath the jagged wall of Temple Crag.
This hike is a bit of a drive from Wilkerson but repays the effort with some of the most photographed alpine lakes in the range. The grade is steady but manageable, and you can pause at viewpoints over cascades and side canyons before the trail opens onto the milky blue waters of First and Second Lakes. Go early for cooler temperatures and easier parking at the popular trailhead.
04
Best low-commitment outing
Buttermilk Country Trails
Foothills West Of Wilkerson • Granite Boulder Fields And Short Ridgeline Rambles • Laid-Back Sunset Wander
A network of informal paths and old roads through big granite boulders, perfect for short hikes with sweeping Sierra and valley views.
Buttermilk Country is better known to climbers, but hikers will find plenty of short, choose-your-own-adventure loops and out-and-backs on old jeep tracks and use paths. The terrain is open and rolling, so you can simply park along the main dirt road and wander toward whichever boulder piles or ridges catch your eye. It shines in late afternoon and evening, when the light hits the Sierra crest and you can keep things mellow without missing the scenery.
05
Best quieter alternative
Horton Lakes Trail
Round Valley, Northwest Of Wilkerson • Creekside Climb To Alpine Bowls • Quieter High-Country Option
A less-busy trail that follows a lively creek into a hanging valley dotted with small lakes and views back over the Owens Valley.
From the Horton Creek trailhead, the path climbs alongside willows and cascades before breaking into open meadows and rocky benches. It feels more rugged and less manicured than the main Bishop Creek canyon trails, which helps keep traffic down and adds a bit of adventure. Bring good footwear for stream crossings and uneven tread, and plan to linger at the upper lakes where the cirque walls frame a surprisingly intimate alpine pocket.