Bishop Pass from South Lake

 Screenshot of the route

Well, the breathing trick allowed me to keep up with Kathy for a change. I consider this hike to be one of the best in the Sierra because it is difficult, but not for the usual reasons. The Piute Pass trail out of North Lake is made for horses, with big drop steps. It's hard on the horses too. On our last hike there, Kathy and I saw one sympathetic cowboy get off and lead his horse down the steps. 

We got to the trailhead at about the same time as yesterday, about 8:30. The temperature was warmer, about 40 degrees. My pack was completely prepared because I knew what was needed and packed the night before. We got out of the van and started at a good pace with me using the breath step, emphasizing the exhale part of the cycle. It worked and for the most part I kept up with Kathy. 

The trail had a strong female presence and the people we met were either neutral on greetings or friendly. The trail was in excellent shape. The Bishop Pass trail always means coming home, because it is an easy pass to exit from the Le Conte canyon. One common route is from North Lake, over Piute Pass down to the JMT and then south  over the Muir Pass and back over Bishop Pass to South Lake.

Denny on the Piute Pass to Bishop Pass loop 

        

We joined up with friends that did the Lamarck Col shortcut at the Muir Hut

The shuttle from North Lake to South Lake can be done within the highway 168 in a matter of 20 minutes or so. Kathy and I have also done the Kearsarge Pass to Bishop Pass, but it requires having two cars and the drive back and forth from Big Pine. Here is the write up for that one:

Five Passes in 4 days

Approaching the headwall

Slightly wider perspective

Going around a corner to get to ramp

At this point we were .75 mile from the Bishop Pass and decided we were both too tired to do the pass and get back without risk. We were at 11,400 feet and had done 1600 feet elevation gain above 10,000. Maybe next year when I'm 80. If you believe that I have a few things you may be interested in buying. The round trip was 6.5 hours and 9.5 miles.

Lake Sabrina Basin

 

Getting on an iceberg   photo John Knadle (click to enlarge, x to get back)

Surfing an iceberg   photo John Knadle

Sorry for the click bait, but I've got to get your attention somehow. This was taken many years ago, when whitie tighties were standard multipurpose shorts and the author had black hair and beard. Those days are gone, but I would like to recount a recent trip to the Sabrina Basin which kindled old memories. But first, please let me set the context for this most recent trip. 

I have always loved the big lake approach to backpacking in the Sierra. You start high, but have the fisher folk and merchants to thank for paved, plowed roads leading to adequate parking at high elevations. For me, the Sierra is at it's most pristine and wild above 10,000 ft. The above pictures were taken above 11,000 feet at Echo Lake, one of the highest in the basin. 

My favorite lake in the Blue Lake and up drainage is Midnight Lake. It's stark beauty makes for deep thoughts and access cross-country to other higher lakes. I picked it to dazzle my wife Kathy when we were first dating. As you can see from the map, there is a lot of territory between Blue Lake (our objective on Tuesday 9/5) and Midnight Lake. This made for a long first day and stressed the mating ritual, but Kathy hung in there and we had a great time overall. Never fear, the details of the recent Sabrina to Blue Lake will be explained in detail that the map doesn't cover.

Echo Lake on bottom Midnight left of red line near center

Kathy and I celebrating our 25th at Midnight Lake

So, now that I have given a little history of this basin, let's get back to this week's adventures. As any of you who have reached the age of reason, let's say 60, what you could do in the past only becomes relevant at high school reunions or after too much alcohol. I am pushing 80 and Kathy is 15 years younger. Some of my previous behaviors probably could not pass muster in today's world. 

We get to the parking lot at Sabrina at 8:30. It is 36 degrees and Kathy has a very small daypack without gloves or hat. One of her pet peeves is that I monkey around too much getting ready. So, she says " I'm going". From the looks of the ridge we are following, we will not see the sun for an hour or more. This drainage is supposed to be a warm up for Bishop Pass, tomorrow's goal and things are looking bad. 

The Lake is full and there is a great view from the trail

I still can't seem to get my rhythm in order to make good time. Then I remember the breath step. It is inhale through the nose on one step, exhale with pursed lips to two or three steps. The emphasis on the exhalation gets the bottom of the lung clear and allows gravity to fill it. 

So, I'm starting to make better time and there is hope for tomorrow.

Blue Lake looking towards Echo Lake in far distance

So, we take a 15 minute lunch break and head back to the trailhead.

Should have brought the Crocs, which work great 

Sabrina, looking toward the Whites

So, the stats were 3 hours to Blue Lake and 2.5 hours back to trailhead. I will publish another blog on the South Lake to Bishop Pass done on Tuesday 9/6.

Back to our campsite at 4 Jeffries