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Parchers Resort is the jumping-off point for
some of the most pristine and scenic hiking
and backpacking in not only the Eastern
Sierra, but in the continental United
States. South Lake is an access
trailhead for The John Muir Trail via
Bishop Pass. In
addition, The John Muir Trail may be
accessed via Piute Pass from North Lake
which is only eighteen minutes from Parchers
Resort. The North Lake-South Lake loop
is the famous Rainbow Trail and includes
spectacular scenery visiting such areas as
Dusy basin, Le Conte Canyon, Muir Pass,
Evolution valley, and Humphrey’s Basin.
Imagine having Yosemite Valley to yourself.
It will seem like it.
There are also many day-hike trails close to
Parchers Resort. This includes trails
to the Treasure Lakes, Green Lake, Tyee
Lakes and Long Lake. If you widen your
sphere to include hiking from nearby Lake
Sabrina, then you have day hikes to Blue
Lake, Emerald Lakes, Dingleberry Lake, and
George Lake. Five minutes from there
is the North Lake trailhead which will take
you to Grass Lake, Lamarck Lakes, Wonder
Lakes, and Loch Leven. The possibilities of
backcountry recreation are unlimited.
Read below the
description of the local backcountry written
in a 1930’s Parchers brochure.
“The hidden
lakes of the Bishop Creek basin have for
many years been the retreat of mountain
lovers and sportsmen who, in the seclusion
of these unfrequented spots, find solace and
contentment together with the rarest of
sport. Within a few miles of Parchers
Rainbow Camp are more than a score of these
lakes, of which provide excellent trout
fishing. Some of these lakes are found
in granite pockets above timberline,
surrounded by rugged peaks of the Sierra
crest line. Others lie on pine-shaded
benches. All are reached by good
trails”
It is an amazing fact
that little has changed up here in the
seventy years since those words were
written..
Before
your backpacking trip, stay at Parchers in
one of our inexpensive Hiker Cabins and have
your “last decent meal” in The South Fork
Restaurant. After your hike come
to Parchers and clean up and satisfy
yourself with a shower, a piece of Grandma
Donna’s apple pie, and another night in a
hiker cabin. Be prepared to share your
tales with other hikers in the camp.
For information about
trail conditions, call the Inyo National
Forest at:
White Mountain
Ranger Station
760-873-2500
760-873-2501 TDD
798 North Main Street
Bishop, CA 93514
Hours: 8:30
am to 4:30
Open all
year
Monday-Friday in
winter
Most of the backcountry
areas are in the John Muir Wilderness and
require a permit for overnight use.
For
information on trail quotas and the
obtaining of wilderness permits, see the
following link.
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Family of
Backpackers headed to Green Lake
Dusy Basin
Treasure Lakes
Grouse Meadows
Long Lake
Le Conte Canyon
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