BISHOP

The next morning was sunny, just like the previous three days (and, for the most part, the previous three weeks). We watched the local marmots frolic while we were eating breakfast. There were three of them, and at least one of them was trying to have sex with at least one, or possibly both, of the other two. This provided all kinds of entertainment.

We packed up and returned to Piute Pass. We stopped there for a break and let a train of pack horses go by. The snow below Piute Pass had finally receded enough to allow horse traffic. We were both dreading the long, steep, pounding descent down the valley, but it didn’t seem as bad as it had on the way in. Having lighter packs certainly helped. The weather was still nice, but the wind really picked up that afternoon. Luckily, by that point we were down in the forested valley. It would not have been a good night to camp near Piute Pass or Desolation Lake!

We reached the car around mid-afternoon and drove back to Bishop. First, we stopped at a laundromat where we thought we could buy showers. However, the manager wasn’t there. Our second attempt was at the Hostel California. That worked out nicely. They had a nice, clean shower for a reasonable price, and everyone there was a hiker or climber.

Next, we thought about checking out the local dispensary. There is only one, but Google showed that they were open until 9. The place had an amusing review. Here it is, in its glorious, unedited entirety:

“Just wished they open when it says it does waited about an hour then decided to go home still will go just hope they open when it says it does”

You would think that a customer of a marijuana dispensary would be more familiar with the effects of marijuana. But I digress….

So, we drove over there about 5:30 and they were closed. I guess maybe I should stop making fun of that review.

Afterwards we picked up groceries before heading to the Mountain Rambler Brewery for dinner. This was a really nice place with good food and decent beer. Over dinner, I frantically attempted to plan the last 3+ days of our trip. Since we had finished our backpacking trip early, we had time to kill, and I wanted to make the most of it.

When we added an extra day in Yosemite National Park, we dropped White Mountain Peak, a 14er, from our itinerary. That mountain isn’t far from Bishop. Christy didn’t want to attempt a 15 mile hike with 3,360’ of elevation gain (and loss). However, she was content hang out so I could do it. We decided to head that way that evening. Because it is such a long hike, the best strategy is to car camp at the trailhead and start first thing in the morning.

We left Bishop that evening, and stopped a short distance outside of town for sunset. Then it was on towards the biggest mountain of our trip.

Back to California

Back to Hiking and Backpacking Trip Reports

Home

Please remember to Leave No Trace!