Explore Granite Peaks, Alpine Lakes & Legendary Backpacking Routes
Stretching from Sonora Pass south to Lone Pine, the Eastern Sierra is home to some of the most spectacular hiking and backpacking in North America. Towering granite peaks, glacier-carved basins, crystal-clear alpine lakes and legendary wilderness areas make this a lifetime destination for hikers, photographers and backpackers alike.
Why Hike the Eastern Sierra?
For many hikers, the Eastern Sierra represents the very best of the Sierra Nevada.
Running along the dramatic eastern escarpment of the range from Sonora Pass to Lone Pine, this region is defined by towering granite peaks, deep glacial canyons and trailheads that quickly climb into some of America’s most spectacular alpine landscapes.
Highway 395 serves as the backbone of the region, but the real magic begins where the pavement ends. Nearly every major canyon becomes a gateway into the Sierra’s high country, leading hikers toward alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, granite basins and some of the most iconic backpacking routes in the United States.
This is home to the Hoover Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness and portions of Yosemite National Park. The Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail both cross the region, while Mt. Whitney, Mt. Ritter, Mt. Langley and dozens of other legendary peaks attract hikers and climbers from around the world.
The Eastern Sierra isn’t a place you “finish.” It’s the kind of destination that keeps calling you back for decades, with every canyon revealing another collection of lakes, passes and hidden valleys waiting to be explored.
Quick Facts
- Best Season: June–October (higher elevations depend on snowpack)
- Best For: Backpacking, alpine lakes, granite peaks, photography, peak bagging
- Top Wilderness Areas: Hoover, Ansel Adams & John Muir Wilderness
- Signature Trails: Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail & Mt. Whitney Trail
- Primary Base Camps: Bridgeport, Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop & Lone Pine
Base Camps
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a multi-week backpacking adventure, these communities provide excellent starting points.
- Bridgeport
- Lee Vining
- June Lake
- Mammoth Lakes
- Bishop
- Lone Pine
Signature Hiking Destinations
Bridgeport
Twin Lakes, Green Creek, Virginia Lakes and Hoover Wilderness offer incredible alpine hiking with fewer crowds than many southern trailheads.
Lee Vining & Tioga Pass
Eastern Yosemite access, Saddlebag Lake, the Pacific Crest Trail and some of the highest trailheads in California.
June Lake Loop
Rush Creek, Parker Lake and Bloody Canyon provide beautiful day hikes and outstanding backpacking opportunities.
Mammoth Lakes
Home to Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls, Duck Pass, Mammoth Pass, Shadow Creek and access into the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Bishop
Perhaps the greatest concentration of classic Sierra trailheads anywhere. Bishop Pass, Piute Pass, South Lake, North Lake and countless alpine lakes begin here.
Lone Pine
Gateway to Mt. Whitney, Cottonwood Lakes, Horseshoe Meadow, Whitney Portal and the Alabama Hills.
Wilderness Areas & National Parks
The Eastern Sierra provides access to many of California’s premier wilderness destinations.
- Hoover Wilderness
- Yosemite National Park (east side)
- Ansel Adams Wilderness
- John Muir Wilderness
- Devils Postpile National Monument
- Pacific Crest Trail
- John Muir Trail
Popular Hiking Trails
| Trail | Area | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Green Creek | Bridgeport | Moderate |
| Virginia Lakes | Bridgeport | Moderate |
| Lundy Canyon | Lee Vining | Easy–Moderate |
| Parker Lake | June Lake | Easy |
| Bloody Canyon | June Lake | Challenging |
| Duck Pass | Mammoth Lakes | Challenging |
| Mammoth Pass | Mammoth Lakes | Moderate |
| Shadow Creek | Mammoth Lakes | Moderate–Challenging |
| Rainbow Falls | Devils Postpile | Easy |
| Devils Postpile Trail | Devils Postpile | Easy |
| Convict Lake Loop | Convict Lake | Easy |
| Sherwin Lakes | Mammoth Lakes | Moderate |
| Bishop Pass | Bishop | Challenging |
| Long Lake | Bishop | Moderate |
| Chocolate Lakes | Bishop | Moderate |
| Little Lakes Valley | Rock Creek | Easy–Moderate |
| Piute Pass | North Lake | Challenging |
| Mt. Whitney Trail | Lone Pine | Extremely Challenging |
Favorite Backpacking Adventures
- Green Creek
- Virginia Lakes Basin
- Thousand Island Lake
- Ediza Lake
- Garnet Lake
- Shadow Creek
- Duck Pass
- Bishop Pass
- Piute Pass
- Little Lakes Valley
- Cottonwood Lakes
- Mt. Whitney
- 20 Lakes Basin
- John Muir Trail sections
- Pacific Crest Trail sections
Why We Love the Eastern Sierra
The Eastern Sierra feels different from every other part of the range. Driving Highway 395, you’re surrounded by towering walls of granite where nearly every canyon promises another adventure. From the road, you see dramatic peaks and steep mountain walls. Step onto a trail, and those same canyons unfold into hidden alpine lakes, glacier-carved basins and expansive meadows that many visitors never realize exist.
We’ve always thought of these canyons as portals. Green Creek, Rush Creek, Bishop Pass, Piute Pass, Duck Pass, Whitney Portal—each one opens the door to an entirely different world. Some lead to quiet day hikes, others to week-long backpacking trips, but every trail offers a chance to experience the grandeur that makes the Eastern Sierra legendary.
If Lake Tahoe is where many people fall in love with the Sierra, the Eastern Sierra is where many hikers spend a lifetime deepening that relationship.
