Bishop Creek CanyonBishop Creek Canyon comprises of three main forks that contain more than 100 lakes, dozens of streams, untold number of flower filled meadows and all with amazing scenery. Most of the lakes are above or near timberline, cupped in granite basins with sheer cliffs and snowcapped peaks. It would take all summer long to see everything they have to offer in this part of the Eastern Sierra. I had but three days!
South Fork Bishop Creek 
The reason I was up here was I was dropping off some friends at the Bishop Pass Trailhead at South Lake for their backpacking trip. They were going to hike a section of the John Muir Trail for a week. We stayed a night in Bishop to acclimate for the higher elevations.
For breakfast the next morning, we went where the locals go for a home cooked meal. The Eastern Sierra best kept secret is of course “Jack Waffle Shop”. Lots of food, great service and a pretty waitress served us. As a fisherman, I loved the large trophy fish lining the walls. Highly recommend!
Jack’s
After a full breakfast, we drove up 168 to the Bishop Pass Trailhead at South Lake. What a busy trailhead! Must be over a 100 parking spaces here and most were already taken. We found a parking spot and the guys got ready for their trip. I got my daypack on as I was going with them as far as Bishop Pass before saying goodbye and turning around back to the trailhead.
Well by the time we were walking along Long Lake, I started feeling bad and developing a headache. Altitude sickness is what they call it. Was hoping the night in Bishop would help, but probably not high enough elevation to do me any good. Said goodbye to my friends, who were feeling fine and took off back down the trail. Anybody who had altitude sickness knows how it can make you very sick and weak very quickly.
Long Lake
By time I hiked down to the Bishop Pass Trailhead, I was feeling better but still had a headache. On my drive down I stopped off at the South Lake dam where Parchers boat dock is to check out the level of South Lake. It’s really low!
South Lake
Met a couple of Parchers employees at the boat dock shack and they mentioned they had vacancy’s at Parchers if I needed to rest up for a few days. Wasn’t planning on it but stayed at Parchers for the next 3 nights at one of their historic cabins that originally was a part of Paradise Lodge on lower Rock Creek. How cool is that!
Parchers
Original Paradise Lodge Cabin
After settling in at my cabin and resting a bit, I went over to the store and met Jared Smith (also known as Smitty) for fishing suggestions. I noticed when I asked that question all his employees rolled their eyes up, because Jared is a self-proclaimed fishing addict who loves to talk about anything to do with fishing. Anyway, got some great suggestions and made my plans for the next three days.
Parchers Store
Employees at Parchers were a great bunch of mostly collage age kids who really love the outdoors. The young lady’s working here probably could out hike and out fish most guys I know! Where were girls like this when I was growing up? Having said that, I took their suggestions and made my plans for the next three days. I decided on:
Chocolate Lakes for my first day
Treasure Lakes for some golden trout fishing for day 2
Fun hike on a pipeline to
Green Creek Basin on my last full day
Next up I head-up to the
“Chocolate Lakes”.

To be continued………………………………………………………………………