Horton Lake Trail

[ProCaliberTraveler]

This is the Horton Lake Trail directly west of Bishop, CA in the Sierra Nevada. The unmaintained, overgrown, rocky trail is an old mining road that was abandoned many decades ago and it meanders up the canyon between Mt. Tom and Basin Mountain. This is known as the trail you take to climb Mt. Tom at above 13,600 feet in elevation, and climbers typically camp at Horton Lake. The trail is roughly 7.5 miles round trip with almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain. I had been staring at this canyon from the valley every day since I moved to Bishop and finally I got a chance to explore it.

I did not get caught in a thunderstorm this time. However, my hiking partner's dog couldn't continue because his pads had been rubbed raw by the condition of the trail. So, his owner had to carry all 80 lbs of his dog on his shoulders for the final 1.5 miles.

There are some small waterfalls/cascades along Horton Creek on the way up to Horton Lake.

Bishop is visible in this image with the White Mountains in the background.

 

[AlanLichty]

Sounds like a fun place to explore - assuming you don't have to carry an 80lb. pooch back down. Beautiful views from the trail.

 

[JimFox]

Wow! What a great location Michael. I haven't heard of this trail before, but it looks like a super cool place. Did you get to Horton Lake? I would love to see a photo of it. What was your beginning and ending elevations?

That's a shame about the dog's feet. It's one of many reasons as to why I wouldn't take a dog hiking with me. But I know many people are really attached to their dogs so it's hard to leave them behind.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

Wow! What a great location Michael. I haven't heard of this trail before, but it looks like a super cool place. Did you get to Horton Lake? I would love to see a photo of it. What was your beginning and ending elevations?

That's a shame about the dog's feet. It's one of many reasons as to why I wouldn't take a dog hiking with me. But I know many people are really attached to their dogs so it's hard to leave them behind.

Here’s a phone shot of Horton Lake. Photos don’t do these places justice.

the trailhead is at 8200 feet and the lake is around 10,000 feet.