Chocolate Lakes Loop via Bishop Pass Trail
6.8 mi
Distance
3 hrs 21 min
Time
terrain
1,539 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate loop trail to Chocolate Lakes in John Muir Wilderness.
This trail goes by Bull Lake.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo day hiked Fri 10/20/2023 – Spent the night at Forks campground and was lucky enough to see the Orionid meteor shower. Early hike on the Bishop Pass Trail out to Ruwau Lake and then up the north face of Picture Puzzle. The talus was fun to climb but more unstable than even Agassiz with some of the largest boulders frequently moving in spite of careful holds. The few sliding scree sections were ridiculous to cross but the snow was good and the ice not too bad. Views from the Picture Puzzle summit were spectacular with the wind just starting up. The down climb was long and uneventful until a 3 x 4 boulder dislodged and rolled about 50 feet downward which added some real excitement and had me snugging my helmet straps. Got back to Ruwau Lake and hiked up Chocolate Peak which was well worth the views from the top. Took the Chocolate Lakes Loop back to the Bishop Pass to finish off another day of awesome hiking/climbing weather. As other reviewers have mentioned, the Bishop Pass Trail is in great shape for a very scenic hike. Highly recommend this trail but also Picture Puzzle for the scramble/climb/views and Chocolate Peaks for the hike/views.
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