Sierra summer: you can still find room to roam in the Sierra Nevada less traveled

Sunset, June, 2002 by Jeff Phillips

THREE END-OF-THE-ROAD HIKES. Big Pine Lakes (north fork of the Big Pine Trail). Glacier-fed lakes and stone cabin. DISTANCE. 6 miles round trip to cabin; 9.6 miles round trip to Second Lake. DIFFICULTY: Moderate; 2,200-foot elevation gain to lakes. WHERE: From Big Pine, drive west 10.5 miles on Glacier Lodge Rd.

Lake Sabrina. Start right at Lake Sabrina and in about 3 miles reach Blue Lake, which sits beneath jagged peaks. For a longer hike to the lush meadows and ponds at Emerald Lakes, take the trail to Dingleberry Lake. DISTANCE: 6 miles round trip to Blue Lake; 8 miles to Emerald Lakes. DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Blue Lake; moderately strenuous to Emerald Lakes. Both hikes climb more than 1,300 feet. WHERE: From Bishop take State 168 west 22 miles. Little Lakes Valley. Hike along Rock Creek and past a chain of lakes that starts from a 10,300-foot trailhead. Stay left 0.5 mile into hike for Little Lakes Valley and Morgan Pass. DISTANCE: 4 miles round trip to Long Lake. DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. WHERE: From Tom's Place, take Rock Creek Rd. 10.7 miles to road's end.

LODGING. Bishop Creek Lodge. Twelve cabins and a restaurant are near a trailhead at South Lake west of Bishop. From $85. (760) 873-4484 or www.bishopcreekresorts.com. Rock Creek Lodge. Good access to several trailheads off Rock Creek Road and a restaurant keep the 14 cabins full. From $80. Mammoth Lakes; (877) 935-4170 or www.rockcreeklodge.com.