Hiking to Hungry Packer and Baboon Lakes in Inyo National Forest

Designed by Kendra Cobourn from Somewhere Outside

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Last updated

March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and experienced backpackers

Vibe · Challenging and hard

Distance · 16 miles and 3,270 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Yes! Reserve a Sabrina Lake Trailhead permit

Drive · 4.5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · July to September to avoid snow on the trail

Pets · Welcome at camp and on trails

Hungry Packer and Baboon Lakes are two exceptionally beautiful and lesser known alpine lakes tucked into John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest, located just outside the town of Bishop along the 395. In one short trip this backpacking route crosses through striking alpine meadows in glacial basins, past endless crystal clear lakes with quirky names and finishes each day at a campsite with 13,000+ foot granite peak backdrop along the Sierra Crest. The deeper into the mountains you climb, the more stunning the terrain becomes.

Official Forest Service Website

Latest Forest Service Alerts

Directions to Trailhead

Main image credit: Kendra Cobourn

Campground Campgrounds Itinerary Gear Packing List Food

‍Stuff to know

There is no overnight parking allowed at the trailhead (day use only), so vehicles staying overnight must park on the road before Sabrina Campground. The trailhead is located at the northeast corner of Sabrina Lake, along the left hand side of the road as you approach the lake.
There is a bathroom available at Sabrina Campground but no bathroom at the trailhead. There are no bear lockers or garbage disposal available at the trailhead.
Black bears are active in this area so food storage is mandatory. Using a bear canister or hang your food 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet from a tree trunk are recommended. All attractants (food, toiletries, trash - anything with a scent) should be stored in your canister or hung at all times, not just overnight!
The majority of this route is above 10,000 feet in elevation and if not acclimated terrain at this elevation will feel quite difficult. To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, book a night at a nearby campground and spend the night before the trip acclimating. Sabrina Campground and North Lake Campground are both close to the trailhead. While on trail stay well hydrated, move slowly, break frequently and avoid overexertion. If you feel altitude sickness symptoms occur, descend to a lower elevation as soon as possible.
Plan to refill water where needed in the many lakes and creeks along this route.

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Itinerary

Day One

Hungry Packer Lake. Credit: Kendra Cobourn

Leave LA by 7 AM and drive to Sabrina Lake Trailhead

Take Sabrina Basin Trail from trailhead all the way to beautiful Blue Lake. At Blue Lake there is a signed junction for Donkey Lake or Dingleberry Lake (I wasn’t joking about the quirky lake names!), take a right to head toward Dingleberry Lake. Continue on the Sabrina Lake Trail all the way to Hungry Packer Lake.
The landscape is jaw-dropping. Picture Peak appears to rise right out of the bright blue waters and the mirror reflection of this peak in the mornings is unbeatable!

Arrive early at Hungry Packer Lake to have the best of pick of campsites!

As you approach the lake you will notice a few campsites where the trail ends close to the outlet of Hungry Packer Lake. Most of these sites are too close to the lake’s shore to be legitimate sites even though they are well-worn.
I recommend scrambling along the northern shore to the granite inlet to set up camp with an unobstructed view of the lake and Picture Peak.

If you're feeling ambitious, add a visit to Midnight Lake

The trek to Midnight Lake only adds one mile roundtrip
It's a stunning side trip, well worth the additional mile
Bring water shoes for Middle Fork Bishop Creek crossings if heading out in the early season.

Cook up dinner and settle in

YAY! Soak up the stars and alpine lake views
Enjoy your first sunset at Hungry Packer Lake

Car to camp - 6.8 miles with 2,234 feet of elevation gain - 4 hours

Hungry Packer Lake is tucked away in John Muir Wilderness, a 100-mile stretch along the Sierra Crest in Inyo National Forest

Day Two

Make brekkie, pack up, and hike to Baboon Lakes

Retrace your route back to the junction at Blue Lake and turn right to head up Donkey Lake Trail. This is a lesser taken trail that leads up to Donkey and Baboon Lakes.
Turn onto Baboon Lake Trail almost immediately after hopping onto Donkey Lake Trail. The trail up to Baboon Lakes is only an additional mile from here but it is a strenuous and steep climb which starts of well marked but slowly becomes faint and hard to follow.
The final half mile requires you to pick your way up steep terrain following a series of sporadic cairns. Use a pre-downloaded GPS map to avoid losing your way here! After ascending to the top of the ridge you’ll be rewarding with long views of the basin that are well worth the tough climb

Find a campsite above the lakeshore

The largest and most commonly used campsites are tucked into the area where the trail leads down from the ridge along the northern shore of the lake. These sites can be found a couple hundred feet up from the granite shoreline of the lake and are well protected from wind. There are additional sites found along the eastern shore of the lake. Cross the Baboon Lakes outlet to find a small clearing or granite site on the less-travelled side of the lake.

Take a side tour through the Upper Lakes or explore Sunset Lake

The trek to Baboon Lakes only takes a few hours so spend the remainder of the day exploring the upper lakes or taking a cross-country journey to remote Sunset Lake.