Where to hike with a dog near Bishop: Lamarck Lakes

Like many others lined with aspen trees, this trail is a stunner in the fall. But unlike other hikes I've done in the Eastern Sierras, the trek to Lamarck Lakes includes a walk to the trailhead that was just as beautiful, giving you a two-for-one with just a bit of extra mileage.

The trail starts in a campground with no parking for hikers, but the extra views you get of trembling aspens in their fall colors and the mountains in the distance are well worth the added effort.

Shortly after finding the signs for Lamarck Lakes, you head over some seasonal streams where your dog can take a dip and get a drink. When we visited in early October, however, the water in these creeks was so cold there were icicles and snow still clinging to branches above them, so the dog barely wanted to touch that water.

But once the climb to Grass Lake warmed us all up, she didn't want to leave that water, running and jumping in and around it during a crazed canine gymnastics routine that alpine lakes in particular seem to draw out of her.

Getting there:  You reach this trail by taking Highway 168 ( West line Road) west from Highway 395 in Bishop to North Lake Road, which was a bit steep and narrow at parts, but overall pretty tame compared to other roads we've braved for a great hike. We parked about a mile away on North Lake Road because hikers can't park in the campground, but there is a closer parking lot for hikers if you keep driving until you see the wooden Bishop Pack Outfitter sign to the right and pull in there.

Full disclosure: Since we had just completed a strenuous, high-altitude hike the day before, us humans were not up to continuing on to even Lower Lamarck Lake, let alone Upper Lamarck Lake. But based on the description in the hiking book I used to find this hike and many others, Best Dog Hikes in Northern California, going the extra mile or so to the first lake at least is definitely worth it.

Words to the wise:  There were toilets at the trailhead and plenty of water for the dog in early fall, but I don't remember water being available for humans. Once you get away from the campground and into the wilderness, your dog can be off-leash as long as you have voice control.