Attractions and Places To See around Wilkerson - Top 10

Starting in the Owens Valley, this climb gradually leads you toward the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, with an easy initial stretch before the terrain steepens. After a few miles, the grade intensifies, particularly between miles 4.9 and 5.9, where a challenging 11% slope greets you, leading you past picturesque views and the small town of Aspendell. The last few miles offer breathtaking scenery as you near Lake Sabrina, ending with a thrilling descent that ranks among the fastest in the United States.

Beginning in the scenic Owens Valley, this climb gradually ascends through the eastern Sierra Nevada, offering breathtaking mountain vistas. As you near the summit, the road narrows and steepens, with challenging sections reaching up to 14%, while the towering peaks of the Sierra loom above. The final push rewards you with a stunning view of South Lake, nestled at the base of majestic mountain ridges, making every hard-earned pedal stroke worthwhile.

Formerly known as the Druid Stones Trail, the Waganobe Trail has been renamed by the local Paiute Tribe. This challenging downhill trail can be reached a few different ways, but for folks looking for a very full day you can climb the Coyote Valley Road (7S10) with a 4,500-foot elevation gain. Alternatively, you can shuttle cars and complete a shorter 2,600-foot climb up Habegger Road to about 11,000 feet that offers stunning views and fun descents on dirt roads leading to the singletrack portion. The start of the Waganobe Trail is about half a mile south of where Coyote Valley Road (7S10) crosses the West Fork of Coyote Creek. After taking the Coyote Flat Connector to the Waganobe Trail, and after a brief climb, you descend along a doubletrack, and complete another climb. The road then transitions into a steep, overgrown singletrack that opens into a meadow. Cross the meadow and find the trail in a stand of aspen trees until you reach a road, turning right to an open meadow. From here, a faint trail heads east through sagebrush. Watch your pedals in this section. Eventually, a left-hand turn across a creek appears. If missed (which is easy to do), the trail dead-ends shortly after anyway, s you can just backtrack to find the faint path up the hill on your right. This segment is technical if overgrown. As the brush clears, the trail becomes loose, but still super fun. The descent includes a few short, steep climbs, leading to a saddle where another trail splits left. Continuing straight, the landscape changes to open desert with large boulders and you'll eventually encounter plenty of hikers (so be respectful) as the trail becomes increasingly steep and technical over rocks. You continue the steep descent until you reach the trailhead.

These are some interesting rock formations, with the trailhead located just 5 miles from downtown Bishop. The trail to the stones has a considerable elevation gain in a few miles, delivering panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, Bishop Valley, and the White Mountains. The Druid Stones are a popular destination for climbers due to the boulders, but it can also be an interesting hike, offering a different landscape than the alpine trails in the Sierra. Trekking poles are going to be very useful for balance.

Bishop is the largest town along 395 in California's Eastern Sierra region. It's a great place to stop for a resupply or overnight stay. Due to its central location you can reach a number of National Parks & Monuments as well as mountain resorts and desert hot springs.

Bishop sits at 4,140 feet near the northern end of the Owens Valley. The town, situated near the Eastern Sierra Mountains, offers an abundance of outdoor activities such as bouldering, fishing, hiking, and camping.

Bishop is a lovely town in the Eastern Sierras with everything a hiker could need: restaurants, some affordable motels, laundromat, grocery stores, some outfitters for ultralight gear and even a small old-fashioned cinema with great atmosphere. If you are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, it is a nice place to spend a zero day. Hiking northbound, there are two options to get to Bishop. At Bishop Pass Trail, hike 12 miles to South Lake and hitchhike 19 miles to Bishop. Or take the Piute Pass Trail 24 miles farther, hike for 18 miles to North Lake and hitchhike 18 miles to Bishop.