Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Bishop — The Buttermilks, Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- California, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Sierra desert (1,400 m)
- Best season
- October – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Sierra desert (1,400 m)
- Best season: October – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Bishop — The Buttermilks
Topic summary
World's premier highball bouldering — 40-ft granite eggs on desert floor.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: October – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Sierra desert (1,400 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Bishop — The Buttermilks trip tools
How to get there
Bishop lies near the northern end of the Owens Valley in Inyo County, California. Use it as the regional orientation point, but confirm the final driving approach and parking location for The Buttermilks before travel.
- Bishop
Regional orientation point and commercial center in the Owens Valley. This identifies the town, not a verified entrance or parking area for The Buttermilks.
- West Bishop
An unincorporated community in the broader Bishop area. It is a geographic orientation point only; no Buttermilks access location is established here.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Bishop — The Buttermilks
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Bishop — The Buttermilks
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Bishop — The ButtermilksAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Bishop — The Buttermilks
Planning to fish Bishop — The Buttermilks, California? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in California are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Bishop — The Buttermilks?
- A California fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current California fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Bishop — The Buttermilks
Thinking about hunting Bishop — The Buttermilks, California? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in California are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Bishop — The Buttermilks?
- Confirm the land around Bishop — The Buttermilks is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in California?
- A California hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Bishop and the Owens Valley setting
Bishop is the regional starting point for this destination profile, near the northern end of the Owens Valley in California’s Mojave Desert. The city sits at 4,150 feet, with the Sierra Nevada nearby. That elevation describes Bishop itself, not The Buttermilks or any particular access point. Bishop is Inyo County’s only incorporated city and serves as a commercial and residential center for the surrounding area. For trip planning, distinguish the town from the outdoor destination: reaching Bishop does not establish the final approach, parking location, or route into The Buttermilks. Use the town as a regional orientation point, then confirm destination-specific directions before leaving. No particular Buttermilks approach or climbing route is detailed here.
A small city within a much larger region
Bishop occupies approximately 1.9 square miles, but the surrounding settlement extends beyond the city limits. Nearby communities include West Bishop, Round Valley, Bishop Creek, Aspendell, and Starlite. These names help distinguish the broader Bishop area from the incorporated town; they should not be treated as interchangeable directions to The Buttermilks. Inyo County extends from the Eastern Sierra east into desert country and covers roughly 10,000 square miles. Much of that area has few or no residents. The practical consequence is to plan the local approach separately from the journey to Bishop. Confirm where an outing actually begins, and do not assume that a nearby community name identifies a public entrance, a parking area, or an established outdoor route.
Planning within the limits of local detail
The regional landscape combines desert surroundings with access to destinations in the Sierra Nevada. That makes weather, water, and the elevation of the actual outing important planning questions, rather than details to infer from Bishop’s town elevation alone. Carry water appropriate to the conditions and check the forecast for the destination, not simply the city. For The Buttermilks, confirm the approach, current access conditions, parking arrangements, and any applicable requirements with the responsible managing agency before travel. A specific season recommendation, route difficulty, or equipment list would require more detail about the intended activity and location. The regional options below are orientation areas only, not verified Buttermilks routes; no local distances or driving times are supplied.
Route options
- Bishop Creek regional orientation
Bishop Creek flows out of the Sierra Nevada and gives Bishop its name. This is regional context rather than a defined itinerary; confirm a specific route and access point before planning an outing.
- Sierra Nevada regional orientation
The Sierra Nevada contains outdoor destinations near Bishop. This identifies the nearby mountain region, not a route through The Buttermilks; no particular trail or climbing line is specified.
Sample itineraries
- Bishop Base and Buttermilks Planning Day · 1 day
Use Bishop as a base to gather supplies and confirm Buttermilks access, conditions and activity requirements locally. Keep outdoor plans flexible until those details are verified; Bishop sits in the Owens Valley near the Sierra Nevada.
- Flexible Owens Valley Weekend · 2 days
Spend the first day in Bishop organizing supplies and checking local access information. Reserve the second for an outdoor outing suited to verified conditions. Choose any Buttermilks objective only after confirming the approach and its suitability for the group.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; check the forecast before departure
Plan for changing temperatures in this desert setting near the Sierra Nevada. Carry layers and confirm conditions at the intended outing location rather than relying on weather in Bishop.
Summer
Summer; choose outing times around forecast temperatures
Bishop's Mojave Desert setting calls for careful heat, sun and water planning. Reduce exertion when temperatures are high and keep enough flexibility to shorten an outing.
Fall
Fall; assess conditions for each outing
Use the local forecast to choose clothing and activity timing. Carry insulation alongside sun protection; a desert valley base does not establish conditions at nearby outdoor destinations.
Winter
Winter; verify weather and access before travel
Account for cold in a valley where Bishop stands at 4,150 feet. Check conditions before heading toward the Sierra Nevada, and do not assume an outdoor objective is accessible because travel in town is straightforward.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; check the forecast before departure | Plan for changing temperatures in this desert setting near the Sierra Nevada. Carry layers and confirm conditions at the intended outing location rather than relying on weather in Bishop. |
| Summer | Summer; choose outing times around forecast temperatures | Bishop's Mojave Desert setting calls for careful heat, sun and water planning. Reduce exertion when temperatures are high and keep enough flexibility to shorten an outing. |
| Fall | Fall; assess conditions for each outing | Use the local forecast to choose clothing and activity timing. Carry insulation alongside sun protection; a desert valley base does not establish conditions at nearby outdoor destinations. |
| Winter | Winter; verify weather and access before travel | Account for cold in a valley where Bishop stands at 4,150 feet. Check conditions before heading toward the Sierra Nevada, and do not assume an outdoor objective is accessible because travel in town is straightforward. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and access rules for the Buttermilks with the managing agency.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Desert sun and heat warrant sun protection, adequate drinking water and conservative activity timing.
- Sparse settlement across much of Inyo County makes advance planning important; do not assume supplies or assistance will be close to an outing.
- Bishop's elevation and proximity to the Sierra Nevada warrant checking temperatures and carrying layers.
- Unverified access and approach details can undermine a trip; confirm the intended location before leaving Bishop.
What to pack for Bishop — The Buttermilks
- Drinking water appropriate to the forecast and outing
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Food for the planned time outdoors
- Layered clothing
- Insulating layer
- Weather protection matched to the forecast
- Verified access and approach information
- Offline navigation
- Charged phone
- First-aid kit
Bishop — The Buttermilks FAQ
- Where is Bishop?
- Bishop is near the northern end of the Owens Valley in Inyo County, California. It lies in the Mojave Desert near the Sierra Nevada.
- Why use Bishop as a trip base?
- Bishop is a commercial and residential center with nearby Sierra Nevada destinations. Use town to organize supplies and verify details before heading to an outdoor objective.
- What elevation should visitors plan around?
- Bishop stands at 4,150 feet, or 1,260 meters. That figure describes the city, not the Buttermilks or any particular approach.
- How should a Buttermilks outing be planned?
- Confirm the exact destination, access, approach, current conditions and activity requirements locally. Select an objective that matches the group's experience rather than committing before those details are established.
- What matters most when heading beyond town?
- Carry water, sun protection, layers and reliable navigation. Much of Inyo County is sparsely populated, so verify supplies and access before leaving Bishop.