Summary 
| Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
| Length | 3.6 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
8500 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+600, -600 feet |
| Navigation | Road |
| Time | Few hours |
| Season | Late November through early April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Mt. Thompson |
| Start |
From downtown Bishop, drive west on Highway 168 for 16.1 miles to the South Lake turnoff. Do not turn; instead continue straight for 2.0 miles, passing through Aspendell, until the road is no longer plowed. |
Description
This relatively short tour to Lake Sabrina gives novice skiers the opportunity to enjoy the dramatic beauty of the Sierra Crest. While the crest is visible from the starting point, the tour offers a closer look at this impressive section where vertical granite walls rise to over 13,000 feet. Mt. Haeckel and Mt. Wallace are two of the prominent peaks you can see.
Since the tour to Lake Sabrina follows the snow-covered road past Aspendell where avalanches off the steep, adjacent slopes occasionally reach the road, this tour should only be attempted when conditions are absolutely safe. Also remember that the season for this tour normally ends in April when the road is plowed, not when the snow melts.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 1.0
Elevation change: +450
From the trailhead (1), ski southwest up the road for 1.0 mile until you reach the turnoff to North Lake (2). If the turnoff is not evident, look for a knob to the west (right) when the road levels off.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 1.0 - 1.8
Elevation change: +150
Ski southwest on the main road for 0.8 mile until you reach the dam at Lake Sabrina (3). Be aware that the lake is subject to collapsing when the water level beneath the ice lowers.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.8 - 3.6
Elevation change: -600
Retrace the route for 1.8 miles back to the trailhead (1).
