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Kearsarge Pass: Independence and Bishop Access

Kearsarge Pass: Independence and Bishop Access reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

Kearsarge Pass provides a major east-side exit from the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail corridor, leading to the Onion Valley trailhead and road access to the towns of Independence and Bishop in the Owens Valley.

Key points

  • Side trail junction near the PCT/JMT corridor around miles ~788–790 northbound.
  • Requires a multi-mile off-trail hike over Kearsarge Pass to the Onion Valley trailhead.
  • From Onion Valley, road access leads downhill to Independence and, farther north, to Bishop.
  • Widely used as a primary Sierra resupply point for hikers carrying multi-day stretches between Kennedy Meadows South and later nodes such as Vermilion Valley Resort or Mammoth.
  • Provides an opportunity to reduce pack weight, rest, and reevaluate logistics in the middle of the high Sierra.

Details

The Kearsarge Pass route is one of the best-known resupply exits in the Sierra Nevada for long-distance hikers. From the main PCT/JMT corridor, a side trail climbs over Kearsarge Pass and then descends to the Onion Valley trailhead, where a paved road leads to Independence in the Owens Valley. From there, additional transport options connect to the larger town of Bishop farther north.

This exit point is often used by hikers who began the Sierra with a substantial food carry from Kennedy Meadows South. By breaking the range into two or more segments via Kearsarge, hikers can manage pack weight more comfortably and schedule a mid-Sierra rest and resupply. Independence offers limited but essential services, while Bishop provides a broader range of groceries, gear, and lodging.

Because the side trip requires additional miles and elevation gain and loss, some hikers choose to skip Kearsarge in favor of other resupply strategies, while others regard it as a core component of their Sierra plan. The decision depends on factors such as entry date, snow conditions, pack capacity, and personal comfort with longer stretches between towns.

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Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.