"To the Ends of the Eastside & Beyond" - Trip & Conditions Reports

After four months of near daily use, long miles, and rugged Sierra terrain, our staff review the La Sportiva Bushido III trail runners. Lightweight, stable, highly responsive, and impressively durable, these shoes shine on steep descents, rocky trails, and multi-pitch climbs. Here’s Chris’s honest take after real-world testing.

A warm November day made for an excellent hike from North Lake to Piute Pass, with light ice, muddy sections, and wide-open High Sierra views. This conditions update covers trail status, creek crossings, footwear tips, and what hikers can expect before the next storm arrives.

A peaceful fall hike from Lake Sabrina to Blue Lake revealed crisp air, melting snow, and quiet Sierra trails. With minimal crowds and stunning alpine views, this update details current trail and snow conditions—perfect for hikers planning late-season adventures near Bishop and the High Sierra.

Paved roads are easy, but how about the unpaved ones? We spend a bunch of time in the desert, so we want to keep fellow desert rats in the loop. Fresh desert road conditions from Saline Valley to Death Valley, including North Pass, Hunter Mountain, and the Racetrack. Snow, washboard, and washouts all noted—updated for mid-October. Perfect for high-clearance and 4WD drivers planning remote backroad adventures in the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley region.

Join Eastside Sports staff on a fall climbing trip to Little Egypt’s Frontier Wall near Bishop, CA. Discover quiet granite walls, classic cracks, and stunning Sierra views. From Jammin’ with Jane to Classic Crack, this underrated crag offers solitude, challenge, and year-round adventure in the Eastern Sierra.

Time travel and visit Bodie Ghost Town in California’s Eastern Sierra to experience 100+ preserved buildings, gold-mining history, and unique sights like the intact stamp mill. When you step out of your car, you feel like you have stepped straight into the 19th century. Enjoy scenic drives, Mill Tours, and off-the-beaten-path adventures while learning about life in a high-elevation, windswept historic town.

Store co-owner Matt tackled Contact Pass in September, navigating loose talus, crisp alpine air, and wildfire haze. This rugged Big Pine Creek route rewards with sweeping views of Temple Crag, the Palisades, and turquoise lakes—making it a standout late-season hike in the Eastern Sierra.

Cloudripper is a 13,525 ft peak in the Inconsolable Range of the High Sierra, close to Bishop, CA. Its West Chute route is often considered one of the best “intro to Sierra scrambles” because it combines real alpine exposure with manageable technical demands. Read the report from our staff member who recently did on his first alpine trip out since recovering from surgery!

Staff member Marion hiked Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin before scrambling up Mt. Agassiz via the West Slope. A classic Eastern Sierra adventure, this route offers beginner-friendly alpine scrambling, stunning summit views of the Palisades, and a great introduction to peak bagging in the High Sierra.

Eastside Sports staff Tess and Taimur took on a wild Pine Creek Canyon adventure climb known as the “Great Worm.” Along the way, they tested the Sterling VR 96 rope on loose rock, offwidths, and bush-choked pitches—discovering both why it’s a “never again” route and why the rope is a keeper!

Eastside Sports staff take on the challenge of biking Silver Canyon Road outside Bishop—complete with dawn river crossings, steep climbs, and sweeping views of the Owens Valley. A true Sierra “sufferfest” ride that doubles as serious training for hiking, climbing, or backpacking in big mountain terrain.

Got 3 days off? We finally did! Eastside Sports staff headed into the Eastern Sierra for a classic Middle Palisade summit push. What followed was a true alpine adventure: wildflower-filled trails, mosquito-dodging at Brainerd Lake, and 3rd class scrambling on steep, loose rock to reach 14,012 feet. Read on to get our full route notes, gear-tested feedback, and wild Sierra inspiration.