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They have closed the last mile or so of the South Lake Road (branch from Buttermilk out of Bishop) for construction of a new, better parking area. Rangers say in the interim, one can pull off on side of road below Parcher's. The closure started Sept 8, will go into October. No bear boxes near temporary area. I called Bishop Info station yesterday, but they couldn't off much comfort.

Have any folks tried this - parking below Parcher's and walking up? That is a really popular area for photographers this time of year, so I wonder how crowded it will be.

So what is your question? ?? Fall colors are just barely coming out now, I wouldn't think it would be crowded with photographers yet. Hikers/climbers, maybe on the weekend. Pretty dull walk up the road for at least half an hour. Are you trying to get to peaks near Bishop Pass, or just going for a walk?

I should have been clearer: "Have any folks tried this - parking below Parcher's and walking up?" with the qualification: SINCE the closure.

We were aiming for Dusy Basin, overnight permit.

It doesn't save any distance but I think there is still a stock trail from Parchers that intersects the hiking trail near the trailhead. For bear boxes there are a few at the Tyee Lake trailhead about .75 mile below Parchers.

thanks

I saw the signs when I arrived at the trailhead, and ended up cutting a night off my itinerary. As a non-local, I wasn't sure what I could get away with as far as parking on the road.

A friend of mine dayhiked Johnson a few weeks ago. He parked below Parchers, he didnt have any troubles with bears. Just said that last mile was long on his way out.

At least its downhill!!

Should be over soon -- I think Oct 8

Parking area looked freshly paved, still needed lines though as of Sat 10/3. I parked at Parcher's on Sat for an overnight. On my way out ~9pm Sun night a few cars were parked way up in the "no overnight parking" area, I wiped away the snow from one's windshield (about 5" at the TH, maybe 15" average up on the pass around sunset, so much for the forecast of only a few inches) to see if they were ticketed and found they were not, after which I wished I had parked up there too. I did see bear tracks cross the road at one point on my way back down the road, and had left a bit of food in my trunk due to the lack of lockers that I could find at Parcher's and being too lazy to hunt for them elsewhere, but saw no signs of any break ins.