Guides/Overland routes/California
Overland route14 midifficulty: moderate

Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05)

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05) — overland route near Bishop, California, California
Dcrjsr — CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
14mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD with low range required for the climb. Several rocky sections argue for skid plates and all-terrain tires.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
Drops out within a mile of the trailhead. Service returns at the plateau in spots and at US-395.
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Coyote Flat is a glacial plateau at 10,000 to 11,000 feet on the eastern Sierra above Bishop, accessed by Forest Road 9S05 on Inyo National Forest's White Mountain Ranger District. The route climbs 4,500 feet from Bishop Creek up Coyote Creek's north fork to the plateau, then runs across high meadow country with views east to the White Mountains and west to the Palisade Crest. The plateau is one of the few drivable high-Sierra meadows above 10,000 feet that isn't designated wilderness.

The road is a 14-mile out-and-back classified by Inyo NF as 4WD-required. The climb is steep with several rocky descents and sections where careful tire placement matters. Snow closes the route most of the year; July through September is the practical window. Most drivers stage in Bishop and run the road as an all-day trip with a hike or fishing stop on the plateau.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Steep rocky climb. The first three miles are sustained 4WD low. Stock vehicles without low range will struggle.
  • Snow. The route is closed most of the year. July through September is the window.
  • Altitude. The plateau sits above 10,000 feet. Plan for altitude effects.
  • Lightning. Summer thunderstorms strike the plateau regularly. Avoid open exposure during active storms.
  • No services. No fuel, no certain water, and limited cell service.

Location

14 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.215, -118.512

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townBishop, California
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/inyo
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location37.215, -118.512

Getting there

Directions

From Bishop. Take SR-168 (Bishop Creek / South Lake Road) west from US-395 about 14 miles to the South Lake turnoff. Continue on South Lake Road about three miles. The Coyote Flat trailhead and a small staging area are signed on the south side of the road.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Coyote Flat sits west of Bishop on the eastern Sierra. The trailhead is about ten miles up Bishop Creek's South Fork at the end of South Lake Road. The route climbs the lateral moraines on the north side of Coyote Creek and tops out on the broad glacial bench between the Inconsolable Range and Coyote Ridge. Inyo NF's White Mountain Ranger District manages the route.

Trail Overview

Fourteen miles out-and-back. The first three miles are the technical climb: 2,500 vertical feet on a rocky two-track that benefits from low range and tire-pressure adjustments. The remaining miles cross the plateau on graded forest road past Coyote Lake, Funnel Lake, and several smaller meadows. The road ends at the boundary of the John Muir Wilderness; foot access continues to the higher lakes and over Coyote Pass.

Points of Interest

  • Coyote Lake. Small lake on the plateau with stocked golden and brown trout.
  • Funnel Lake. Higher and smaller; a short hike from the road's end.
  • Lookout Mountain. Old fire-lookout site at 11,250 feet, reached by a side spur.
  • Sierra Crest views. The plateau looks west to the Palisade Crest, including Thunderbolt Peak, Mount Sill, and North Palisade.
  • Owens Valley views. East-facing pullouts look down 5,000 feet to Bishop and across to the White Mountains.
  • John Muir Wilderness boundary. The road ends at the wilderness line. Foot access only beyond.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Inyo NF land along the route with the standard 14-day stay limit; the plateau has many flat meadow sites that work as primitive camps. South Lake, Sabrina, and Bishop Creek Campgrounds (USFS-developed) sit on the paved Bishop Creek Road below the trailhead. Bishop has private RV parks and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Plan around the season. Snow closes the climb most of the year; the plateau holds snow into July some years.
  • Carry water and extra fuel. The climb is slow and consumes fuel; the plateau has no services.
  • Air down before the climb. The rocky sections eat sidewalls at street pressure.
  • The plateau sits above 10,000 feet. Plan for altitude effects and cool nights even in midsummer.
  • The White Mountain Ranger District (760-873-2500) handles current conditions and Travel Management.
  • A California fishing license covers the plateau lakes.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05)?
Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05) is rated moderate. The route runs 14 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05)?
High-clearance 4WD with low range required for the climb. Several rocky sections argue for skid plates and all-terrain tires.
When is the best time to visit Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05)?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Coyote Flat (Forest Road 9S05)?
Drops out within a mile of the trailhead. Service returns at the plateau in spots and at US-395.