Continue straight at the 3-way. The climb up to Piute Pass was uneventful, passing a series of lakes on the way to the day's high point. 6 days / 5 night. Day 2 Evolution Valley 17.18 2977 AEG Emptied our packs and hiked down to the Muir Trail Ranch to pick our resupply. Light rain everyday around 3/4pm. Notice that when I downsized my load I didnt ditch the tequila. A couple of favorite overnights: In Hutchinson Meadow alongside the creeks that flow from the Desolation Lakes upstream; the initial campsite in McClure Meadow in Evolution Valley; and a delightful little spot halfway down into Little Pete Meadow alongside the trail withers own small cascade and a pool of freshwater. More like a river. For lunch we had tortillas with peanut butter or string cheese plus trail mix for snacks. some forest floor. Some hike this route from the other direction, north to south. Id see how I felt when I got to the the trail junction. I highly recommend this one. The ferry was not running yet. Although the trail from the head of Florence Lake to Evolution Valley climbs over 2,000 feet, most of the elevation gain comes during the last miles. We camped by the river just passed JMTR the first night and set up camp in the Evolution meadow the second night. Amazing. This will bring you onto the PCT north of Evolution Valley, a distance of about 16 miles. Others seemed to have no issues on the regular crossing. Fantastic hike! Completed end of July 2022. It was cloudy for much of the way, but it only rained briefly. Layover at Sapphire Lake while weather passed. Piute Pass. Here you will find the most recent trail conditions available to us. This trek met every expectation I had plus some! Day four Rest and explore. Just what I didnt need. I said a silent thank you before dropping over the top, then apologized to my knees for the steep, descending switch backs they were about to receive. Some hikers like to stop for a soak at the public hot springs across the river, just beyond the Muir Trail Ranch. This lake has no name on the map but it sits about a mile and a half after we started our descent from Bishop Pass. The trail on the left leads to Lower Honeymoon Lake. Day two Continue on Piute Pass to reach the JMT (and enter the national park) at mile 17.4. Hundreds of feet of granite on one side, and beautiful open meadow on the other. The river is nice to camp by here. 3 trip report day 5-8: Lyell Canyon/Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadow Resort. I wasnt thrilled, but I figured that there would be a side creek somewhere along the way, as the map showed some possibilities. Lakes and rivers were full due to late snowmelt. This is about the halfway spot. I got out the map and came up with a plan, but it wasnt perfect. Starting at Lake Sabrina we could do a proper loop with just two 2 mile stretches on the road. I was lucky because I could follow fresh prints here and I'm lighter than most other hikers, but I still postholed A LOT. Piute Pass going in is a bit of a doozy so push on over and head for lower altitude camping or you may be whacked by the elevation. Our camps were very high, all above 11,300', and we took two and a half days layover, hiking and exploring . Part of the trail down to the junction of the John Muir trail needs improvement. I had 2500 feet of climbing to do tomorrow, and I wanted to get as much of it done as possible while it was still cool. Dirt roads which connect to the Muir Trail Ranch overlap the trail in places. I was breathing so hard I started to suspect my companions might have embraced some trail humor and stashed their heavy items in my pack when I wasnt looking. No water issues at all--everything is flowing well. A ranger later informed us that 80-90 deer were migrating seasonally over the pass during a snowstorm in November 2018, when presumably blinded by the snowfall, they one by one hit a patch of ice and fell to their deaths. The mosquitoes were intense in certain areas. Finally, two ladies told me that there was a spot just ahead, right next to the creek! Found some spots to camp about 2 miles from the pass. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. There was a strong metal bridge just downstream, and it was fun to cross. We hiked the whole way out the third day, back around the lake to the car. My sincere thanks to the fire fairies who set this up for us. Building anything out here must be quite the challenge. The Tyee Lakes part was not the most beautiful part and was pretty strenuous, but made transportation much easier. Read more + We found the trailhead about 1/3 mile away and hiked a few miles to Loch Leven. Their answers were vague, as expected, but they did say that there was definitely a spot a decent ways up the trail, but they werent great judges of distance. As we got going again I was giving myself a pretty serious mental pep talk about taking it easy and giving myself the time needed to work my way up the 700 feet of rocky switchbacks. Follow signs pointing to Kings Canyon National Park. This is a popular trailhead for approaching the Palisades. But that suited me fine. This was an absolute must do trail! I should just quit messing around and tape the thing to my face. We also brought along dark chocolate and tequila for special-treat nights. The North Lake-South Lake loop is there High Sierra at its very best! It was uphill all the way, and there was occasional shade, as I had hoped, so I didnt get heat stroke or anything. Maybe if I was lucky there would be a breeze. My understanding is that dogs are not allowed in the Kings Canyon National Park. I was OK with this, as its hard to tell distance when youre hiking fast downhill, as it feels so much different heading the other way. Id get my chance eventually. Oh well. Highly recommend pushing up to lower Dusy Basin (though there are several campsites about 1200 vertical feet up from Le Conte, just prior to a bridge crossing) (night 4). Me either, until we exited the forest at about 11,000 feet and monster granite views appeared. The Vanderbilt Mine is located partly on private land in the San Bernardino County, two miles west of California-Nevada state lines in the New York mountains four miles southeast of the Ivanpah valley within the Mojave National Preserve. In August we did North lake to south lake direction which avoided the climb up to Bishop pass. Plenty of water along the trail and also plenty of places to camp. Here is a brief summary of our route: South Lake Trailhead - Bishop Pass - Dusy Basin - LeConte Canyon - Muir Pass - Evolution Valley - Puite Creek Canyon - Humphrey's Basin - Piute Pass - North Lake Trailhead. I took a break on the edge of the meadow and got out my map. Slept like a drunken sailor. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes to Hike This Summer, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. South Lake From South Lake, hike 6.0 miles up Bishop Pass (11,972 ft.). We hiked it in 7 days but could have done in 6. But it helped me make up my mind. meadows, granite peaks, off-trail accessibility, water plentiful. omg. Pingback: Tahoe hiking: Bay View to Azure Lake. Those first four and last four miles are always the hottest. I have done this trail three times in all. This great hike to scenic Piute Pass ascends beneath the multi-hued Piute Crags to a beautiful lakes basin tucked beneath Mt. A mother deer plus two babies. contour 80 feet UTM zone 11 Customers Like You Also Purchased USA Highways Wall Map $10.95 Custom Radius Maps $175.00 Island Visions $39.99 Rides of a Lifetime: Southwest by MAD Maps $16.95 I sucked the last of my water from the hose and hiked on, filled with new energy. At Piute Pass, we headed off trail toward Muriel Lake, then Alpine Col, which takes the hiker to the gorgeous Darwin Lakes and Darwin Bench area. The creek crossing there can be challenging early in the season. Once we reached the pass at 11,955 feet, we were gifted with the sight of Muir Hut constructed in 1930 by the Sierra Club, with the intention of sheltering hikers that may find themselves caught in unsavory weather. But the views from the trail made up for it. Would recommend to anyone wanting to experience the High Sierras. Mosquitoes burst forth in early and mid-summer, especially around the meadow areas near the Muir Trail Ranch and Evolution Valley. Very nice hike, lots of scenery. Water is abundant if you plan it right. The next morning, we went over Piute Pass and continued 10+ miles through beautiful Piute Canyon to Hutchinson Meadow. I had a really good time and met several really nice people. The best sites we found are located on the east side of the trail directly after we crossed the stream that feeds the lake. The ferry usually runs from early June to late September, every day at 2-hour intervals beginning at 8:30 AM at the store end of the lake and making its last run from the far end at 5 PM. That was about 8 miles, we had wanted to camp at the meadow but was beat so made camp a couple miles sooner. . We had perfect weather, saw some incredible scenery and wildlife, and had an overall fantastic time! Explore Evolution Valley - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Edit Last Edited by tomripley30 Sights to See North Lake Campground Stock Camp Summit Lake While the passes were more challenging and toward the beginning going CW, we loved the direction we chose. Is there some exception for Evolution Valley? The map showed that it eventually merged into the South Fork San Joaquin River somewhere out of sight of the trail. Then got up and hiked to the ferry to see if it was running and what do you know it was! The next morning, we hiked through the remainder of Evolution Valley to gorgeous Colby Meadow, up several switchbacks to Evolution Lake and eventually staying at Sapphire Lake. During my summer as a volunteer wildlife technician in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, I spent my days trekking with a pack full of tracking equipment to survey animal populations. Water was flowing on a lot of the trail down. I am now a retired academic, so I was able, in all three trips, to exploit my college timing to hike in early September before the start of classes. Piute Creek Crosing: Bridge at Piute Creek Crossing: Layers: Western juniper, and its cones: Dinners were instant potatoes with packaged salmon or tuna along with instant soup or couscous. In addition, The John Muir Trail may be accessed via Piute Pass from North Lake which is only 10 miles from the resort. Pick up the trail on the eastern edge of Upper Lamarck Lake. There was no bridge. Meadows and trees and waterfalls were on my menu. I ate my usual cup of hot oatmeal and packed up my gear. my 21-year-old daughter. Along the way I came across the Muir Rock which I had seen on the topo map. Also a ton of mosquitos. These Photos Prove It. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. I could see both up and down the canyon, and there was no shortage of glaciated granite in evidence. From there, the trail traverses Humphreys Basin and reaches the splendid section of the Pacific Crest Trail known as Evolution Valley. I loved seeing the pictures here as it helped me to realize how much more I need to get there. I have done it over 4 days - 3 nights and my backpack was around 42 pounds. She was seriously considering it. I didnt pay a whole lot of attention, Im sad to say, and even fewer photos. We headed over Piute Pass and into Humphreys Basin from the North Lake Trailhead. The most challenging part of the hike was crossing the river. Day four Rest and explore. We hiked this trail June 5th to the 7th. I found a spot right next to the creek in the shade of a small grove of trees. I needed both water and a flat spot. Piute Pass 01:05:00 Hutchinson Meadow 02:18:02 Piute Canyon/JMT Junction 3:13:44 Goddard Canyon Junction 3:50:59 McClure Meadow Ranger . It was only 1:30pm, and I had a decision to make: Was I going to camp near here (where the large, aggressive bear might be prowling) or was I going to continue hiking on the Piute Pass Trail, uphill for miles in this roasting heat? mostly exposed to the sun so take a good cover. Evolution Basin. Piute Creek to Evolution Creek, 3.5 miles Beyond Piute Creek the trail stays close to the river, working its way up the canyon. Only a portion of our journey would actually be in Evolution, but the areas we passed through to reach and retreat from our intended destination were just as amazing. Life was good again. Very exciting. Its all about Evolution Basin up to Dusy Basin *WOW* we parked at south lake and took the shuttle to north lake. Maybe I was oxygen-starved, but my companions said they were similarly affected. It is, of course, the perfect time for this 5 - 7 day hike. We remained on the JMT at the Goddard Canyon junction and continued up a series of switchbacks that led us to a stream crossing where we had to take off our hiking boots & put on our water shoes and continue towards Evolution Valley. Backpackers are really friendly and fun, so it was a good time. Day 5: Cushy Day was followed by Payback Day. John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, and Goddard Canyon access point. Day 4: Rest and explore. The views along the way make up for it. They are past the Muir Trail Ranch. Hours may vary with the seasons, so check out their website or call (760) 873-2500. Here is a brief summary of our route: South Lake Trailhead - Bishop Pass - Dusy Basin - LeConte Canyon - Muir Pass - Evolution Valley - Puite Creek Canyon - Humphrey's Basin - Piute Pass - North Lake Trailhead. Also included are North Lake, South Lake, Piute Pass, Evolution Valley and Lake Sabrina. Hwy 168 accesses both trailheads west out of Bishop and there are many signs so even the most directionally challenged can easily follow the breadcrumbs. Most of our campsites were fantastic with waterfalls or pretty lakes. That pond is the same pond I had lunch at last year descending from Bishop Pass into Le Conte Canyon. Evolution lake is awesome. Though cooler than July, day-wear was still shorts and t-shirts and nights two layers and a puffy jacket. Awesome views and an incredible variety of terrain. It was high noon, I realized, and there wasnt any shade at all on the trail with the sun beaming straight down between the trees. 11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. This site had been used for years, and there were several flat spots. Leisurely pace over 6 days / 7 nights, This was an amazing hike! High Sierra Trails website makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of any of its maps. Florence Lake Store and Ferry. 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