"All truth goes through three stages. Then I got some water and filtered it. Evolution Valley elevation: 9,500 feet Didnt posthole, it was sunny and we summited at 10:30am from a 5:30am start (slower pace), stayed for an hour at the hut and headed down towards Evolution Lake to camp. On our way back down we hike about 13 miles and set up camp for the last night. 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. Pick up the trail on the eastern edge of Upper Lamarck Lake. Evolution Valley was flower-filled, even in this drought year. Maybe if I was lucky there would be a breeze. 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. There's no reason to hurry -- it's such awesome, varied country. Day 1 South Lake over Bishop Pass to Upper Dusy Basin: 7.0 miles, 2700 'of gain, 1050 'of loss We shuttle from the SMC office to the trailhead at Bishop Pass and have a relatively easy day over Bishop Pass to our camp just over the west side of the pass above the uppermost lake in Dusy Basin. Just as I was pondering what to do, a couple came down the trail! Bishop and Muir Pass are still very snowy. The map shown above is for illustrative purposes only. If I did this, then I might make it over Piute Pass the next day, and hike out early on the final day, which would allow me to drive home later on that afternoon. To become a member of the SPS, one must be a Sierra Club member and have climbed at least six peaks on the SPS List; it is not necessary that the peaks be Emblem peaks. Hundreds of feet of granite on one side, and beautiful open meadow on the other. At mile 5.5 we crossed the river again and took a short break at the base of a long series of switchbacks that would bring us up to Evolution Valley. She was seriously considering it. It is, of course, the perfect time for this 5 - 7 day hike. An incredible hike through the Sierras. 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? Also a ton of mosquitos. Following that, we returned to North Lake via Lamarck Col, a high pass just short of 13,000'. Lots of camping spots with water so you can make your day as long or short as you like. The tour described below is one example of a 7-day Ionian Basin tour. It is my favorite all-time Sierra hike. One of the greatest hikes I've ever done. From there we pass through the giant cirque of Humphreys Basin, and into Hutchinson Meadow, and Piute Canyon. Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail. Then climbs through Evolution Meadow and Evolution Valley to reach Evolution Lake; 4,850 ft. of climb, 3,400 ft. of descent in 28 miles. Light rain everyday around 3/4pm. This famous combo-trail will be our path for the next 26.5 miles. Didnt know you needed a reservation to drive through Yosemite, so consider going through Sonora Pass (unless you go through after 4pm). What a reward after the long hike up the mountainThanks. this is the one backpack trip I remember with my dad, friend and his dad.. in 1959.. 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. Piute Pass: Begins at North Lake. I wasnt thrilled, but I figured that there would be a side creek somewhere along the way, as the map showed some possibilities. I have done it over 4 days - 3 nights and my backpack was around 42 pounds. This famous combo-trail will be our path for the next 26.5 miles. We did a variant of north lake to south lake over 3 days by cutting over Lamarck col from Darwin bench and skipping piute pass. Now I cant breathe for another reason. After lunch was finished, I reluctantly put on my pack and continued hiking in the roasting sun. 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. 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. Slept like a drunken sailor. Cottonwood to Onion Valley: Onion Valley to Bishop Pass: Evolution Loop: July 28-August 4. The next morning we discovered more good sites at the west end of the lake. It is visible from the trail, but some hikers have walked past it without noticing it. Very scenic. Pat was the captain of the ferry and Charlie ran the little store, nice couple. Camp, or finish the last 2.7 miles to the trailhead. Or bag flattopped Mt. I wished her well. Thats what happens when you go to sleep at sunset! Privacy Policy, Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. Your email address will not be published. Elevation gain: 2200 feet First campsite - Blaney Meadow (10 miles). Tiny bit of snow on bishop pass was completely avoidable. Evolution Valley has always been high on my list of things to do. There was still quite a bit of snow on the surrounding mountains and still ice in the lake. This was an epic backpacking trip and I would do it all over again to see evolution basin, and everything in between. No more High Sierra tundra for me today! 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). I took a break on the edge of the meadow and got out my map. Then I continued north. My AllTrails recording showed 59.4 miles at the termination point (South Lake overnight parking lot) with over 10,000' elevation gain. So prepare rain And wind covering if comfort is a must. Wheres there a low altitude pass that brings me out East of the Darwin Glacier? Day three Descend 7.3 miles on the JMT into Evolution Valley, then add an easy 1.2 miles to camp by Evolution Lake. The mosquitoes were intense in certain areas. The traditional route goes over Piute Pass and down through Humphreys Basin, taking a long time before turning the corner and climbing up to Evolution Valley. Even so, with campsites spread out along its length, the valley never seems crowded. At first the canyon was narrow, and the river had created deep channels to flow through. Wished we could have camped at Evolution Lake as it's sooooo beautiful but it didn't work out for us. One way for an adult is $15, round-trip $28; children 12 and under are $7 and $13. On the fourth day of my trek, I backpacked north from Evolution Lake, down into the Evolution Valley with its lush meadows and waterfalls, then down even further to the South Fork San Joaquin River, which I followed downstream yet more, until I left the JMT/PCT for the Piute Pass Trail, climbing this time . I finally had a chance to use the water shoes Id been carrying! So my best advice is to follow the trail further than you think, it might disappear in places because its all marshy, but keep going! Follow it 2.1 miles back to the trailhead. Edit Last Edited by tomripley30 Sights to See North Lake Campground Stock Camp Summit Lake Trailhead: Florence Lake, 84 miles east of Fresno, elevation 7,300 feet Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Permits issued from the White . Definitely a moderate hike, but doable in 4 days. I think this might be a great time to interject that finding water was never, ever a problem. Push to camp spots near the McClure Meadow ranger station; you will be rewarded with the best breakfast scenery the next day (night 2). Recommend to everybody. The next morning, we continued on the Piute Trail and crossed the bridge onto the John Muir Trail (JMT) where we were paralleling a fast-moving San Joaquin River located within the Kings Canyon National Park. Roundtrip mileage to the McClure Meadow Ranger Station from the south end of Florence Lake is about 15.5 miles and 1500 feet of elevation gain. We saw a snow avalanche once at a distance. There were several wet crossings during the first three or four miles. Would definitely do again from the other direction to see the parts of the main loop we missed. Apparently, similar although smaller incidents have occurred at other high mountain passes in the region. Bear canisters are not required, but food must be stored in a safe way, e.g. By heading upstream on a use-trail for a quarter mile to a meadow, you will find a shallower ford. This is a beautiful post. I just finished this trip with a few friends, it was one of my favorite trips. Mostly True Stories of My Hiking Trips, a PhotoJournal. These Photos Prove It. I highly recommend this one. 1993 . Mosquitos were pretty bad in the meadows, and none up at Evolution Lake, so I recommend bug spray! Distance: 8.8 miles Time: 5-7 hours Difficulty: Strenuous Gain/Loss: +498'/-1,537 Dogs: No When to go: Late July-Early October It may be called a 'creek', but Piute Creek was raging! Next we go through Evolution Valley skirting Darwin Canyon, passing through Evolution Basin and crossing the Goddard Divide just before going over Muir Pass (11,855'). Having driven by this part of the Sierras countless times on Hwy 395, gazing at that saw-toothed range, I always wanted to be the Norman Clyde, the John Muir, the Clarence King who had the privilege of a first ascent or true solitary immersion. . After 2.5 mile it crosses a bridge to the south side of the river where a good campsite is located. Did this hike in end of June 2020 but it was one of my favorites to date so want to leave a review. We hiked most of eac day covering 10-12 miles per day. Continue straight at the 3-way. Do I really get to be here? Campsite 1: Upper Golden Trout Lake. I'll be going back next weekend into the Evolution Basin higher up. Definitely one of my favorite trips ever. First it is ridiculed. Overnight temps didn't drop below 40 F. I like the big vistas so I think I would do the Lamarck Col Route from the North Lake Trailhead to Evolution Lake next time and skip Piute Canyon. History. They were hustling right along. Plan a late summer trip to avoid the worst of them. 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. A boat-taxi across the lake is available from the trailhead in the summer. They came across a congregation of stunning peaks lining the South Fork of the San Joaquin River, and they altered course to the glaciated valley beneath them, finding clear lakes, dwarf meadows, and jagged sky-stabbing peaks. After descending into the valley, I noticed how hot it was. Video of a waterfall on Piute Creek near my campsite in lower Piute Canyon. On my way between JMT and Piute there were 5+ stream crossings that necessitated wading. Day 6: In the morning the sun popped over Piute Pass and we were instantly warmed and reluctant to pack up and head back out into civilization less than 7 miles away. Because of the late snowfall, we were graced with the continued presence of wildflowers, complimented by the beginnings of golden fall, as we skip-trah-lahed our way alongside crashing gorge waterfalls and the calm tracing of the San Joaquin River. Piute Creek Crosing: Bridge at Piute Creek Crossing: Layers: Western juniper, and its cones: We did it over 3 days 18-21 miles/day (fairly aggressive due to work commitments) My GPS watch measured it at 56 miles not 52. 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. We got there between 4:30-5 on a week day and there wasn't anyone available -- so we hitched and got a ride pretty easily. Our total hiking miles over 5 days was 41.8 miles then we caught the ferry for the extra couple. Darwin via the class 3 West Ridge. The hiking was challenging for us (22 year old girls), but we probably brought too heavy of packs. Some of the travel is cross country but fairly easy to navigate. Such a memorable backpacking trip! Evolution Lake has lots of excellent campsites. 5.1 trip report. 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. Membership. Monday, they crossed 11,500-foot Piute Pass. $4,395: August 13-21. To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Even the off trail part up to Darwin bench and over the col had really good use trails. Perfect! Camp at Wanda! On the way back, check out the Blayney hot springs - they are magical! Finally, two ladies told me that there was a spot just ahead, right next to the creek! About two miles after leaving camp, we exited off the PCT/John Muir trail and started up to Piute Pass. Our payback day ended up being 13 miles, almost all uphill. After 2.5 mile it crosses a bridge to the south side of the river where a good campsite is located. Reach a footbridge over Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek, and camp on designated pads nearby. We did 7 nights, 8 days with our first and last days being half days. Peaks north of Bishop Pass, and south of Piute Pass form two basic groups, Bishop Group and Evolution Group. Day four Rest and explore. Day two Continue on Piute Pass to reach the JMT (and enter the national park) at mile 17.4. It was breathtaking up there. More like a river. It was gorgeous. 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. 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. Piute there were several wet crossings during the first three or four miles bug spray a on... It over 4 days - 3 nights and my backpack was around pounds! Most of eac day covering 10-12 miles per day Evolution Lake as 's. 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Be a piute pass to evolution valley 10,000 ' elevation gain Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge about Six-Pack. Would definitely do again from the other direction to see Evolution Basin, and beautiful open meadow the! Of Bishop Pass, and south of Piute Pass to reach the JMT ( and enter the park! Feet of granite on one side, and none up at Evolution Lake, so recommend...
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