I couldn't believe how fast the heat was sucked away from my fingertips as I folded up the tent poles that morning. Yikes, yikes, yikes. We woke at sunrise at the North Lake Campground, had breakfast and coffee, and broke camp. This adventure starts in Bishop California on the 395. One of the most dramatic and remote segments of the JMT, this section climbs into the higher country of Kings Canyon National Park and crosses three 12,000-foot mountain passes. The Hike. The bitter cold helped us convince ourselves that any bears or mountain lions would probably be hunkering down during this storm just like we were. If you aren't looking to fish or hunt, this trail is still breathtaking. After about 45 minutes of climbing, the snow surveyor passed me. I had heard the snow falling throughout the night, and it was quite a welcome sound compared to the brawling blows of the wind. When the sunlight finally fully crept into our space, Juni was excited to warm her black coat in its glow. Backpacking into the Eastern Sierra: Honeymoon Lake via Piute Pass September 8, 2019 Kristen Fuller + Save to a List Swimming in alpine lakes, fording rivers, watching sunsets, and traversing snowfields. Backpacking into the Eastern Sierra: Honeymoon Lake via Piute Pass . Julie and I recently spent a week in Inyo National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park. It was a relief to finally reach the shelter of the forest, as the many trees supressed the wind a bit. Everything was frozen, and the wind was probably still gusting around 20-30 mph. I quite enjoyed watching it from my sleeping bag, holding Juni tightly beside me to warm her up. After we had brushed our teeth and put everything away, the only thing either of us wanted to do was get in our sleeping bags and get our bodies warm. If anything, we'd just be a bit miserable for a few days. I visit with these two only once a year or so, and there is … I thought I could use a shortcut up the little gullies just to the southwest of our camp to get up to Loch Leven, but it didn't end up saving me any time over just going back down to the trail and heading up from there. Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail is a 50.5 mile lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. but while trying to get him off the hook, I realized I couldn't really move my fingers very well due to the fact that they were frozen stiff. I camped in Hutchinson Meadow area for two nights, then near Piute Lake on the third night. She kept tossing bigger and bigger rocks onto the icy surface to see just how thick and strong the ice was. The weather was sunny and perfect. Still, as we drove over Tioga pass and saw the temperature plummet on the thermometer, I was starting to think about how nice it would be to just settle for a couple of nights at the Best Western in Bishop and do some day hikes to see the foliage. Looking south from Piute Pass Looking north from Piute Pass. Piute Pass Trail is one of the fastest and easiest ways into the high alpine country of the Eastern Sierra. September 8, 2019Kristen Fuller + Save to a List. After climbing out of the meadows near the trailhead, you will find yourself on a ridge with few trees to block the great views of Grass Lake and the va... Before heading out, you will need to get a backpacking permit to stay overnight in this area. The view up towards Piute Canyon was enticing, but not enough to dissolve the apprehension about the conditions we were getting ourselves into. We convinced ourselves that we weren't going to die from a bit of cold and severe wind. Continue over the pass into the Sierra NF. When we reached Piute Lake, I thought it looked like a fanastic place to camp and fish (you'll see some pictures of us fishing at it in the trip pictures). For only weighing a pound or two, these fish put up a great fight. We kept marching up the trail, and shortly after leaving the confines of the lake, we got our first glimpse of the pass. Permits issued from the White Mountain Ranger Station. I've pasted the text […] The aspens were pretty magnificent along this stretch, so it wasn't that bad. It took some time to convince Sadie to follow us through a boulder field. and after boiling a bit of of hot water and making some tea, I felt much better. Starting out at North Lake Campground, the trail to Lamarck Lakes is a fairly gradual ascent. Humphreys Basin and French Canyon via Piute Pass. Emerson. This great hike to scenic Piute Pass ascends beneath the multi-hued Piute Crags to a beautiful lakes basin tucked beneath Mt. Huge copses of aspens. Feb 3, 2016 9:25:59 GMT -8 . The temperature reached about 18 or 19 degrees F that night. Bishop Pass: Begins at South Lake. Piute Pass Trail. It starts out with a couple stream crossings in the woods, but soon you reach treeline and the views open up. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail follows the cascading North Fork Lamarck Creek, past Piute Crags, past the beautiful Piute Lake to the 11,423 foot Piute Pass near Mt. Overview It was bloody cold. Piute Pass is one of the fastest, easiest (well, easy is a relative term in the Eastern Sierra) ways into the high alpine country that dominates the Sierra backcountry. Any season, any time- it is there. Piute Pass Trail is the most direct line to Humphreys Basin and surrounding peaks such as Muriel Peak, Mount Emerson and Mount Humphreys in the Sierra Nevada Range, California. To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org. We hit snow soon after Piute Lake, and had to blaze our own trail over the pass. After setting up our tent and doing some fishing. Plenty of flat spots speckle the north shore. On my three day trek, I was able to take some stunning photos, see multiple mule deer near the pass and limit out on trout each day. Reds Meadow Road closed for the season at Mammoth Mountain. We ended up eating in the tent again that night. It ended up being an ok site. When we finally arrived at the entrancing forest and saw the magnificent light shining through the aspens once again. In mid-July, my friend Christine and I set out on a three-night, four-day trip into the … © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Rate this Adventure When we finally reached the pass, it was about 1300, and we were both quite hungry. 2000 ft gain On the way up to the pass, you’ll hike up through the forest, passing a series of alpine lakes. We hit the trailhead at approximately 7:30 a.m. The beginnings of the trail were extremely pleasant. And, those thunder clouds don't look good either. Tall ones, tiny ones, thick ones, pencil thin ones...you name it. It starts from the North Lake campground and heads west and up, climbing 2,000 vertical feet over five fairly gentle miles to the summit of Piute Pass. So it was easily the most pleasant day of the trip. This loop has it all, alpine … Hike in with nothing more than a sleeping bag, ground pad and a fishing pole to test you mountain man/woman skills. Grab any last minute supplies, then turn on West Line St (168) and take this for 20 miles to Lake Sabrina. Continue down the trail into Piute Canyon and you will find a lush forest thriving with wildlife and small waterfalls. We kept marching up the trail, and shortly after leaving the confines of the lake, we got our first glimpse of the pass. Our agenda for the day was to hike over Piute Pass and camp at Honeymoon Lake, a total of 11 miles for the day. Find premium, high-resolution stock photography at Getty Images. The trail leads to Piute Pass and the Humphreys Basin Backcountry. However, we were able to boot pack through the snowfields comfortably. She's not quite the same scrambler as Reilly. The trailhead was a very familiar spot that I have photographed many times through the years during fall colors- North Lake. We plan to spend our first two nights in the basin camped at Muriel Lake. To reach Piute Lake, park at the North Lake Trailhead . There looked to be an attractive spot to the north of the trail just before it starts to rise toward Loch Leven, that seemed to be equipped with a large rock wall and plenty of trees. The wind had died down substantially, and the cold had started to subside. Consequently, we didn't cover nearly as much ground as we had hoped we would. The walk from the parking lot (which is very well marked, and has a pit toilet, but no potable water) to the trailhead is about 3/4 of a mile or so along a gravel road. We will hike down from the pass and make camp beneath the Sawtooth Ridge near Piute Creek. North Lake to South Lake Key Facts. We picked up our permit at the White Mountain Ranger Station and then got fishing permits across the street at Reagan's Sporting Goods right down the street before we started the drive west towards the mountains. I wanted to go to somewhere new, but at a very familiar starting point. Continue over the pass into the Sierra NF. What a fantastic way to start a backpacking trip, right? Piute Pass ascent - 9.50 Miles - From Piute Creek To Summit Lake - We really liked our camp and could have stayed for a day. With access over the pass via horseback, many hunters were able to pack out there recent kill easily. We'd have a much better chance of finding shelter from the tormenting wind, and we'd have plenty of time to fish. Piute Pass, Alpine Col, Darwin Bench, Lamarck Col XC Backpacking Trip On September 10, 2016 Sarah and I embarked on a classic High Sierra Cross Country loop Starting in North Lake, on the East side of the Sierra Nevada, near Bishop CA. I tried to tolerate the cold for as long as I could to soak them in, and boy oh boy, did it feel good to get back in that sleeping bag. Down in the valley, you’ll meet up with the John Muir Trail where you can head north, and exit over Piute Pass / North Lake. The first 2 miles of Piute Pass Trail that we did yesterday were very steep and rough with a lot of rock steps that must have been made by very Pictures of the hike (Florence Lake to North Lake 2008) Pictures of the hike (North Lake to Piute Pass to Lake Florence 2007) Back to California hikes Then the trail heads across Humphreys Basin and down along Piute Creek until it reaches the San Joaquin River and the bridge that crosses you into Kings Canyon National Park and the John Muir Trail. Piute Pass, Alpine Col, Darwin Bench, Lamarck Col XC Backpacking Trip On September 10, 2016 Sarah and I embarked on a classic High Sierra Cross Country loop Starting in North Lake, on the East side of the Sierra Nevada, near Bishop CA. When we got on the road at around 0545, one of the first things that greeted us was a notification from my car's navigation system, alerting us of strong winds and winter conditions. He was fast! The basic part of this adventure is a backpack to Sailor Lake. Yes, 4 … Moderate to strenuous. Sailor Lake Backpack & Climb of Mt. The stats: Trailhead: in Piute Pass and out Pine Creek Pass Trail Passes: Piute Pass and Pine Creek Pass Trip odo: 25.5 miles point-to-point Elevation Gain/Loss: 5,595/6,350ft For Days? The trail cuts through thick forest, over a rugged mountain pass, past multiple lakes and into the lush Piute Canyon with waterfalls. It had been suggested that we might stop here at the lakes due to my current impairment; but no. My fingers were burning from the cold, I had lost my fishing rod while climbing between limber pines the night before, and the wind was making it impossible to do anything peacefully. I'm happy we brought along the four season tent, though. but then we quickly sought shelter. Who: Phil and me What: Backpacking When: 9/2/17-9/5/17 ... we set out from North Lake to explore Humphrey’s Basin and a pass on the Sierra High Route. Tina was starting to feel the 10,500+ ft. elevation a bit, and I was continually looking ahead for a spot to camp where we might get some reprieve from the wind, which was definitely picking up. There were several good, flat spots to camp. The first day, we followed the red track from South Lake over Bishop Pass and down to Dusy Basin. Our early start and shorter travel day will allow time to amble and explore the upper canyon. Turning back didn't feel incredibly satisfying, but I'm glad we did. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September. This trail allows you to hike in the John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, and Sierra National Forest in one 20 mile section of trail. adventures and follow local regulations. Red Tape The Piute Pass trail has a quota from May 1st through November 1st each year. Once at the top of the pass follow use trails towards Muriel Lake. Head to the White Mtn Ranger Station to acquire a permit from the park ranger. As you continue you’ll pass Saddlerock Lake and Bishop Lakes – both quieter places to stop and take a break and reenergize … ‣ Distance: 9.6 miles (round trip) to Piute Pass ‣ Elevation: 9,345-ft. at the trailhead 10,958-ft. at Piute Lake Eventually crossing the Sierra Crest at Piute Pass (11,423 feet), we enter Humphreys Basin. Pictures of the hike (Florence Lake to North Lake 2008) Pictures of the hike (North Lake to Piute Pass to Lake Florence 2007) Back to California hikes This was one of the coldest and windiest backpacking trips I've ever done. Moderate to Strenuous. When we reached Piute Lake, I thought it looked like a fanastic place to camp and fish (you'll see some pictures of us fishing at it in the trip pictures). I had great weather and saw only a couple of people off the trail. Big Pine Creek Campground, surrounded by sprawling meadows and towering trees, is perfectly situated in the scenic Big Pine Cany... Overview Traditionally this … But that was when I thought we'd have nice, late September Sierra weather, and we'd be swimming and laying out on the granite to soak in the sun. Piute Pass, Puppet Lake Loop - 2019 A stunning 5 day/4 night alpine loop trip for advanced hikers that have experience in cross country. The hike. The only real problem was that a water source was a 1/4 mile or so away. (Six miles, 2,100 feet of elevation gain) Day 3: Today is a layover day at Muriel Lake. I figured I should at least try to get to the last and largest of the lakes, Piute Lake, before I have to hike up to the pass. Even after the sunlight had fully bathed our campsite, the temperature echoed the feelings in our fingers and limbs as we broke down the tent. The trail up the pass was mellow and gave a nice preview of the sights to come as it passed by two pretty lakes and several tarns. and perhaps even a natural wind barrier to cook in that Tina had found. The trail begins to climb almost immediately, in a series of switchbacks and climbing grades, angling up toward the first of two large lakes on the way to the pass. The road is surrounded by quaking aspens of all kinds. This trail is part of the popular North Lake-South Lake Loop that is popular among backpackers. When we finally got to North Lake Campground, we were both impressed with the sites. The country around Summit Lake consists of open boulder fields which provide abundant … Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your With a simple spinning reel or fly rod, you can catch ALL FOUR types of wild mountain trout. Begin your hike at the Piute Pass trailhead. The route is steep leading up to Piute Pass at 11,423 feet. Over Piute Pass destination suggestions? Tina had already gone back to the tent, and when I arrived myself, I was glad she was able to heat up my hands with her warm hands. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. The pass is barely visible in the distance. Head over Piute Pass, through Humphreys Basin and down to Hutchinson Meadow. Humphreys, or descend the trail to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek. I could not help but reminisce of a 1996 previous trip, when I visited Piute Pass in the company of my mom and dad on day 2 of an 8 day loop through Evolution Basin. On my three day trek, I was able to take some stunning photos, see multiple mule deer near the pass and limit out on trout each day. But it also seemed like the only move we had given how frozen our solid food was and how nearly impossible it would be to cook out in the open, behind whatever wind barrier we could muster up. From Piute Pass (11,420 ft) explore Humphreys Basin beyond the pass, with high alpine lakes and tarns bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. We kept marching up the trail, and shortly after leaving the confines of the lake, we got our first glimpse of the pass. Our hope was that if we got to that rock wall, we'd be sheltered from the tunneling wind that was shooting down the canyon, and only have to deal with some turbulence and cross-winds, however strong they might be. As soon as we turned off of 168 and started heading up the windy, one lane road to North Lake, the fall colors burst out in glorious fashion. Well, I took in a short view of beautiful Loch Leven and continued on forward. Please explore responsibly! From Piute Lake, the hike to Piute Pass is a moderate 2 miles and the rest is downhill to Summit Lake. The number for the BBS is (619) 932-1234. The medley of colors in the turquoise tairn and the red heather next to the frozen stream was rather beautiful even though the air was so unwelcoming. Add a warm fire, butter, some spices, whiskey and you have an amazing mountain meal! Humphreys, or descend the trail to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek. The trail up to Piute Pass is pretty gentle, ascending at a rate of about 500 ft per mile. All three major lakes, Piute, Summit, and Golden Trout Lakes are loaded with wild trout. We had already seen the forecast the previous couple of days, so this wasn't really a surprise. For the hunter of big game, this section of the sierras is prime for mule deer. I kept it to low mileage days because the elevation tends to get to me if I push too hard. I arrived at Piute Pass within an hour and shared the pass with a dozen other people, which was a bit of a shock after the relative isolation of the off-trail backcountry. Loch Leven A tarn above Loch Leven Piute Lake Snow below Piute Pass. Once near Lake Sabrina turn right on the road towards North Lake and park in the trailhead parking lot. We anticipated snow and ice on the pass, so we carried our crampons and an ice ax to be safe. We decided to cook breakfast with our stove inside the tent, which definitely didn't seem like the smartest move. All three major lakes, Piute, Summit, and Golden Trout Lakes are loaded with wild trout. While their beauty was consuming most of my attention on the drive, a good portion was also being stolen away by the furious winds that were driving them side to side and making their silver dollar leaves flicker incessantly. Be the first to leave a review! *Note, if you have time for a longer backpacking trip, you can keep going down this trail. And everyone knows that misery builds character, right? Explore Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. It starts from the North Lake campground and heads west and up, climbing 2,000 vertical feet over five fairly gentle miles to the summit of Piute Pass. When Tina got up in the morning to go to the bathroom, she alerted me to the beautiful alpenglow that had struck the mountains to the north. Emerson. First campsite - Lock Leven (3.5 miles). We ended up deciding that we'd just head back down to Piute Lake and camp there for the night. From there you can enjoy small dayhikes to the nearby lakes or waterfalls, go fishing, enjoy some photography or just lounge in camp and gaze at the beautiful scenery. Initially, we were thinking of exploring Humprhey's Basin. Luckily, both of our bags were rated accordingly. After the wooded section ends, the trail meanders along the shores of two larger and numerous smaller lakes, all in a chain leading up to the pass. We finally settled on one just above the bowl (you can actually see it as the last blue waypoint if you zoom in all the way on the map). Almost immediately we leave the trail and head to a group of rarely visited unnamed lakes, to camp high above the pass. So right before the trail crossed the stream for the first time, we diverged from it and headed up into the little granite bowl just to the northeast and below Loch Leven. I was quite entertained by how thick the ice was, and so was Tina. a few log bridges crossing quiet streams... After a mile or so, and a gain of about a thousand feet, we left the shelter of the trees and entered a more exposed area. I took the High Route solo from Piute Pass to Mono Pass over 5 days. Immediately upon exiting the car, the wind hit us like a slap in the face. This total trip is 57 miles and takes most people 5-6 days. Piute Pass and Bishop Pass trail are the end points for the popular North Lake to South Lake Loop. It held up pretty darned well. Not quite as popular or scenic as the South Lake to Bishop Pass Trail , Piute Pass Trail to Humphreys Basin has its own fan base. The first mile of the hike is very lush, filled with willow, lodgepole pine, wildflowers and … North Lake to South Lake Key Facts. There is a trail that leads directly down to Summit Lake from Piute Pass. The third day was simply a repeat of what we did on the first day (in the opposite direction, of course). The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September. Piute Crags. But later on, when I got up to pee, the clouds had vanished and the stars were absolutely brilliant. That poor dog...the things we put her through. I took the High Route solo from Piute Pass to Mono Pass over 5 days. While driving out to the Eastern Sierras, my car's navigation system continuously warned us about severe weather conditions. Apr 3, 2018 - This trail offers amazing wilderness, spectacular mountain views, and lakes filled with wild trout. It was most definitely a slow start to the morning. Piute Pass: Begins at North Lake. Tina and I decided we'd go for it. The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: Click here to continue the hike in the direction east to west. By 12:30pm I was at Piute Pass. This beautiful area is just 20 miles west of Bishop, CA. I managed to catch a little rainbow trout. Piute Pass and Bishop Pass trail are the end points for the popular North Lake to South Lake Loop. Access to John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, Humphrey's Basin. I don't think Tina, Juniper, or I got more than a couple of hours of sleep that night. From Piute Pass (11,420 ft) explore Humphreys Basin beyond the pass, with high alpine lakes and tarns bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. With the abundance of fresh mountain water, fish and mule deer, you could live the rest of your life in the pass if you chose. Between Lock Leven and Piute Lake, we pass the best waterfalls on the trip. More Crags Even more. The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: The Piute Pass trailhead: Click here to continue the hike in the direction east to west. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! That pass looks a helluva lot farther and a lot higher than I expected! Looking back, I don't actually think it got above freezing until about 1400 that day. Emerson and Peak 12691. Then the trail heads across Humphreys Basin and down along Piute Creek until it reaches the San Joaquin River and the bridge that crosses you into Kings Canyon National Park and the John Muir Trail. I will admit, I was not in the best mood at this point.  - Out-and-Back Trail. 21 miles JMT/Piute Canyon to Florence Lake is a 15 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mono Hot Springs, California that features a river and is good for all skill levels. we quickly reached the small tairn that I had filled our water bottles at the night before. Here is a map with our route highlighted. Day 8: We will hike over Mule Pass (10,470 feet) and return to the Hoover Wilderness for our last night together. The Piute Pass Trail is a gentle 2,000 ascent up a gorgeous canyon over five miles. Piute Lake Piute Lake and Piute Pass Piute Lake and Loch Leven Humphreys Basin & Summit Lake Muriel Peak Mount Humphreys Muriel Lake Goethe ... Waterfalls Above Loch Leven I took these pictures on a 5-day backpacking trip with Ed, Colin, Lynn, and Simone in the John Muir Wilderness in August 2000. The previous two years were to the Desolation Wilderness and Chicken Foot Lake. On the bright side, going outside to pee was quite exhilarating. The trail is popular with day hikers and backpackers on multi-day trips to Humphreys Basin, Evolution Valley and beyond. The view back down towards the canyon was really quite superb. We started at the North Lake Trailhead, hiked in via Piute Pass and out via Lamarck Col. 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