I recommend taking the ferry to avoid the lake hike; the view doesn't much change, and there's a lot of clutter around the lake campsites that take away from it. The contradiction lies in the amount of water all around. Follow it 2.1 miles back to the trailhead. Mosquitoes were everywhere but easily controlled with DEET and an (optional) headnet. Edit Last Edited by tomripley30 Sights to See North Lake Campground Stock Camp Summit Lake Allow extra driving time to Florence Lake. It is my favorite all-time Sierra hike. Setup camp and to our delight very few mosquitoes at 8500 feet. Backpackers are really friendly and fun, so it was a good time. The next morning we left the JMT and made our way up, up, and up to Bishop Pass via Dusy Basin which was over 6 miles away from the JMT junction. Camp, or finish the last 2.7 miles to the trailhead. Finally it is accepted as self-evident." Schoepenhouer "Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on." Winston Churchill "When they think they know the answers, people are . The first thing the trail did was cross the river on a wooden bridge, far upstream from its merging with Evolution Creek, so it was still relatively small. Mosquitoes burst forth in early and mid-summer, especially around the meadow areas near the Muir Trail Ranch and Evolution Valley. Then it is violently opposed. I wasnt thrilled, but I figured that there would be a side creek somewhere along the way, as the map showed some possibilities. We camped alone; in fact, we camped alone every night of the trip. Piute Creek You then head south on the JMT, along the river until you reach the junction with the Goddard Canyon Trail. In the Spring of a snowy year it must be incredible. We were usually finished hiking each day between 2-5 PM giving us plenty of time to enjoy the area. 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. 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 Day four Rest and explore. 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. Another 1.5 miles up the canyon is the turnoff to Evolution Valley. 11/10/2022 - Expect . Thats what happens when you go to sleep at sunset! Do you wish to share an stories about that particular spot? There were only 2-3 times where I needed to use my AllTrails app to figure out the correct way to continue. The best time ever, I mean. I like bridges; what can I say? classic Sierra beauty from the very start. Muir Pass $4,395: August 13-21. Day 2: In the morning, we broke camp early and switch-backed up to Bishop Pass. Its about half way down Dusy basin. Beautiful alpine lakes, waterfalls, and my God the meadows. Now I can say, beeen there in a sing-song tone suggesting my best time ever in the land of granite. Solomons christened these mountains the Evolution Group because I could think of none more fitting than the great evolutionists, so at-one in their devotion to the sublime in Nature.. That was about 8 miles, we had wanted to camp at the meadow but was beat so made camp a couple miles sooner. Campsites: Lake Georg, Long Lake, descent down from Dusy Basin, Helen Lake, McLure Meadow, Puite Canyon Trail, Summit Lake. mostly exposed to the sun so take a good cover. I plan to get back there this month with The Morning Star Mine comprises a group of 18 claims, situated in Secs. Leisurely pace over 6 days / 7 nights, This was an amazing hike! Erika, the alpine pond photograph posted next to the Day 2 text is stunning. Lots of mosquitos in some areas. Completed 14-17AUG. Beautifully desolate. I would love to do it sometime, so thank you for the inspiration. Also a ton of mosquitos. The McClure Meadow is one of the most beautiful meadows I have ever seen! Good campsites can be found there also. Peaks north of Bishop Pass, and south of Piute Pass form two basic groups, Bishop Group and Evolution Group. The I only had about a liter left of the three Id started with that morning. Now that the best parts of the trek were over (quite possibly), I was beginning to yearn for home. I ate my usual cup of hot oatmeal and packed up my gear. This wasnt a trivial decision. Elevation gain: 2200 feet Leave the JMT, and follow the drainage up to Darwin Canyon. It was challenging knowing exactly where to cross, we tried to find a place that looked shallow enough, however the water came up above my hips (Im 52) which was pretty scary because the current moved me quite a bit and the water was freezing! The river is nice to camp by here. I decided to stop for lunch a short ways ahead, and hung out in the shade next to the water with a couple of PCT hikers that Id spoken to earlier. some forest floor. 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. Day five Leave the JMT, taking the switchbacks above Evolution Lake to access Darwin Canyon and a class 2 scramble up and over Lamarck Col to Upper Lamarck Lake, 2,100-feet below. I hiked onward, rather than head back down. In summary this section went from Lake Thomas A. Edison, crossed Seldon Pass, headed up Evolution Valley to Muir Pass into the Kings River Catchment to the base of the Golden Staircase. I loved seeing the pictures here as it helped me to realize how much more I need to get there. I didnt pay a whole lot of attention, Im sad to say, and even fewer photos. No rain. No more High Sierra tundra for me today! Aside from stellar views, you will also find a station in McClure Meadow that is manned in the summer months by a ranger. This great hike to scenic Piute Pass ascends beneath the multi-hued Piute Crags to a beautiful lakes basin tucked beneath Mt. Campsite 2: Just past the footbridge over Piute Creek, set up camp on these designated pads. it has all the beauty you can think of, in fact you will get a beauty intake overdoz lol. We headed over Piute Pass and into Humphreys Basin from the North Lake Trailhead. We descended down Muir Pass which seemed endless until camping near the Le Conte Ranger Station. The JMT headed off to the west before switchbacking its way down to the valley floor (700 feet of descent) while the creek simply dropped straight down over the side of the canyon. Tracked 40 miles total and we caught the ferry on the way in and out. The trail on the right leads north into French Canyon. From there we day packed to evolution lake the third day. Continue straight at the 3-way. One bite of the Evolution area is liable to infect any passerby, causing even the most mileage-minded thru-hike If the John Muir Trail is the crown jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Evolution Basin and Valley are perhaps the most strikingly-sculpted gem to be carefully placed in that jewel. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 41 min to complete. Of course, the unforgettable moments started to pile up as we descended into Evolution Basin and then officially into the hanging valley of Evolution. Spend up to 3 days there, then out via Evolution Valley, Darwin Basin & Lamarck Col. Julia, Megan and I were to spend 9 days accomplishing this; Trekker9, Slabwalker and JP however had work commitments and would squeeze it into 7 days - leaving us after 5-6 days and taking 2 days to exit over Lamarck. To win Best in Show our site sported a ledge, floating above a yakkety brook, Mt. Evolution Valley elevation: 9,500 feet In August we did North lake to south lake direction which avoided the climb up to Bishop pass. But 6-year-old Gregory "was an absolute trooper," said Steward, as . straightforward trail. It was great to get back and do another hike in the High Sierra. Imagine youre traveling on a moonscape in the protection of narrow corridors of granite with the imposing presence of two mighty peaks, Langille Peak and Black Giant, in your view. Piute Creek Crosing: Bridge at Piute Creek Crossing: Layers: Western juniper, and its cones: Mendel, which is part of the Evolution range. Hike down 6.6 miles to LeConte Canyon, which is a very beautiful, deep canyon with lush meadows and forests. Ahead, tackle a class 2 scramble to Lamarck Col. Crest Lamarck Col, then drop down the backside. Call me crazy, but theres just something great about sitting around a campfire with your friends sharing sugar and a swig. I highly recommend this one. The water was seriously cascading as it made its way over the steep edge of the valley, flowing downward into the South Fork San Joaquin River Valley, which I could see off the edge of space to the north. Evolution Valley - Key Facts Location: Northern Kings Canyon National Park Trailhead: Florence Lake, 84 miles east of Fresno, elevation 7,300 feet Evolution Valley elevation: 9,500 feet Elevation gain: 2200 feet Hiking Distance: 19 miles Best seasons: Mid-summer to fall One downside though: it's freaking hard. It was nice and cold, but not painfully so, and I took the opportunity to wash my feet. It was uphill all the way, and there was occasional shade, as I had hoped, so I didnt get heat stroke or anything. The next morning, we hiked past beautiful Wanda Lake and up to Muir Pass where we briefly went into the Muir Hut (built in 1930). Very exciting. 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. Didn't make it up to the lake, but SO HAPPY that we made it to the Hermit. Then I hiked north, paralleling the water. 1 decision & planning. The most challenging part of the hike was crossing the river. When Leor Pantilat's FKT for the Evolution "loop" came up in my news feed, I skimmed it and moved on, having other things on my mind. my 21-year-old daughter. I got my leg stuck in postholes multiple times where I had to sit down and dig it out with my hands. They were running a bit late to make it to Canada before the Autumn snows, and they knew it. Day 4: Evolution Valley to Piute Creek. There wasnt going to be much of a sunset from down in the canyon, so I went to bed early. One way for an adult is $15, round-trip $28; children 12 and under are $7 and $13. Now, an 81-year old. John Muir Wilderness sign in the Sierra National Forest good-bye Kings Canyon National Park! And it felt like it. The trail starts at North Lake (9,276'), soon enters the John Muir Wilderness, and ascends to Piute Pass (11,423') in four steep miles. I left the trail to follow right along the creek, and took way too many photos and videos. Campsites: Good sites along Evolution Creek by Evolution Meadow, McClure Meadow and Colby Meadow. 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Even in this dry year of 2021, there seemed to be a decent amount of water in the creek. Did this 8/8-8/12, 5 days / 4 nights. Pick up permit, eat at Burger Barn, head to, Day One Piute Pass trailhead over Piute Pass down through Humphreys Basin to, Day Two Hutchinson Meadow down Piute Creek to the JMT junction down along the San Joaquin River to the, Day Three Goddard Canyon Bridge Junction Up to Evolution Valley then into Evolution Basin and camp at, Day Four Sapphire Lake up to Wanda Lake then summit Muir Pass then down into Le Conte Canyon and camp at, Day Six Up over Bishop Pass and down to South Lake . Just needed a puffy jacket, could skip the fleece. beautiful. Western States Climbers Emblem Peaks Showing Kimberly Berg's first ascent dates for climbed peaks (0 out of 129, or 0%) Driving times may vary based on conditions. We passed more than a dozen lakes some of which I will mention when I upload photos. The canister is a whole lotta bulky but is worth its weight should a bruin decide hed like some chocolate with his berries. slightly uphill or slightly downhill, varying. 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, and eventually camped along Piute Creek. Tehipite Valley Trail: Begins at Wishon Reservoir. There was still quite a bit of snow on the surrounding mountains and still ice in the lake. The mosquitoes were intense in certain areas. Our goal was Sapphire lake, but there was still a ton of snow over the 4th and we didnt have proper snow gear to cross over the pass from Evolution lake to Sapphire lake. Head out on this 30.7-mile out-and-back trail near Lakeshore, California. Get surefire solitude in McGee Canyon (south about .5 mile back). The Evolution Loop is a magnificent route through some of the most inspiring terrain in the High Sierra. By trying to further lighten our loads over and over again, we hit the trail far later than expected, so by necessity had to pitch our tents after only four miles at Saddlerock Lake (11,128 feet). We slept near the shores of Evolution Lake. Note: Bishop Pass hikers will encounter dozens deer skeletons on the steep slope below Bishop Pass. The forest and meadows of Evolution Valley had been very beautiful, as had the waterfalls along the way. Once there, you will want several days to enjoy the tranquility of the valley and explore the surrounding lakes, canyons, and peaks. Continue straight at this 3-way in Hutchinson Meadow. The SteriPen uses UV light to kill the germs. It is a hard one but worth it. Cottonwood to Onion Valley: Onion Valley to Bishop Pass: Evolution Loop: July 28-August 4. Our payback day ended up being 13 miles, almost all uphill. Its not an extremely hard hike; most of it is pretty gradual and flat in the meadows, but there are two sections of switchbacks: heading up into evolution valley and heading up to evolution lake, but they werent too bad. Hiked 6/12-6/17. An incredible hike through the Sierras. Diego, the 11-year-old Lab mix, was struggling; the family carried him part way. The stars up there were surreal. This is an excellent report on a great hiking trip. We parked at Lake Sabrina, hiked up past the Tyee Lakes to South Lake and then completed the loop clockwise. Your email address will not be published. Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets. Nineteen miles from the nearest trailhead, Evolution Valley is a two-day hike for most backpackers. Highly recommend bringing a bug net to wear if you think you will encounter them. 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