North Lake Loop via Lamarck Col and Alpine Col, Piute Pass Trail to Muir Trail Ranch via Florence Lake and John Muir Trails, Bishop Pass from Dusy Basin to South Lake, Lake Sabrina to Midnight Lake and Hungry Packer Lake. 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. Humphreys Basin Trail is a 8.2 mile out and back trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Lower Golden Trout Lake is closed to camping within 500 feet of its shoreline. The trail is generally low angle and easy to travel on. Once over the pass I turned right and headed deeper into the Humphreys Basin. Distance: 14 miles; Elevation Gain: 4,700 Feet; Difficulty: Challenging; The longest and most challenging hike on the list is arguably the most spectacular too. Below you to the south, the headwaters of Piute Creek spill ribbon like down the basin, forming a lake here, a pond there. Like Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin Trail, these woods are full of beautiful aspens and, if you’re hiking in the fall, golden autumn leaves. Hikers begin coming to the basin before the snows have completely melted from the trail. Humphreys Basin offers excellent cross-country day hiking to dozens of lakes. Pine Creek Trailhead can be reach by driving west off Hwy 395 through Rovanna and up to a rugged parking area south of the Tungsten Mill. This popular trail will take you to the highest point in Arizona and atop the San Francisco Peaks. Pass Hutchinson Meadow and descend Piute Creek. Through a cover of sparse lodgepole and white bark, winds among large, round boulders, arriving at the next bench up the canyon, which contains this Piute Lake (3340 m). It’s easy to find and follow, and pretty gentle hiking. Enjoys to inspire and consult with others to exchange the poetry of logical ideas. I foolishly (but somewhat entertainingly) went down a nearly vertical snow scarp at the top of a slope. About a mile below the pass, I departed from the trail and walked across gorgeous Humphreys Basin. The trail leading into the heart of the ancient volcano begins in beautiful Lockett Meadow. Learn how your comment data is processed. Emerson. Starts at North Lake. Humphreys Via Inner Basin. Sierra High Country Odyssey: Humphreys Basin Loop, 8-09 6 day backpacking trip, much of it off-trail, out of North Lake, near Bishop. Unseen above you to the north lie the Marmot and Humphrey lakes, whose outlets you splash across where they nourish trail side high camp sites with panoramic views cling to the open slopes between the trail and these remote lakes. Summit Lake. Only certain vehicles are … Entering the high country above Loch Leven, the glaciated canyon is floored with smooth granite and small alpine meadows. The trail sweeps around the basin before eventually joining the creek. I was able to get the second-to-last available permit on the 11th, so woke up early on the 12th, made the final drive from Mammoth to … This trek samples some really fine alpine and sub-alpine scenery, and spices it up with some relatively easy off-trail hiking. Humphreys Basin will take your breath away! It’s easy to find and follow, and pretty gentle hiking. Since that time I've been on many backcountry trips, often leading kids on their first-ever journeys into the wilderness. There are fine views north-east to Mt Humphreys and west to Pilot Knob. Strenuous when done with only one overnight stay. Beyond Piute Pass the trail gives access to Humphreys Basin, with an abundance of high alpine lakes and tarns on the north side of Glacier Divide. Piute Creek. trail begins at the camp ground and heads south across 2 footbridges through a grove of aspen trees. Additional Info: Humphreys Summit Trail. It is an easy hike up to and over Piute Pass, and I set up camp at one of the many unnamed lakes below Mount Humphreys. The trail offers quick access to scenery at Loch Leven and Piute Lake before reaching the pass. This trek samples some really fine alpine and sub-alpine scenery, and spices it up with some relatively easy off-trail hiking. Distance: 14 miles; Elevation Gain: 4,700 Feet; Difficulty: Challenging; The longest and most challenging hike on the list is arguably the most spectacular too. There are peaks to bag, ranging from difficult Mt Humphreys (Class 4 by the easiest route) to gentle, unnamed knobs. (The old trail that followed the creek down to the bottom of the cirque has been abandoned.) 6 day backpacking trip, much of it off-trail, out of North Lake, near Bishop. You then head south on the JMT, along the river until you reach the junction with the Goddard Canyon Trail. The Lamarck Lake. From huge, barren Desolation Lake to lightly forested, turquoise Packsaddle Lake. The Piute Pass trail eases up through a forest of lodgepole and quaking aspens before following the North Fork of Bishop Creek; Paintbrush, Columbine and Penstemon flank the trail as one climbs higher near the rusty cliffs of the Piute Crags and Mt. From the upper part of the trail, views of Mt. Humphrey's Peak, Weatherford and Kachina Trail Loop is a 18.3 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Flagstaff, Arizona that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. All hikers should be prepared for the changing weather conditions in the high country, Thunderstorms can appear suddenly without warning bringing cold rains and snow at any time of the year. As long as you end up headed down Piute Creek, you are good. Aspen is left behind, the lodge pole becomes sparse, and some limber pine is seen. Wander off-trail through three remote high alpine basins and two of the Mono Recesses, in the heart of the John Muir Wilderness. Go 18 miles from Bishop on highway 168 almost to Lake Sabrina and turn right on a dirt road. Plus you get a great view of Mt Humphreys. Approaching Loch Leven, the trail levels off. Humphreys Basin Still some flowers out here A tarn below Lower Desolation Lake 50. Yellow-bellied marmots can be seen sunning on rocks or dashing into the shadows. At the pass (3482 m) there are grand views west to Pilot Know and the canyon of the South Fork San Joaquin river, south to Glacier Divide (the north boundary of Kings Canyon Nat’l Park) and north over barren blue lakes to the unnamed ridge (separating Humphreys Basin from French Canyon and to Mt Humphreys). Those heading for the camp sites on the knolls around Upper Golden Trout Lake, about 1/2 a mile south depending on your route, will spy some use trails or find a cross-country route down the shrubby slopes of the lake. Humphreys Basin Trail is a 8.2 mile out and back trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. After 5 miles, cross Piute Pass for outstanding views of Humphreys Basin, Piute Canyon, and the Glacier Divide and continue into Piute Canyon. On the knolls, small white bark pines shelter little flats overlooking the water, which mirrors the Glacier Divide. First, we will visit Humphreys Basin, in the shadows of massive Mount Humphreys and the Glacier Divide. Black bears have been known to stroll right through groups of picnickers without so much as a glance at … If you choose to skip the climb, you can keep heading in deeper, toward the north side of Desolation Lake. North leads up the rocky ridge for the final push to the summit. Less than fun. I headed out on a solo 5 day/4 night trip to the French Canyon and Humphreys Basin via Piute Pass on August 12. Rees Peak and Abineau Peak are not real peaks, just named high points on Humphreys ridge. Why you should go: A longer, more beautiful route to the summit. This glaciated canyon is flanked by slab topped Peak 12691 on the south and Mt Emerson (3998 m) on the north. 1.0 mile to the peak on the Summit Trail. I took my first backpack trip at age thirteen while attending summer camp in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada. Copyright © 2018 Coert Vonk, All Rights Reserved. This is a shuttle hike of Humphreys Peak which combines the Humphreys Peak Trail and the Humphreys via Inner Basin hike. Required fields are marked *. Inter-lake trails are not denoted on the USGS maps. Weather permitting, you can plan to climb Mt. Head over Piute Pass, through Humphreys Basin and down to Hutchinson Meadow. The trek to Humphreys Peak is about five miles each way and most of that time is spent in the forest. Passionately curious and stubbornly persistent. Humphreys at its eastern boundary along the Sierra Crest, the lake-filled basin boasts expansive views in all directions. Destination for this bonus trip was to be up and over Piute Pass and into the Humphreys Basin region of the Eastern Sierra, during the third week of June. The Bear Basin is one of the most discussed off-trail areas of the Sierra. The Inner Basin Trail is one of the premier hikes on the San Francisco Peaks. This scenic basin is relatively easy to reach and offers more solitude than many areas of the High Sierra, combined with a variety of recreation opportunities, most notably trout fishing. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing and is best used from July until September. The weather was sunny and perfect. The rocky-dusty main trail descends briefly towards pale blue Summit Lake and then curves north west high above the lake, along the three less edge of the great cirque that is Humphreys Basin. Rees Peak and Abineau Peak are not real peaks, just named high points on Humphreys ridge. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking. A fairly easy trail leads to the top of Piute Pass. Over Piute Pass (11,423) the trail drops into Humphreys Basin, loaded with many high alpine lakes. Humphreys Via Inner Basin. The use trail continues gently climbing and meandering through the rocks on its way to Desolation Lake. Humphreys in the morning. Dominated by 13,986-foot Mt. Lower Lamarck Lake lies in a small granite basin, Cross the stream and outlet and follow the flowered trail to the upper lake. Humphreys Trail No. The Piute Pass trail eases up through a forest of lodgepole and quaking aspens before following the North Fork of Bishop Creek; Paintbrush, Columbine and Penstemon flank the trail as one climbs higher near the rusty cliffs of the Piute Crags and Mt. Start at Lockett Meadow, which is 7.1 miles to the peak, but has more gradual elevation gain. This page describes the simplest and most popular way to the summit via the Humphreys Trail (#151). Last time I was in Humphreys Basin smoke from the Rim Fire in Yosemite came our way and smoked us out. I'm looking to explore the a number of High Sierra lakes in California's John Muir Wilderness; specifically in Humphreys Basin. Our goal? The use trail continues gently climbing and meandering through the rocks on its way to Desolation Lake. Saturday morning it was raining lightly as we headed up the trail toward Piute Pass. Traversing one of the most incredible aspen groves on the mountain, it’s also the only place in Arizona where you can be surrounded on all sides by high peaks topping out between 11,000 and 12,000 feet above sea level. Inner Basin is the only place in Arizona that mountains higher than 11,000 feet surround you. The Inner Basin is Arizona’s own little version of the Alps, and the hike that takes you there is as good as it gets when autumn rolls around. The John Muir Trail (JMT) threads its way through Evolution Basin in Kings Canyon. Entering the high country above Loch Leven, the glaciated canyon is floored with smooth granite and small alpine meadows. As ever, J and I had made the usual attempts to invite certain people on this easy trip. A base camp there give you access to countless high-country delights. The two of us are fairly fit, so we laid out a somewhat ambitious itinerary. Follow the Weatherford for 2.45 miles to the Humphreys Summit Trail. About a mile or so west of Piute Pass, there’s a use trail that leads north into Humphreys Basin. Beyond Piute Pass the trail gives access to Humphreys Basin, with an abundance of high alpine lakes and tarns on the north side of Glacier Divide. Those intrigued by the Desolation lakes’ reputation for fishing and fond of treeless, open camps will find a camp site or two east of the use trail above Lower Desolation Lake, and some wind-raked flats among the great white boulders surrounding aptly named Desolation Lake. Animals you may spot in this high country include porcupine and elk. I was able to get the second-to-last available permit on the 11th, so woke up early on the 12th, made the final drive from Mammoth to the North Lake trailhead, and started hiking about 7:30. The trailhead was a very familiar spot that I have photographed many times through the years during fall colors- North Lake. View into the interior of the Inner Basin along Humphreys Trail No. Old Trail The trail you are on is an old forest service road. This country is rugged and rocky with sheer cliffs of granite and rough boulder slopes. To the south, the Glacier Divide, with its lingering snowfields, catches the last rays of light at day’s end in the warmth of alpine glow. In season you will be greeted by a wealth of wild flowers in these little meadows and in the sandy patches among the granite slabs (paintbrush, columbine, tiger lily, spiraea and penstemon). From here you can overlook Arizona Snowbowl to the west and the lush inner basin and Lockett Meadow to the east. We could taste it and even feel it in the air. Your email address will not be published. Humphrey peak is also accessible from this location via the Weatherford Trail and continues north (follow trail signs). Below, the Golden Trout lakes gleam down in the cirque bottom. Due to the presence of giardia, all drinking water should be treated or boiled at least 3 minutes. The newcomer to the High Sierra will marvel at how the great granite slabs maintain their precarious perches atop Peak 12691, seeming to be almost vertically above him or her. The basin also serves as the headwaters of Piute Creek. It was absolutely amazing. Below Summit Lake bear right at an intersection towards Desolation Lake. Humphreys Peak is the eroded remnant of an ancient volcano that was active more than 400,000 years ago. After a few hundred feet turn right again and go 2 miles to a backpacker’s parking area just west of North Lake. Most trail maps are somewhat vague and multiple use trails cross the basin. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Beautiful trail, moderately steep climb. From here, Steelhead Lake, to the north, is a good spot to set up for the night. Humphreys Basin August 2005 Arlo, Marshall and David spend a week backpacking in the High Sierra west of Bishop, California. There is a popular multi day 48 mile loop hike from North Lake to South Lake or the reverse out of Bishop that takes in both these The trails move across the North side of the basin and continue out of the area. About a mile or so west of Piute Pass, there’s a use trail that leads north into Humphreys Basin. 51 View of glacial cirque, ridges, and moraine in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks. There were no takers. Away from it, be ready for cross-country hiking that grades from easy off-trail to enjoyable but demanding boulder scrambling. From Piute Lake, the trail ascends an open, rocky slope to tree line overlooking alpine meadows threaded by streamlets and dotted with bright pools. On August 7-15, 1982, Gordon Lee and I set out to explore the Desolation Basin/Humphreys Basin. Shortly after leaving the trail head (2853 m), this route enters John Muir Wilderness and then ascends gently along slopes dotted with meadowy patches, aspen groves and stands of lodgepole pine. Emerson and the reddish Piute Crags are seen. North Lake Fall Colors I lost the trail for a bit as it went up a hill towards Loch Leven, but for the most part it was melted out until quite close to the pass. The intricate, twisting beauty of the basin’s many stream channels surpasses any human design. This backpack begins at the North Lake (2853 m) trail head. Even m’dear Robin had to bail out, as it was the weekend before her finals. Yellow-bellied marmots can be seen sunning on rock… The Humphreys Basin is sufficiently open to make cross-country hiking a delight. Ends at Upper Golden Trout Lake. Gordon came up from Idyllwild to Lone Pine on Friday afternoon and we drove up to Pine Creek to leave his pickup truck where we would come out, then drove to North Lake and camped out in my car on a rainy night. Here in midsummer you will probably pass through a “road cut” in a show bank, created by packers using sand and shovels. First, we will visit Humphreys Basin, in the shadows of massive Mount Humphreys and the Glacier Divide. The main trail continues to descend to the cascading outlet of the Desolation lakes – the last reliable water before Hutchinson Meadow in a dry year. The first great reward comes at the Humphreys-Agassiz saddle, where the trail tops out the ridge between these two monstrous peaks and overlooks the Inner Basin falling away into the distant Painted Desert. There are a variety of use trails, but as long as one knows the general direction one is heading, going too far astray is difficult. If you missed the use trail to the Desolation lakes, you can follow the outlet northward from here. Beyond, spreads Humphreys Basin. The Piute Pass Trail is a gentle 2,000 ascent up a gorgeous canyon over five miles. At a point where the main trail is above and north of a small lake with a green island, you meet the unmarked use trail north to the Desolation Lakes. [gview file=”http://www.coertvonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Coert-North-Lake-to-Humphreys-Basin.tpo-Map-Level-5.pdf”]. Wildflowers and waterfalls galore. The trail then ascends moderately again. Many people are satisfied with turning around here, at a breath-taking elevation of 11,800 feet. Interested in the locations of your pictures of your Humprey’s Basin trip. Desolation Lake. It is a high elevation glacial basin mostly over 11,000 feet in elevation. This beautiful area is just 20 miles west of Bishop, CA. As you enter the Inner Basin, from right to left, you have Rees Peak (11,474 feet), Abineau Peak (11,878 feet), Humphreys Peak (12,633 feet), Agassiz Peak (12,356 feet), Fremont Peak (11,969 feet), and Doyle Peak (11,460 feet). Easy Facts: 14 miles round trip. Still a tiny bit of snow near the pass but 99% clear. Thanks, great pix. Overview 3.7 miles on the Inner Basin Trail #29 to the Weatherford Trail #102. Also during winter and spring time months when covered by snow via traversing the eastern face of Agassiz to gain the saddle between Humphrey's Peak and Agassiz Peak. There is a camp site north of the trail, near the lake’s west end. You can easily spend a day rambling up and down one. 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. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Trip. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing and is best used from July until September. At approximately 4 miles the trail tops out at the saddle between Humphreys Peak and Agassiz Peak. Geology (from photographs) appears severe with rock, scree, and debris, Topography appears manageable, and the vegetation appears sparse. You must walk the last .5 mile to the trail head beyond the camp ground. Scorching sun, cold wind up top, stunning views. I wouldn’t see another hiker until I reached camp that evening. Why you should go: A longer, more beautiful route to the summit. The Trip Wander off-trail through three remote high alpine basins and two of the Mono Recesses, in the heart of the John Muir Wilderness. After the trail fords and quickly refords the North Fork Bishop Creek, the ascent becomes moderate. Puppy and I had a blast. We hit the trailhead at approximately 7:30 a.m. The trail is easy. The trail connects with a larger network that includes the Weatherford Trail, Kachina Trail, and Inner Basin Trail. I headed out on a solo 5 day/4 night trip to the French Canyon and Humphreys Basin via Piute Pass on August 12. Is there a log that associates pictures with their locations ? The Humphreys Basin is accessed from the North Lake campground, 20 miles southwest of Bishop. I planned this trip with my good friend Braden. Basin is just north of the more famous Evolution Basin and is separated by the Glacial Divide. Climbing glacier carved granite benches, the trail passes Loch Leven, Piute Lake and many smaller lakes and ponds on the way to the pass. Emerson. Sooner than you might expect, it switch backs up to the last traverse before Piute Pass. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. But they all topple eventually, due to the action of frost wedging, and add to the piles of talus at the foot of the peak. 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. That said, the Inner Basin Trail ranks right up there, despite its obvious demerits: It’s crowded and it’s not especially difficult. Additional Info: Humphreys Summit Trail. After some research I decided to try a popular trail to Humphreys Basin via the Piute Pass. The trail starts at the Arizona Snowbowl and winds steeply up to Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet. What makes it great is the scenery. We woke at sunrise at the North Lake Campground, had breakfast and coffee, and broke camp. This area is all pretty rough country, without a designated trail for most of the trip. I downed some trail mix and water and then started down the trail on the other side. Plus you get a great view of Mt Humphreys. To stand on the roof of the state, take a short trip from Flagstaff up to the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. Climbing glacier carved granite benches, the trail passes Loch Leven, Piute Lake and many smaller lakes and ponds on the way to the pass. The Piute Pass trail leads into Humphreys Basin a good camp spot for climbs on the west side of Mount Humphreys. Use stoves; downed wood is very scarce to non-existent here. These sites and others in Humphreys Basin make fine base camps for exploring the basin’s wonders. Your email address will not be published. Best season mid to late. We headed north from the campsite, eventually finding the trail heading past Lower Desolation Lake and going on to Desolation Lake itself. North Lake – Piute Pass/Humphries Basin: Departing from the North Lake Trailhead (9,320 ft), the Piute Pass trail ascends to Piute Pass (el 11,423 ft) in 5 miles and offers an outstanding view of Humphrey’s Basin (10 miles RT). 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