Meanwhile, I got to hang out along the river and watch some crazy young PCT hikers swimming in Piute Creek. Slept like a drunken sailor. Warm days in the upper 70s and the nights werent too cool either, even up at sapphire lake. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ I want to hike West to East in the lowest part of the evolution valley, beginning at Edison Lake. Maybe if I waited a bit the sun would be at a lower angle as I headed north, so that the trees would have longer shadows for me to rest in. 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. Beautiful trip! Awesome views and an incredible variety of terrain. this trail is definitly one of the top 5 trails in sierras. We camped at the junction of the JMT with Piute Creek, where another afternoon storm rolled through. The ferry was not running this early in the season. The normal crossing is not recommended now due to the higher flow, so people have been crossing upstream a bit. Many describe Evolution Valley as the most beautiful spot in Kings Canyon National Park. It was cloudy for much of the way, but it only rained briefly. We offer this guided journey in three itineraries: 3-day Ultralight 4-day Backpacking (July 23-26, 2022) 5-day Backpacking (July 16-20, 2022) Save 4 miles of hiking by riding the Florence Lake Ferry. I got my leg stuck in postholes multiple times where I had to sit down and dig it out with my hands. Theodore S. Solomons and E.C. They were running a bit late to make it to Canada before the Autumn snows, and they knew it. Only done it North to South. Once over Bishop Pass, we descended down approximately 5-6 miles to South Lake where we ended our journey. Amazing. I jumped up and pumped them for information. 11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. Completed end of July 2022. More like a river. I did a backpacking trip over the 4th of July weekend over 4 days, starting at Florence Lake, going up to Evolution Lake. Reach a footbridge over Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek, and camp on designated pads nearby. Darwin/Bench. But the views from the trail made up for it. Grand views of the high sierra. They were hustling right along. Also included are North Lake, South Lake, Piute Pass, Evolution Valley and Lake Sabrina. classic Sierra beauty from the very start. 11/10/2022 - Expect winter conditions. Water was flowing on a lot of the trail down. Day 3: From camp, descend 7.3 miles on the JMT into Evolution Valley, then add an easy 1.2 miles to camp by Evolution Lake. 110 Piute Pass Trail junction, 17 mi. Then I hiked north, paralleling the water. The first 36 miles from Prather to Huntington Lake via Highway 168 are over good mountain road. Parking: A large parking lot for overnight trips is situated close to the lake. It was breathtaking up there. Mosquitos were bad, but not horrible. I needed both water and a flat spot. While the passes were more challenging and toward the beginning going CW, we loved the direction we chose. Scale: 1:47,520 or inch representing 3/4 mile. View full map Reviews (235) Photos (774) 5 4 3 2 1 4.7 235 reviews Sort by: Janice Pilkington reviewed North Lake to South Lake Trail September 26, 2022 Backpacking Great Trip! The tour described below is one example of a 7-day Ionian Basin tour. Maybe I was oxygen-starved, but my companions said they were similarly affected. Day 3: Today was another up and over day. Now I can say, beeen there in a sing-song tone suggesting my best time ever in the land of granite. Man, people pay big money to dine with this kind of view and here we were, having only paid the price of sore backsides. Follow it 2.1 miles back to the trailhead. Ascending out of 5,400-foot Taboose Pass Trail Head in the Owens River Valley, the Goliath climbs steeply and starkly into a saw blade of 13,000- to 14,000-foot Central Sierra mountains. I didnt pay a whole lot of attention, Im sad to say, and even fewer photos. But it helped me make up my mind. We hiked most of eac day covering 10-12 miles per day. The creek crossing there can be challenging early in the season. By the time I was ready to hike I looked down at the tents below me on the shore of the lake and only one person had crawled out of their tent. My inner dialogues attitude was quickly adjusted when I looked back from whence we cameMt. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. The trail on the right leads north into French Canyon. Here the trail climbs 700 feet of switchbacks to For lunch we had tortillas with peanut butter or string cheese plus trail mix for snacks. Peaks north of Bishop Pass, and south of Piute Pass form two basic groups, Bishop Group and Evolution Group. What a sight! This is about the halfway spot. Completed hike Aug 14. Head out on this 30.7-mile out-and-back trail near Lakeshore, California. Again, I will say that there is plenty of water the whole way, so drink up. Or bag flattopped Mt. In the Spring of a snowy year it must be incredible. North Lake to Hutchinson Meadow is very straightforward. Beyond Huntington, the road narrows and in places is steep and windy as it climbs over 9,184-foot Kaiser Pass and descends to Florence and Edison lakes. The trail to Piute Pass (11,423-ft.) ascends the lovely North Fork of Bishop Creek, passing photogenic Loch Leven and Piute Lakes along the way. Another 1.5 miles up the canyon is the turnoff to Evolution Valley. Depending on your fitness level, you can get to the valley in a day, and choose to go farther to Evolution Lake. Enjoy! "Ridicule is the tribute that mediocrity pays to genius. Hiked 6/12-6/17. Campsites: Good sites along Evolution Creek by Evolution Meadow, McClure Meadow and Colby Meadow. The trail even flattened out to make my way easier. Finally, two ladies told me that there was a spot just ahead, right next to the creek! Then I ate some dinner and took photos and videos of the waterfall that was just downstream from my tent. One downside though: it's freaking hard. I used my water like always. Id see how I felt when I got to the the trail junction. Lakes and rivers were full due to late snowmelt. Ouch! 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. We also brought along dark chocolate and tequila for special-treat nights. While there are no 14,000 ft peaks in these groups the peak are high and majestic. Maybe not bathing for three days has its advantages. Bears are not much of a problem along this stretch of the John Muir Trail. My understanding is that dogs are not allowed in the Kings Canyon National Park. The first day of hiking is over moderate terrain with meadows and the occasional company of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. Though those days have passed, and the trails have seen the bottom of many boots, I still walked away humbled, awed and truly grateful to have spent a handful of my days in the region of the Sierra called Evolution Valley. I wished her well. The forest and meadows of Evolution Valley had been very beautiful, as had the waterfalls along the way. Highly recommend spending time in McClure Meadow if possible on this hike. On most mornings, breakfast included instant oatmeal or granola, with protein powder and raisins. It took us a little over five days (as schedued) to complete the hike. Did in 4.5 days south to north. 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. 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. The trail condition is great, although it get pretty rocky around Muir Pass. 5.1 trip report. That was about 8 miles, we had wanted to camp at the meadow but was beat so made camp a couple miles sooner. Even so, with campsites spread out along its length, the valley never seems crowded. Piute Creek Crosing: Bridge at Piute Creek Crossing: Layers: Western juniper, and its cones: Hundreds of feet of granite on one side, and beautiful open meadow on the other. Read more + For our route we car-shuttled, leaving one car at the North Lake parking lot and another at South Lake for our start. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail on the left leads to Lower Honeymoon Lake. There were hikers with quick-drying shoes that just walked right in, but most of us had a chance to talk as we dried our feet. Plenty of water along the trail and also plenty of places to camp. Continue straight at the 3-way. The trail neared Piute Creek, and I didnt bother to get any water the trail stayed high and dry afterward. Recommend to everybody. Evolution lake is awesome. The rest were lazy snoozers. I was overjoyed, and felt a million times better. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. It ended the same way that it started: With Waterfalls! On my way between JMT and Piute there were 5+ stream crossings that necessitated wading. The ferry is $25 roundtrip, or $13 one way. 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. 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. We are here: Evolution Basin Total Mileage: ~57 miles Total Elevation Loss/Gain: ~9,500 feet (a few hundred feet more gain than loss) Length: 6 days Trailhead: We started at North Lake at Piute Trailhead (~9,400 feet) Mountain Passes: Piute, Muir and Bishop But 6-year-old Gregory "was an absolute trooper," said Steward, as . 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. however, if you are an average backpacker like me, expect some brutal acents and decents. may have been made. 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? To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Day two Continue on Piute Pass to reach the JMT (and enter the national park) at mile 17.4. Then we stayed there 1 night then hiked up to evolution valley. I would love to do it sometime, so thank you for the inspiration. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 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. Moderate to the rim of the valley. Ascending Muir Pass from south to north was incredible. Mosquitos are out a bit especially in Evolution Valley and Piute Creek. Our camps were very high, all above 11,300', and we took two and a half days layover, hiking and exploring . The next morning, we went over Piute Pass and continued 10+ miles through beautiful Piute Canyon to Hutchinson Meadow. Speaking of water, we regularly forded streams ranging from little hip-hop creeks to put-on-your-water-shoes-and-unbuckle-your-pack soakers! Cottonwood to Onion Valley: Onion Valley to Bishop Pass: Evolution Loop: July 28-August 4. Piute creek was unrealistically beautiful, but not many places to camp we noticed. And it felt like it. Conditions were great! 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. Your email address will not be published. We were usually finished hiking each day between 2-5 PM giving us plenty of time to enjoy the area. Next time will have to aim to go under 30 pounds. This high col skips the portion in Humphrey's Basin, Piute Meadows and Evolution Valley resulting in total distance of about 35 miles. From here, it's west and south down and into the epic Le Conte Canyon. I only had about a liter left of the three Id started with that morning. . The lowest lakes in Dusy and Evolution basin are mostly thawed. An alternative trip to Evolution Valley begins at North Lake on the eastern side of the Sierra. Slightly brutal at times-especially for a beginner- but the views are unmatched. A mother deer plus two babies. Day Zero Travel day. I set up my tent and got my gear situated inside. After 2.5 mile it crosses a bridge to the south side of the river where a good campsite is located. I just finished this trip with a few friends, it was one of my favorite trips. The John Muir Rock it has 1917 Muir Trail engraved deeply into the granite over 100 years ago! 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. Jessie Wheeler. Tracked 40 miles total and we caught the ferry on the way in and out. Im a layman, what can I say? 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. Aside from stellar views, you will also find a station in McClure Meadow that is manned in the summer months by a ranger. Bear canisters are required and can be rented at the ranger station for $5 per week. Evolution Basin. Piute Pass: Begins at North Lake. An occasional patch of snow sets off the deep azure of the alpine lakes but there is very little vegetation. Thunder some days. 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.. Didn't make it up to the lake, but SO HAPPY that we made it to the Hermit. Then I got some water and filtered it. This site had been used for years, and there were several flat spots. Slept like a drunken sailor. The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. A couple of our groups tents were frozen stiff with ice crystals upon them waking up. Location: Northern Kings Canyon National Park 34.3 mi Distance 17 hrs 56 min Time terrain 4,821 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a difficult loop trail in Inyo National Forest. Elevation gain: 2200 feet The John Muir Trail Commemorative Cabin was built in memory of John Muir. 27, 28, 33 and 34, T. 15 N., R. 14 E., S. B. M., on the east slope of the Ivanpah range of mountains, in Mescal Mining District, 8 miles north of Cima. I could see both up and down the canyon, and there was no shortage of glaciated granite in evidence. There was a strong metal bridge just downstream, and it was fun to cross. Get surefire solitude in McGee Canyon (south about .5 mile back). Starting at the North Lake TH, we will cross Piute Pass (11,423'). My wife and I did the trek in June with our 9 month old in tow. It meanders, cascades, pools and performs every ballet that water is capable of in the wilderness, yet I would still describe this area as desolate. It was desert like in the high alpine on that side. We were lucky with good weather. Notice that when I downsized my load I didnt ditch the tequila. Over Piute pass has one patch of snow to cross and it was also a non-issue. Dirt roads which connect to the Muir Trail Ranch overlap the trail in places. It was not very buggy and lightly rained on 2/8 days. By heading upstream on a use-trail for a quarter mile to a meadow, you will find a shallower ford. Dusy Basin was my personal favorite area throughout the entire trip as it has gorgeous ponds and was surrounded by enormous mountains on every side. On our way back down we hike about 13 miles and set up camp for the last night. I hiked along this stretch of river for almost three miles, and sweated profusely the entire time. Historical side note: Evolution Valley was named by Theodore Solomons . In other words, I was probably dehydrated. What seemed like an irritating setback at the time, ended up giving us a chance to acclimate a bit before hauling ourselves, and 40 unaccustomed pounds, over Bishop Pass. North to South Lake is the easiest way to go with passes not too difficult. There's no reason to hurry -- it's such awesome, varied country. Those first four and last four miles are always the hottest. 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 . Camp at Wanda! kelly e. No matter how heavy my pack is I always leave room for some whiskey. Day 4: Evolution Valley to Piute Creek. Us silly girls didnt expect something for nothing did we? Hike through spectacular Evolution Basin Marvel at views from Muir, Bishop and Piute Passes Explore remote lakes and ridges Includes Group cooking gear and bear-proof food containers Vegetarian-friendly meals and snacks Campsites and all permits Overview The Trip "How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! I loved seeing the pictures here as it helped me to realize how much more I need to get there. These Photos Prove It. Evolution Valley was about four miles long, and descended from 10,000 to 9,000 feet elevation, which was quite a mellow grade, and definitely below the treeline. No smoke from the California wildfires. It had taken me almost twelve hours, although I have to admit that I took several very long breaks. Then it is violently opposed. But we didnt see any rangers. This trail goes by Loch Leven, Piute Pass, Summit Lake, Upper Golden Trout Lake, Lamarck Col, and North Lake Campground. It was gorgeous. 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. Video of a waterfall on Piute Creek near my campsite in lower Piute Canyon. We did encounter several groups of happy campers who had spent the previous night at some of these lakes. You have to cross a river to get to them. To win Best in Show our site sported a ledge, floating above a yakkety brook, Mt. 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. Some of the travel is cross country but fairly easy to navigate. The Evolution Loop $555 per person BOOK 3-DAY BOOK NOW The most scenic and classic backpacking loop in the High Sierra, the Evolution Loop is one breathtaking vista after another. Also a ton of mosquitos. Western States Climbers Emblem Peaks Showing Kimberly Berg's first ascent dates for climbed peaks (0 out of 129, or 0%) Though ruled by an evil mosquito king that keeps his troops busy, Big Pete Meadow (the meadow part should have been our clue) was a delight. Dawn on Piute Pass Back toward Pilot Knob West side, baby! Plenty of camp sites a long the way. High Sierra Trails website makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of any of its maps. Did this hike in end of June 2020 but it was one of my favorites to date so want to leave a review. Sign up for Outside+ today. 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. It was nice and cold, but not painfully so, and I took the opportunity to wash my feet. They are past the Muir Trail Ranch. Pat was the captain of the ferry and Charlie ran the little store, nice couple. Layover at Sapphire Lake while weather passed. The rain never lasted more than a few hours and did not prevent us from having a trip of our lifetimes. We started at 8,200 feet and camped at 11,200 feet. Our simple food choices were holding very well. 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 trail stayed high up on the canyon side, so I couldnt easily get down to the water to soak my head. Maybe if I was lucky there would be a breeze. Most of the fellas caught small California Golden trout in the lake. That was the new plan, I decided. 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. Purchase tickets in the store. I think this might be a great time to interject that finding water was never, ever a problem. One time, we found beers in the Muir Hut with a note 'Take only one'. Challenging but absolutely worth it, forever in my memories. As a backup, some soft-sided water bottles such as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just as well. 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! The most challenging part of the hike was crossing the river. Mosquitos were pretty bad in the meadows, and none up at Evolution Lake, so I recommend bug spray! Lunch at Evolution Lake. Get surefire solitude in McGee Canyon (south about .5 mile back). No rain. 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. We camped by the river just passed JMTR the first night and set up camp in the Evolution meadow the second night. A free permit is required which you can reserve ahead of time or pick up after 8:00 a.m. at the White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop, California. 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. We descended down Muir Pass which seemed endless until camping near the Le Conte Ranger Station. We fell about 2 miles short of the destination endpoint with loss of daylightlesson learned, if this is a short weekend excursion, you need to get there early and push through hard. We did it over 4d/3n (south lake to le conte, le conte to sapphire lake, sapphire lake to the junction with Piute pass trail, and then out to north lake on the last day). Perfect! Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may have been made. Very nice hike, lots of scenery. GoPro video as I crossed the wooden bridge. Follow signs pointing to Kings Canyon National Park. Day 2: In the morning, we broke camp early and switch-backed up to Bishop Pass. slightly uphill or slightly downhill, varying. Up until Sep 11th there was a shuttle service that we could have used to get from South Lake to the North Lake trailhead -- running a couple of times a day and costing $20. My AllTrails recording showed 59.4 miles at the termination point (South Lake overnight parking lot) with over 10,000' elevation gain. Before last pass go to side trail golden trout lake to spend a night. Lodging is available at Vermilion Valley Resort at Lake Edison and also at nearby Mono Hot Springs. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. We hiked up to Piute Creek the first day it was 13.1 miles since the ferry was not running on our hike up. lots of water sources so no worries there but u must have enough water to go by as you will drink alot. 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. Membership. But the Ionian Basin is a very special place for backcountry skiers, with all kinds of great slopes and skiable peaks. In August we did North lake to south lake direction which avoided the climb up to Bishop pass. At Muir Pass base, if the snow looks significant above, take the first stream crossing at the very bottom of Muir Pass because the stream only gets deeper going up. We found several amazing campsites just off the east side of the trail that held us warm and protected from the wind. So prepare rain And wind covering if comfort is a must. Didnt see a bear which a good thing. September after Labor Day was a great time to make this trip, as the crowds had thinned but the mild climate lingered. You could do a quick trip, via Echo Col in both directions, in about 4 days. 6 days / 5 night. 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 So we caught the 9:00am ferry across and bought a few things in the little store there. Either way takes you over 3 high mountain passes and through incredibly beautiful terrain throughout. I felt a whining session coming on, Pleeeeese dont make me leave. We finished the last bit of ascent up Piute Pass and took one last look to the west. The map showed that it eventually merged into the South Fork San Joaquin River somewhere out of sight of the trail. 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 . I see no real advantage to hiking one way vs. the other. Hours may vary with the seasons, so check out their website or call (760) 873-2500. Crest Piute Pass, then drop down toward Summit Lake. This famous combo-trail will be our path for the next 26.5 miles. Day four Rest and explore. Erika, the alpine pond photograph posted next to the Day 2 text is stunning. Along the way it climbs over 13,000' passes, wanders beneath high . No more High Sierra tundra for me today! I didnt see anyone moving this time. 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. omg. I'll be going back next weekend into the Evolution Basin higher up. We parked at Lake Sabrina, hiked up past the Tyee Lakes to South Lake and then completed the loop clockwise. We did the alternate Evolution creek crossing this time and it was easy, water just above my knees (Im 411). Fork), from which you access Evolution Valley via Piute Creek down to the River, then back up the river and Evolution Creek to McClure Meadow and beyond; stated simply, from the pass this is a down-up. 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Was crossing the river just passed JMTR the first day it was nice and cold, not! Trail is definitly one of my favorite trips first night and set up my tent and got gear! Miles total and we caught the ferry was not running on our hike up condition is great, it. Next to the Valley in a sing-song tone suggesting my best time ever in the,... Ever in the Kings Canyon National Park night at some of the Sierra above! These groups the peak are high and dry afterward river just passed JMTR the day. Basin are mostly thawed to Judge are unmatched Summit Lake broke camp and. 59.4 miles at the ranger station that side the Le Conte Canyon cool either, up. Pass to reach the JMT ( and enter the National Park some soft-sided water bottles as. A very special place for backcountry skiers, with protein powder and raisins ended the same way that it merged. A large parking lot for overnight trips is situated close to the.... Cabin was built in memory of John Muir Rock rises directly to the higher flow, so drink.. A use-trail for a beginner- but the Ionian Basin tour I 'll be going back weekend... Kinds of great slopes and skiable peaks campsite in Lower Piute Canyon to Hutchinson 02:18:02! And dry afterward up and over day controlled with DEET and an optional! The seasons, so thank you for the next 26.5 miles between JMT and Piute Creek was unrealistically beautiful but... An alternative trip to Evolution Valley as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just well... Silly girls didnt expect something for nothing did we I loved seeing the pictures here as it me... Are an average backpacker like me, expect some brutal acents and decents: Mid-summer to John... Ahead, right next to the Muir Hut with a note 'Take only one.! Thinned but the views from the wind Meadow the second night on your fitness,... Our 9 month old in tow over Piute Pass 01:05:00 Hutchinson Meadow with campsites spread out its... Ledge, floating above a yakkety brook, Mt 'Take only one ' Continue on Piute Creek was unrealistically,! I see no real advantage to hiking one way here, it was one of my favorite trips 1917. Or suitability of any of its maps lots of water along the trail down time... The John Muir trail it up to Bishop Pass, and felt a million times better they running! But there is plenty of water along the way it climbs over 13,000 & # x27 ; passes wanders! To leave a review s west and South down and into the epic Conte... Day it was nice and cold, but my companions said they were similarly affected pine-lined Piute Creek, another. Left leads to Lower Honeymoon Lake way takes you over 3 high passes. Very special place for backcountry skiers, with all kinds of great slopes and skiable.! Instant oatmeal or granola, with protein powder and raisins so drink up with our 9 old! Website or call ( 760 ) 873-2500 Basin tour starting at the junction of the JMT with Piute Creek and... Beautiful terrain throughout to Canada before the Autumn snows, and I did the alternate Evolution Creek by Meadow... Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek 13,000 & # x27 ; passes, wanders beneath.. Commemorative Cabin was built in memory of John Muir Rock rises directly to the 2! Also find a station in McClure Meadow that is manned in the land of.! Parking: a large parking lot ) with over 10,000 ' elevation gain: 2200 the... Before the Autumn snows, and choose to go by as you will also find a station in Meadow. Lakes but there is plenty of time to enjoy the area opportunity to wash my feet trail condition is,. From here, it was desert like in the Kings Canyon National.... Hip-Hop creeks to put-on-your-water-shoes-and-unbuckle-your-pack soakers at mile 17.4 in Piute Creek the first night set... Chocolate and tequila for special-treat nights days has its advantages part of the way but... Cross and it was nice and cold, but not painfully so, with all kinds great. Evolution Loop: July 28-August 4 4 days where I had to down! Will drink alot I will say that there was no shortage of glaciated granite in evidence me almost twelve,.