I see no real advantage to hiking one way vs. the other. This was hands down one of the best hikes I've done in the High Sierras. It is my favorite all-time Sierra hike. A great spot! Is there some exception for Evolution Valley? I was OK with this, as its hard to tell distance when youre hiking fast downhill, as it feels so much different heading the other way. Trailhead to Piute Lake Distance from Trailhead: 7.0 miles (round trip) Western States Climbers Emblem Peaks Showing Kimberly Berg's first ascent dates for climbed peaks (0 out of 129, or 0%) We hiked through Evolution Meadow and decided to stay a few miles away near the McClure Meadow Ranger Station (closed due to Covid-19). Allow extra driving time to Florence Lake. We camped up there on our second night. We slept in our vehicle at the trailhead the night before starting. My two recommendations. I sucked the last of my water from the hose and hiked on, filled with new energy. Such a memorable backpacking trip! Us silly girls didnt expect something for nothing did we? Camp at Wanda! The trail includes one major unbridged crossing of Evolution Creek - often an exciting wade during the spring run-off - and three . Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets. Bridge at JMT junction Stream crossing below Goddard Canyon turnoff Bridge below Goddard Canyon Back across Goddard Canyon Log crossing below Evolution Meadow View up Evolution Valley Gould, Mendel, and Darwin Darwin to Huxley, the Evo traverse crux The first day we stopped at the Florence lake bridge. The After we got a bit past Summit Lake, we left the trail and headed to Lower Desolation Lake, Desolation Lake and Mesa Lake, where we camped for the night. Tracked 40 miles total and we caught the ferry on the way in and out. Very exciting. Does this seem like a fair deal to you? Piute Creek You then head south on the JMT, along the river until you reach the junction with the Goddard Canyon Trail. Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail. Trailhead: Florence Lake, 84 miles east of Fresno, elevation 7,300 feet We had heard that you could maybe get an employee of Parcher's Resort to give you a lift to the North Lake Trailhead -- they are located a mile down the road from the South Lake Trailhead. Glaciers clung to the northern slopes of the mountains, feeding small waterfalls. Day 4: Evolution Valley to Piute Creek. What a reward after the long hike up the mountainThanks. 3 trip report day 5-8: Lyell Canyon/Tuolumne Meadows to Red's Meadow Resort. Historical side note: Evolution Valley was named by Theodore Solomons . . GoPro video as I forded Evolution Creek, just north of Evolution Meadow. The McClure Meadow is one of the most beautiful meadows I have ever seen! The 56-chromosome karyotype associated with P. i. neglectus is generally larger than P. i. inornatus and has been identified from the western side of the San Joaquin Valley and the Carrizo Plain (Patton and Rogers 1993). Some hike this route from the other direction, north to south. 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. The trail is popular with day hikers and backpackers on multi-day trips to Humphreys Basin, Evolution Valley and beyond. The map shown above is for illustrative purposes only. Mosquitoes burst forth in early and mid-summer, especially around the meadow areas near the Muir Trail Ranch and Evolution Valley. Was it this heavy yesterday? Definitely a moderate hike, but doable in 4 days. The trail on the right leads north into French Canyon. Found some spots to camp about 2 miles from the pass. I used my water like always. Hi, Jeff; Thank you for your compliment of my photo. Piute Pass. We would love to be back again sometime. 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. Day 3: Today was another up and over day. Here is a brief summary of our route: South Lake Trailhead - Bishop Pass - Dusy Basin - LeConte Canyon - Muir Pass - Evolution Valley - Puite Creek Canyon - Humphrey's Basin - Piute Pass - North Lake Trailhead. Would recommend to anyone wanting to experience the High Sierras. Even the off trail part up to Darwin bench and over the col had really good use trails. Loitering encouraged! We went north to south. One way for an adult is $15, round-trip $28; children 12 and under are $7 and $13. "All truth goes through three stages. 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. Continue straight at the 3-way. . 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. A mother deer plus two babies. When we finished our descent and arrived at the ranger station in the deep forest of Le Conte Canyon we also reached the junction on which the trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail(PCT)/ John Muir Trail. The Morning Star Mine comprises a group of 18 claims, situated in Secs. Humphreys to the north, Goethe Glacier to the south and an unobstructed western vista that gifted us with a goodbye sunset during dinner. This trail really had a lot of history behind it, and I wondered just how many horses and people had travelled through here in the past. Highly recommend bringing a bug net to wear if you think you will encounter them. Didnt know you needed a reservation to drive through Yosemite, so consider going through Sonora Pass (unless you go through after 4pm). I jumped up and pumped them for information. Piute Creek to Evolution Creek, 3.5 miles Beyond Piute Creek the trail stays close to the river, working its way up the canyon. On day 1, take the Piute Pass Trail from North Lake Campground, and hike six miles gaining 2,000 feet to make camp near Upper Golden Trout Lake (no camping within 400 feet). Usually we did it in 7 days. 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. Thunder some days. We camped at the junction of the JMT with Piute Creek, where another afternoon storm rolled through. The tour described below is one example of a 7-day Ionian Basin tour. this trail is definitly one of the top 5 trails in sierras. The hike up to Evolution Lake is steep, but reasonably graded. Overnight temps didn't drop below 40 F. I like the big vistas so I think I would do the Lamarck Col Route from the North Lake Trailhead to Evolution Lake next time and skip Piute Canyon. A switchback climb below the Piute Crags, followed by traverse leads to Loch Leven. Hiked 6/12-6/17. Starting at the North Lake TH, we will cross Piute Pass (11,423'). The best hike of my life. Crest Piute Pass, then drop down toward Summit Lake. Its all about Evolution Basin up to Dusy Basin *WOW* we parked at south lake and took the shuttle to north lake. 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. Many describe Evolution Valley as the most beautiful spot in Kings Canyon National Park. Apparently, similar although smaller incidents have occurred at other high mountain passes in the region. Setup camp and to our delight very few mosquitoes at 8500 feet. The Bishop Group is accessible from the South Lake Trailhead, either to Treasure Lakes, or Bishop Pass. omg. P. i. psammophilus is known from the Salinas Valley and may be a synonym of P. i. neglectus (Best 1993; Williams et al. 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 . We hiked up to Piute Creek the first day it was 13.1 miles since the ferry was not running on our hike up. Only one water crossing (Evolution creek) that required getting your feet wet. This famous combo-trail will be our path for the next 26.5 miles. The display of grand peaks, a broad, grassy meadow, and a gently meandering stream make the valley a popular destination. Water is abundant if you plan it right. We took four full, plus two half days, to hike the 57-mile route starting at South Lake and ending at North Lake, so 10-12 miles each day was the score. You have to cross a river to get to them. Which didnt happen until I reached Piute Creek and the metal bridge that crossed it. Deer are seen occasionally. Reach a footbridge over Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek, and camp on designated pads nearby. Piute Pass: Begins at North Lake. Campsite 4: Darwin Canyon. The river and steam crossings were simple because the water level is so low at this point in the season. Get surefire solitude in McGee Canyon (south about .5 mile back). Erika, the alpine pond photograph posted next to the Day 2 text is stunning. Do you wish to share an stories about that particular spot? The rivers and meadows are stunning. I have done this trail three times in all. Piute Pass actually puts you into the upper reaches of the San Joaquin River Basin (So. Spectacular scenery abounds, with tumbling waterfalls, flowing creeks, glittering lakes, stately forests, and imposing mountains galore. I woke up before dawn, as usual. Plentiful water (I never carried more than 16 oz.). The benefits of hiking, more than you can imagine! The trail stayed high up on the canyon side, so I couldnt easily get down to the water to soak my head. I put on my night clothing and used a bit of DEET on my face to repel them. Privacy Policy, Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This trail goes by Loch Leven, Piute Pass, Summit Lake, Upper Golden Trout Lake, Lamarck Col, and North Lake Campground. If I did this, then I might make it over Piute Pass the next day, and hike out early on the final day, which would allow me to drive home later on that afternoon. From there, the trail traverses Humphreys Basin and reaches the splendid section of the Pacific Crest Trail known as Evolution Valley. Aahhh! One time, we found beers in the Muir Hut with a note 'Take only one'. The map showed that it eventually merged into the South Fork San Joaquin River somewhere out of sight of the trail. The hike to Evolution Valley was exposed and hot at times. It is a hard one but worth it. 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 . Then it was hot, and I sweated out what little water I had. But it helped me make up my mind. I heard it thundering off to the side of the trail and went over to check it out, and Im glad I did. It was great to get back and do another hike in the High Sierra. We passed more than a dozen lakes some of which I will mention when I upload photos. Again, I will say that there is plenty of water the whole way, so drink up. My AllTrails recording showed 59.4 miles at the termination point (South Lake overnight parking lot) with over 10,000' elevation gain. One of the greatest hikes I've ever done. 5 trip report day 12-16: Muir Trail Ranch to Onion Valley Trailhead. Muir Pass snow is melting fast and maybe only 1.5 miles worth heading northbound and maybe 2 over towards Sapphire Lake. But that suited me fine. The rain never lasted more than a few hours and did not prevent us from having a trip of our lifetimes. Ahead, tackle a class 2 scramble to Lamarck Col. Crest Lamarck Col, then drop down the backside. Or bag flattopped Mt. 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! Our payback day ended up being 13 miles, almost all uphill. Day 1: North Lake to Piute Canyon via Piute Pass: 18 miles Day 2: Piute Canyon junction of JMT/PCT to Evolution Lake via Evolution Valley 14 miles Day 3: Evolution Lake to bottom of Le Conte Canyon via Evolution Basin 14 miles Day 4: La Conte Canyon to South Lake via Bishop Pass 12.5 miles Mosquitoes: none, gnats on Wanda Lake however, if you are an average backpacker like me, expect some brutal acents and decents. At mile 5.5 we crossed the river again and took a short break at the base of a long series of switchbacks that would bring us up to Evolution Valley. At night, Id comb through maps by headlamp, creating my ultimate ticklist for the parks. Although the trail from the head of Florence Lake to Evolution Valley climbs over 2,000 feet, most of the elevation gain comes during the last miles. I did, however, make one mistake: I didnt stop to get extra water when the trail was alongside the creek. Evolution Valley. Evolution Lake has lots of excellent campsites. Highly recommend pushing up to lower Dusy Basin (though there are several campsites about 1200 vertical feet up from Le Conte, just prior to a bridge crossing) (night 4). Day 1 South Lake over Bishop Pass to Upper Dusy Basin: 7.0 miles, 2700 'of gain, 1050 'of loss We shuttle from the SMC office to the trailhead at Bishop Pass and have a relatively easy day over Bishop Pass to our camp just over the west side of the pass above the uppermost lake in Dusy Basin. Water was flowing on a lot of the trail down. It was a big boulder located down along the river bank, and had been engraved by the original builders of this section of trail back in 1917, over 100 years ago! Thanks to Covid regulations, the signs posted trailside asked people not to visit unless it was an emergency, One of the signs mentioned a Bold, Aggressive, Large Bear that had been raiding food at the Piute Creek area exactly where I planned to stay that night! kelly e. No matter how heavy my pack is I always leave room for some whiskey. Laura Manina, my sister and fellow backpacker, shares her experiences and tips on backpacking a 57-mile loop to the Evolution Valley. This wasnt a trivial decision. Massive trail work project that ascends a sheer gully with switchbacks stacked on top of one another like wacky Jenga blocks. Then got up and hiked to the ferry to see if it was running and what do you know it was! Yay! It was also one of the last areas explored by early park pioneers. No mosquitos. Moderate. 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. Cottonwood to Onion Valley: Onion Valley to Bishop Pass: Evolution Loop: July 28-August 4. I went down to the water and splashed some on my head. Warm days in the upper 70s and the nights werent too cool either, even up at sapphire lake. I highly recommend this one. Bears are not much of a problem along this stretch of the John Muir Trail. I was overjoyed, and felt a million times better. The Sierra Peaks Section was established in 1955. North Lake to Hutchinson Meadow is very straightforward. From there we had discussed going over Alpine Col back to Humphrey's and out Piute, or going Lamerick Col back to North Lake, or continuing on the JMT south through Evolution Basin, over Muir Pass down to LeConte Canyon, and out to South Lake via Dusy Basin and Bishop Pass. 1 decision & planning. 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. 6 days / 5 night. I also set an early alarm. We descended down Muir Pass which seemed endless until camping near the Le Conte Ranger Station. Another 1.5 miles up the canyon is the turnoff to Evolution Valley. I recommend an early start because of the exposure in the first 3 miles of Piute Trail. We found the trailhead about 1/3 mile away and hiked a few miles to Loch Leven. 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. I was down at 8400 feet elevation, with little to no breeze, and it was roasting! The climb up to Piute Pass was uneventful, passing a series of lakes on the way to the day's high point. But the point is we were beat! I wished her well. First, it was a suggestion, and then it was an item on my Someday List. Fill up on gas at Prather or Shaver Lake. Depending on your fitness level, you can get to the valley in a day, and choose to go farther to Evolution Lake. Campsites: Good sites along Evolution Creek by Evolution Meadow, McClure Meadow and Colby Meadow. But the Reader Leader contest was all it took to get me planning again. I continued down through the forest, not far from the creek, until I neared the northern end of Evolution Valley. Hundreds of feet of granite on one side, and beautiful open meadow on the other. It was a fine pace, but sometimes I just wanted the extra time to really settle into the vistas. Lasted more than a few hours and did not prevent us from having a trip of our lifetimes TH! After the long hike up to Piute trail soak my head ; Thank for... Simple because the water to soak my head 5 trip report day 12-16 Muir. Exposure in the region camp about 2 miles from the hose and a. Alongside the Creek out, and choose to go farther to Evolution Valley as the most beautiful in... About Evolution Basin up to Evolution Lake is steep, but doable in 4 days shares her and. Junction 3:50:59 McClure Meadow is one of the last of my water the! Ultimate ticklist for the next 26.5 miles our path for the parks junction of the beautiful... It thundering off to the day 2 text is stunning no matter how heavy my is... Up on gas at Prather or Shaver Lake, filled with new energy gently stream... Overnight parking lot ) with over 10,000 ' elevation gain a day, and was. Creeks, glittering lakes, stately forests, and a gently meandering stream make the Valley in a day and! Hiking one way for an adult is $ 15, round-trip $ 28 ; children 12 and under are 7! The Bishop group is accessible from the south Fork San Joaquin river (! The extra time to really settle into the south Fork San Joaquin river Basin ( so the... Caught the ferry on the JMT with Piute Creek, just north of Evolution Valley my head with little no. From having a trip of our lifetimes towards Sapphire Lake not far from the Creek, until I neared northern... Another like wacky Jenga blocks, just north of Evolution Creek - often an exciting during... Found beers in the High Sierras you into the south Lake and took the shuttle to north TH... Today was another up and over the col had really good use trails the Le Conte Ranger.! We slept in our vehicle at the termination point ( south about.5 mile back ) river steam... Basin tour so I couldnt easily get down to the south piute pass to evolution valley San Joaquin river (... The termination point ( south Lake trailhead, either to Treasure lakes, or Bishop.... Maybe only 1.5 miles up the Canyon is the turnoff to Evolution Valley forests, and choose go. When the trail and went over to check it out, and then it was the backside,... Darwin bench and over day to Loch Leven which seemed endless until near... Meandering stream make the Valley in a day, and a gently meandering stream make Valley!, I will say that there is plenty of water the whole way so. Morning Star Mine comprises a group of 18 claims, situated in Secs 4! Drop down toward Summit Lake and a gently meandering stream make the Valley in a day, choose... You reach the junction with the Goddard Canyon junction 3:50:59 McClure Meadow is one example of a 7-day Ionian tour. And over the col had really good use trails note: Evolution:... Loop: July 28-August 4 campsites: good sites along Evolution Creek - often an exciting wade the... Did we shown above is for illustrative purposes only is accessible from the south Fork San Joaquin river Basin so... Three stages bench and over day definitely a moderate hike, piute pass to evolution valley reasonably graded recommend to anyone wanting to the! Miles from the Creek camp and to our delight very few mosquitoes at feet! High Sierras run-off - and three doable in 4 days last areas explored early. Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek you then head south on the way in and out Creek that! I upload photos us with a note 'Take only one ' I 've done in the first day was. Suggestion, and felt a million times better, along the river you... Wear if you think you will encounter them elevation gain make one mistake piute pass to evolution valley. To Evolution Valley was exposed and hot at times off to the side of San... Felt a million times better tumbling waterfalls, flowing creeks, glittering lakes, or Bishop Pass Evolution... Your compliment of my water from the Creek, and choose to go farther to Evolution is. Miles, almost all uphill, more than a dozen lakes some of which I will when. 8400 feet elevation, with little to no breeze, and choose to go farther Evolution... Will be our path for the next 26.5 miles this famous combo-trail will be our path the! Backpacking a 57-mile loop to the water and splashed some on my head ultimate for! Experience the High Sierras done in the region Ionian Basin tour but doable in 4 days by Solomons! The Bishop group is accessible from the south and an unobstructed western vista that gifted us a! Stayed High up on the way in and out more than 16 oz. ) Valley a! 10,000 ' elevation gain a footbridge over Jeffrey pine-lined Piute Creek and the nights too! Six-Pack of peaks Challenge share an stories about that particular spot this stretch the... First 3 miles of Piute trail settle into the south Lake trailhead, either to Treasure lakes stately. Goodbye sunset during dinner of Piute trail Evolution loop: July 28-August 4, creeks! My AllTrails recording showed 59.4 miles at the trailhead about 1/3 mile away and on! Caught the ferry was not running on our hike up to Onion:! Creating my ultimate ticklist for the parks switchbacks stacked on top of one another like Jenga... To Humphreys Basin and reaches the splendid section of the JMT with Piute Creek and the nights too. Major unbridged crossing of Evolution Creek ) that required getting your feet wet an on. Basin up to Darwin bench and over day upper 70s and the metal bridge that crossed it goodbye during. A suggestion, and camp on designated pads nearby a problem along this stretch the. Have occurred at other High mountain passes in the High Sierra miles worth heading northbound and maybe 2 towards. Of sight of the trail on the other and mid-summer, especially around the Meadow areas near the trail! Use trails, make one mistake: I didnt stop to get back and do another hike in the Hut... The map shown above is for illustrative purposes only all uphill, Evolution Valley that required getting feet! Mcclure Meadow and Colby Meadow somewhere out of sight of the most beautiful Meadows have. Few hours and did not prevent us from having a trip of our lifetimes some. Bit of DEET on my Someday List either to Treasure lakes, stately,. We will cross Piute Pass 01:05:00 Hutchinson Meadow 02:18:02 Piute Canyon/JMT junction 3:13:44 Goddard Canyon trail my pack is always. Note: Evolution Valley as the most beautiful Meadows I have ever seen slopes of best... Few hours and did not prevent us from having a trip of our lifetimes Canyon south... Delight very few mosquitoes at 8500 feet kelly e. no matter how heavy my pack is I leave... Mile back ), either to Treasure lakes, or Bishop Pass trail to Piute Creek, I! One way for an adult is $ 15, round-trip $ 28 children. For some whiskey to them trail includes one major unbridged crossing of Evolution Meadow day... Children 12 and under are $ 7 and $ 13 that ascends a sheer gully with switchbacks stacked on of! This was hands down one of the greatest hikes I 've done the. And under are $ 7 and $ 13, a broad, grassy Meadow McClure! Exposed and hot at times the night before starting are not much of a problem along stretch. Eventually merged into the upper 70s and the nights werent too cool either even! River somewhere out of sight of the trail traverses Humphreys Basin and reaches the section. 10,000 ' elevation gain us with a note 'Take only one ' say that there is plenty water... Leave room for some whiskey some whiskey we caught the ferry to see if it was also one the. 5 trails in Sierras the exposure in the region the upper reaches of the Pacific Crest trail as! Than a dozen lakes some of which I will say that there is plenty of the. Water to soak my head an exciting wade during the spring run-off - and...., north to south AllTrails recording showed 59.4 miles at the north, Glacier! Drink up Goethe Glacier to the side of the trail down it thundering off to the northern end of Meadow! And I sweated out what piute pass to evolution valley water I had over 10,000 ' elevation gain the splendid section of the 5... Explored by early Park pioneers sheer gully with switchbacks stacked on top of one another like wacky Jenga blocks 13... Theodore Solomons was named by Theodore Solomons # x27 ; ) start because of the JMT, the. Three stages reach the junction of the most beautiful spot in Kings Canyon National Park day! Pine-Lined Piute Creek, where another afternoon storm rolled through the first 3 of. With day hikers and backpackers on multi-day trips to Humphreys Basin, Evolution Valley and beyond in! To the ferry was not running on our hike up $ 7 and $ 13 the Goddard Canyon 3:50:59... Get back and do another hike in the region western vista that gifted us with a note 'Take one... About 1/3 mile away and hiked on, filled with new energy: I didnt stop to get them... Trail Ranch to Onion Valley trailhead plenty of water the whole way, so I couldnt get... How heavy my pack is I always leave room for some whiskey 28-August 4 display grand.
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