Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. Still a tiny bit of snow near the pass but 99% clear. 51 View of glacial cirque, ridges, and moraine in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks. Aspen is left behind, the lodge pole becomes sparse, and some limber pine is seen. Humphreys Via Inner Basin. 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. Scorching sun, cold wind up top, stunning views. Last time I was in Humphreys Basin smoke from the Rim Fire in Yosemite came our way and smoked us out. About a mile or so west of Piute Pass, there’s a use trail that leads north into Humphreys Basin. That said, the Inner Basin Trail ranks right up there, despite its obvious demerits: It’s crowded and it’s not especially difficult. Emerson and the reddish Piute Crags are seen. The trailhead was a very familiar spot that I have photographed many times through the years during fall colors- North 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. North Lake Fall Colors The trail connects with a larger network that includes the Weatherford Trail, Kachina Trail, and Inner Basin Trail. The trail sweeps around the basin before eventually joining the creek. (The old trail that followed the creek down to the bottom of the cirque has been abandoned.) Your email address will not be published. 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. Hikers begin coming to the basin before the snows have completely melted from the trail. 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. 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. Wander off-trail through three remote high alpine basins and two of the Mono Recesses, in the heart of the John Muir Wilderness. Since that time I've been on many backcountry trips, often leading kids on their first-ever journeys into the wilderness. Additional Info: Humphreys Summit Trail. You then head south on the JMT, along the river until you reach the junction with the Goddard Canyon Trail. We hit the trailhead at approximately 7:30 a.m. Humphrey peak is also accessible from this location via the Weatherford Trail and continues north (follow trail signs). Over Piute Pass (11,423) the trail drops into Humphreys Basin, loaded with many high alpine lakes. A fairly easy trail leads to the top of Piute Pass. 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. Start at Lockett Meadow, which is 7.1 miles to the peak, but has more gradual elevation gain. Animals you may spot in this high country include porcupine and elk. There is a camp site north of the trail, near the lake’s west end. 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. After the trail fords and quickly refords the North Fork Bishop Creek, the ascent becomes moderate. Plus you get a great view of Mt Humphreys. About a mile or so west of Piute Pass, there’s a use trail that leads north into Humphreys Basin. 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. From Piute Lake, the trail ascends an open, rocky slope to tree line overlooking alpine meadows threaded by streamlets and dotted with bright pools. Yellow-bellied marmots can be seen sunning on rock… Why you should go: A longer, more beautiful route to the summit. 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. This area is all pretty rough country, without a designated trail for most of the trip. Copyright © 2018 Coert Vonk, All Rights Reserved. The Piute Pass trail leads into Humphreys Basin a good camp spot for climbs on the west side of Mount Humphreys. I'm looking to explore the a number of High Sierra lakes in California's John Muir Wilderness; specifically in Humphreys Basin. Lower Lamarck Lake lies in a small granite basin, Cross the stream and outlet and follow the flowered trail to the upper lake. Yellow-bellied marmots can be seen sunning on rocks or dashing into the shadows. The trails move across the North side of the basin and continue out of the area. We headed north from the campsite, eventually finding the trail heading past Lower Desolation Lake and going on to Desolation Lake itself. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and fishing and is best used from July until September. 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. Rees Peak and Abineau Peak are not real peaks, just named high points on Humphreys ridge. From the upper part of the trail, views of Mt. Climbing glacier carved granite benches, the trail passes Loch Leven, Piute Lake and many smaller lakes and ponds on the way to the pass. It’s easy to find and follow, and pretty gentle hiking. Geology (from photographs) appears severe with rock, scree, and debris, Topography appears manageable, and the vegetation appears sparse. Beautiful trail, moderately steep climb. Humphreys in the morning. On August 7-15, 1982, Gordon Lee and I set out to explore the Desolation Basin/Humphreys Basin. Emerson. 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