Day 7: Over Bishop Pass (11,980') To the South Lake Trailhead: Looking back at Dusy Basin as we ascend to Bishop Pass on the final day. Sallie Keys Lake. 0% 0% 13% 0% 88% 0% Add a Photo. Each an exquisite challenge. Most people take about three weeks to hike the 220 John Muir Trail. So, 3 of the 5-6 days are ascending, and the other half are descents. Starting from the south end of the trailhead parking area the Treasure Lakes / Bishop Pass trail makes a short descent before it begins climbing at a steady pace along the east side of South Lake (9,768-ft.). Piute Pass trail and Bishop Pass trail are the end points for the popular North Lake to South Lake Loop. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Running on fumes at Helen Lake I took a short break, refilled the bladder and decided to tackle Muir Pass. Muir Pass, the 11,969 ft / 3,648 m pass named for John Muir, a Scottish-American naturalist, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and nature-enthusiast, is the fifth Sierra pass encountered by northbound Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers (and the fifth encountered by southbound John Muir Trail hikers).. * indicates there is no pass between entry point and JMT junction The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. How to Prepare for the John Muir Trail, with tips for long distance hike preparation . Wanda Lake. At the end of August in 2002 I backpacked from South Lake to Muir Pass. At a Glance. This is Long Lake at 10,725 feet. Eventually I crossed Evolution Lake, Sapphire Lakes. August 10, 2013 By Jeff Hester. Bishop Pass to Kearsarge Pass via John Muir Trail is a 60.3 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Thompson (13,494-ft.) and Mt. SEKI - Evolution Basin (34) Evolution Lake, Wanda Lake, to Muir Pass 838.5 to 845 127.5 838.5 127.5 to 140 SEKI - LeConte Canyon (39) Helen Lake, Big Pete, Grouse, and Deer Meadow 822 to 838.5 135 Bishop Pass Trail junction, 10 miles to South Lake 831 SEKI - Dusy Basin (42) between Bishop Pass and LeConte 140 to 149 SEKI - Palisade Basin (45) Palisade Lakes to MatherPass 817 to 822 149.5 … The weather was sunny and perfect. Our goal? Sore thighs and shoulders, spasms in our mid and low backs, and tenderized feet were effectively counteracted with Vitamin “I” (Advil/Ibuprophen). Permits • Reservations • Resupply Points •Meal Planning . Descending south from Muir Pass. Latest Topics; Ask a Question; Campfire ; Trails; Trail Reports; Gear Wisdom; Classifieds; Login; Thru-Hiking the JMT: Le Conte Canyon to Palisade Creek. As I left campsite, trail immediately started climbing towards Evolution Lake. South of Muir Ranch we find the 130 mile run of the John Muir Trail South to the Whitney Portal presents a classic challenge of balancing difficult high altitude High Sierra trails against pace, food, energy, and time requirements. Helen Lake south of Muir Pass . After about an hour you reach the next major lake along Bishop Pass Trail. We woke at sunrise at the North Lake Campground, had breakfast and coffee, and broke camp. We hit the trailhead at approximately 7:30 a.m. Need to Know If you start from North or South Lake, the rules for the John Muir Wilderness apply. From the top of the pass you leave the Sierra crest for the last time and head down a series of impressive switchbacks past High Lake and Long Lake, and on popular trails along Cottonwood Creek. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, fishing, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. The Piute Pass trail descends Piute Creek to Hutchinson Meadow and eventually joins the John Muir Trail. Our original plan was to stop at Sallie Keys and camp for the night. Mt. The climb up to New Army Pass does not cross the crest at its low point (huge cliffs on the far side), and instead the pass lies south of the low point, much higher up the crest at 12,300 feet. Wilderness permits are required with year-round daily trailhead quotas. John Muir Trail (JMT) Shared By: Tilman Giese. The third is the ascent up Bishop Pass. The trail between Sallie Keys and Muir Trail Ranch ends with a long section of downhill switchbacks into a beautiful river canyon. Day 15 on the John Muir Trail… It gets cold at high elevations. Post-hike celebration. If all went well, we’d hike up to Muir Pass and cook up some tacos at the Muir Hut, then hike back down to camp and back out over Bishop Pass the next day. Our hike took us through Inyo National Forest, Sierra National Forest, and Kings Canyon National Park. I went south over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin. Show Breakdown 4.8 from 6 votes 5 Star 83% 4 Star 17% 3 Star 0% 2 Star 0% 1 Star 0% Trail Rankings #3 in Kings Canyon National… #76 in California #543 Overall. We spent 5-1/2 days completing the 53 mile loop. Muir Pass (11,955 ft.) features a conical hut constructed of tightly packed stone. Muir Hut at Muir Pass. Bishop Pass Trail - South Lake to LeConte Canyon is a 21.8 mile out and back trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake. Trail Ratings 4.8 from 6 votes #3 in Kings Canyon National Park #543 Overall. 24 Views Last Month 2,191 Since Apr 29, 2019 Difficult. If hikers continue on the trail it will take them to Dingleberry, Hungry Packer, and Midnight Lakes. Head over Piute Pass, through Humphreys Basin and down to Hutchinson Meadow. There were patches of trees, and we were able to find a shady spot for lunch. John Muir Trail Entry Points North to South list of Inyo National Forest trails that connect to John Muir Trail (JMT) Mileage and elevation are approximate for trip planning, not intended for navigation. No overnighting allow, but it makes for a great break spot as the only man-made structure actually on the JMT. The first day, I drove up the 395 to Bishop and picked up the permit. The views of Mount Goode become breathtaking. Here is the long overdue report on the Bishop Pass Trailhead: We planned a trip from Bishop Pass to Whitney Portal, so the first day of our vacation was logistical. Looking south to Heart Lake from Seldon Pass. From there, it crosses Muir Pass, descends into LeConte Canyon, climbs over Bishop Pass, and finishes with a descent of the stunning South Fork of Bishop Creek to South Lake. Inside Muir Hut. Right outside of Bishop, California, the South Lake Trailhead over Bishop Pass to Dusy Basin offers everything you could want in a backpacking trip – big views, over a dozen lakes, waterfalls, and isolated camping. It was a tall order. Download area map for trail location. Muir Hut looking north . Day 6: Climb To Dusy Basin: Approaching Dusy Basin. But it was a windy day and since we made such good time, we set off for Muir Trail Ranch, our second resupply point. Day Six – Up over Bishop Pass and down to South Lake ... Evolution Lake and Muir Pass. We drove first to Parcher's Resort at South Lake, near Bishop. On the south side of Forester Pass, the John Muir Trail drops down a series of expertly engineered switchbacks in a narrow chasm, then winds around the steep sloping scree to the basin below. North/South Lake Loop; Rae Lakes Loop; Red Peak Pass Loop; Theodore Solomons Trail; Trans-Catalina Trail; Wonderland Trail; Gear; Forums. As they passed, coming over Muir Pass they raised concern of smoke and urged me to hike over Muir Pass into Evolution Basin. Many day hikers enjoy visiting Blue Lake (2.5 miles). Effective elevation gain was about 3100 ft. with 12 miles hike. Once in the basin, the trail continues downward on an easy grade to Tyndall Creek. Hermit and Evolution valley were in sight for some time. To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org. West Bi…, CA. In my 8 Step Guide To Planning Your JMT Hike, I explain that while you can’t really map out where you are going to camp each and every night, there are a few places you aren’t going to want to miss. False summit after false summit; least that’s how it felt. Climbing the hillside on the south side of Sabrina Lake, the trail leads to a series of high alpine lakes in a basin surrounded by glacier flanked 13,000 ft. granite peaks. The junction with Ruwau Lake is next, then you pass by Spearhead Lake that is almost connected to Long Lake. The open trail offers wonderful views of the peaks ringing the lakes basin, including Hurd Peak (12,237-ft.), Mt. All 3 of these passes are at about 12,000 feet in elevation. Day One – South Lake to Bishop Lake. Starting from the Duck Pass Trailhead in Mammoth Lakes, we hiked 5.5 miles to the John Muir Trail, followed the JMT south for 66.4 miles (from mile 70.5 to 136.9), and hiked out via the 10.9-mile Bishop Pass Trail to South Lake in Bishop. North Lake to South Lake Loop 55.0 mi 88.5 km • 9,037' Up 2754.56 m Up • 8,492' Down 2588.45 m Down. Muir Hut looking west . 2007/08/18 2007/08/10-17: John Muir Trail from Bishop Pass to Mt Whitney ... Getting dropped at South Lake Trailhead in Bishop was $50, and getting a ride back from Whitney Portal Trailhead, through Lonepine and to Bishop was $100, which was actually a good price considering it's a 1H+ drive. Full Details. From here, follow the trail 5.3 mi / 8.5 km past Long and Saddlerock Lakes over Bishop Pass (11,973 ft / 3,649 m) and then back down another 6.5 mi / 10.5 km to meet the PCT at PCT mile 831 (8,751 ft / 2,667 m). From Dusy Basin I continued on to the junction of the John Muir Trail where I headed north on the John Muir Trail until I reached Muir I crossed Muir Pass and reached close to Big Pete meadows. Your next stop is the drainage from Timberline Lake where you will have to hop on many rocks to cross the creek. Scott Cook, Lise Buyer, Patty Kert Dailey, Ann Waters, Bill Edwards, Katy Travaille, Jeffrey Scott, Jay Helms. That whole plan worked out fine, except for the fact that like an idiot, I forgot half my … Goode (13,085-ft.). Built by the Sierra Club, the hut serves as shelter for wayward backpackers on this lonesome, exposed stretch of trail. This route begins at the South Lake Picnic Area at the end of S Lake Rd in Bishop – east of the PCT. The Piute Pass Trail is a gentle 2,000 ascent up a gorgeous canyon over five miles. That means 20+ nights of epic camping.