From the pass, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, crowned by the indomitable Mount Humphreys, and the Glacier Divide. Loch Leven A tarn above Loch Leven Piute Lake Snow below Piute Pass. At the top of the pass, I took a quick power nap, stuffed my mouth full of snacks, photographed the stunning views, and headed down the pass to Summit Lake. Piute Crags. Piute Pass Trail is a 16.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Bishop, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Hiking up near the top of Piute Pass with Piute Lake and the Bishop basin in the background. The other side of the pass opens up into the expansive Humphreys basin, where all the mountains are distant and yet still so obviously magnificent it lends to that “big sky” look you get in Montana. When we arrived at the top of Piute Pass, we had views of the half-frozen Summit Lake and all of Humphreys Basin. Notes: The Humphreys Basin is accessed from the North Lake campground, 20 miles southwest of Bishop. Over Piute Pass (11,423) the trail drops into Humphreys Basin, loaded with many high alpine lakes. To the west, it’s the vastness of Humphreys Basin. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September. I'm looking for suggestions from anyone who has taken the Piute Pass side trip off the JMT into the Humphreys Basin area. The trail up the pass was mellow and gave a nice preview of the sights to come as it passed by two pretty lakes and several tarns. To the east, it’s back down Piute Pass trail from where you came. There is also a side trail here that heads southwest towards Muriel Lake. The Piute Pass trail descends Piute Creek to Hutchinson Meadow and eventually joins the John Muir Trail. The skies were clear, just dotted with a few small clouds. Much of the day, we’ll be ascending past a series of lakes in the valley containing the north fork of Bishop Creek. Sun setting on Mt Humphreys as … By 12:30pm I was at Piute Pass. From Piute Pass, the views are spectacular to both the East and the West. We sat, ate lunch and enjoyed the gorgeous views. I want to see how I do at higher elevations plus this loop gives me a chance to see the Humphreys Basin and Dusy Basin, areas that I won't see on the … July 24th. Eventually crossing the Sierra Crest at Piute Pass (11,423 feet), we enter Humphreys Basin. The basin also serves as the headwaters of Piute Creek. Emerson and the reddish Piute Crags are seen. Day 1: Piute Pass Trailhead to French Canyon. It is a high elevation glacial basin mostly over 11,000 feet in elevation. The backcountry behind Piute Pass from North Lake is known as the Humphreys Basin. trail begins at the camp ground and heads south across 2 footbridges through a grove of aspen trees. He was fast! Thread starter balzaccom; Start date Jul 20, 2015; Tags california sierra nevada balzaccom Member. More Crags Even more. In preparation for my JMT thru hike starting in late August, I'm doing the North Lake to South Lake loop in mid July. Hiking up toward Piute Pass on day two. Once again, the views took our breath away. Paiute Pass and Humphreys Basin. After about 45 minutes of climbing, the snow surveyor passed me. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Jul 20, 2015 #1 After giving the weather a couple of days to settle down, we were back at North Lake to spend four days exploring Humphreys Basin. Piute Lake Piute Lake and Piute Pass Piute Lake and Loch Leven Humphreys Basin & Summit Lake Muriel Peak Mount Humphreys Muriel Lake Goethe Lake & Goethe Glaciers Marmot above Muriel Lake Mount Humphreys Peak 12,353ft Piute Lake Piute Lake in the morning Piute Lake Above Loch Leven Piute Pass Waterfalls Above Loch Leven The Lamarck Lake. 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