Trip Report - North Lake-South Lake Loop, Kings Canyon NP

[lambertiana]

I just got back from an 8-day trip, starting at North Lake in Inyo NF and ending at South Lake in Inyo NF. On the first day it wasn't long before we reached Piute Lake:

After crossing Piute Pass, we dropped down Piute Creek to camp at upper Golden Trout Lake:

There we had a good view of sunset on Mt Humphries:

The next day we continued down Piute Creek, eventually joining the John Muir Trail at the northern boundary of Kings Canyon NP, where we camped for the night. Piute Creek goes through some nice country, with views of Glacier Divide:

More views along Piute Creek:

 

[JTC]

Beautiful country. Thanks for sharing. The company I work for has a warehuse in Visalia. Custom Chrome. How far is the area in the pictures from Visalia?

 

[lambertiana]

The third day we went south on the JMT, going through Evolution Valley:

We camped that night above Colby Meadow, where we had a good view of Mt Mendel:

The next day we continued south, going past Evolution Lake:

This was followed by an unnamed lake:

And then we got to Sapphire Lake, a real gem:

 

[lambertiana]

Just above Sapphire Lake, I saw the first of many insteresting cobblestone-like patches. Anyone have any theories?

Continuing south, we then passed Wanda Lake:

Then we went over Muir Pass; this is looking back toward Wanda Lake and Lake McDermand:

We then descended to camp at Helen Lake:

There was also a nice blue tarn above Helen Lake:

 

[lambertiana]

The next day we descended LeConte Canyon to the junction with the trail to Dusy Basin, where we stopped for the night. Here are various views in LeConte Canyon:

 

[lambertiana]

LeConte Canyon has some good walls:

The next day we went up the trail to Dusy Basin. At first we could see down LeConte Canyon:

Then we got to lower Dusy Basin:

 

[lambertiana]

We went to a lake in upper Dusy Basin, here are some pictures of the area around our camp:

 

[mtnfolk mike]

wow.. those are some amazing pics... i love the sierra's...

i've been throug hthe evolution valley before.. that place is awesome..

 

[lambertiana]

The next day I got an early start to climb Mt Agassiz (13,893', on the left in this picture from camp):

I went up the trail to Bishop Pass, and then it was 1900' vertical of mostly 50-55 degree class 2 rock, with a nice steep cliffy section in the middle. Here are shots from the bottom, and then halfway up, first looking up, then looking down:

 

[lambertiana]

The summit is a knife edge about 30' long and 5-8' wide. The views from the top were great:

Looking down the main Palisade Crest (the high point is North Palisade, 14,242'):

Looking west:

Looking east:

 

[mtnfolk mike]

wow.. those are some stunning shots....

 

[lambertiana]

After descending back to camp, we decided to head back over Bishop Pass to camp at Saddlerock Lake. On the way we had good views of Agassiz. My route to the summit is visible, can you pick it out?

We still had a good view of Agassiz from Saddlerock Lake:

Then yesterday we went down to exit at South Lake, passing a few good views on the way:

And here is South Lake:

This was one of the nicest trips I have ever done, and I recommend it as the quintessential Sierra high country visit.

 

[lambertiana]

Beautiful country. Thanks for sharing. The company I work for has a warehuse in Visalia. Custom Chrome. How far is the area in the pictures from Visalia?

As the crow flies it is probably about 60 miles, but the only easy trail access is from the Owens Valley, above Bishop. It was about five hours driving time to the trailhead.

 

[scotchleaf]

Great country, great pics. What range/state is that?

 

[WILLIAM.M]

stunning photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[caine]

WOW Those are awesome. pics

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Breathtaking pictures, as usual! :thumbup:

And as usual, I've saved most of the shots in my scenery folder. An interesting thing I've noticed is that I save all shots with water in them and only a small percentage of those without.

I'm not sure what that says about me..........

Doc

 

[omniviking]

Those are wonderful photos, what type of camera did you use?
About how many miles was your hike? 8 days is quite awhile to be out, did you go fishing any or carry all your supplies.

Thanks so much for show ing us your trip.:thumbup: Pat

 

[lambertiana]

Great country, great pics. What range/state is that?

Sierra Nevada range, California. Mostly in the northern end of Kings Canyon National Park, with some of it in immediately adjacent areas north and east of the park.

Ominviking - the total mileage, including the summit of Agassiz, was about 65. It made for a relaxing average of 8 miles/day, which we averaged doing in about 5-6 hours each day. That pace allowed a lot of time to explore. I didn't do any fishing on this trip, but I have seen some pretty hot fishing in high sierra lakes (frequently you get a fish almost every cast, and I have seen one place where the trout would jump out of the water to grab a lure that was hanging a few inches above the water). I carried all of my food in a bear canister, which is required in these parts. I used an Olympus SP-350 camera, on the second-highest resolution setting. I can't use the highest setting because it would take too much memory for my 2 GB card (I took 1158 pictures on this trip).

 

[TwinBlade]

One of the most impressive array of photos I have seen in a long time. You must have had an absolutely incredible and fun time. Thanks for sharing.