23 years ago my old backpacking partner Kim and I hiked the North Lake- South Lake Loop near Bishop.
We didn't really know what we were getting into. The trip was both memorable and epic.
Time passes quickly. I had always wanted to go back and do that loop again. Kim got married and had
twins. 23 years later my friend Barry from Florida was interested enough to fly out. We would hike this
loop this time from the South.
We dropped a car at North Lake, and hired Paul of East Side Shuttle to drop us at South Lake
It was a beautiful clear morning as we passed Long Lake
However by 1pm it was raining, and rather than go over Bishop Pass in a
thunderstorm, we camped at Saddlerock Lake.
The next morning it was over Bishop Pass and into beautiful Dusy Basin
The pattern of afternoon rain held as we dropped into LeConte Canyon
By day 3 we were at the comfortably camped at the top of LeConte Canyon
Next it was up and over famous Muir Pass.
Now we were on the famous Muir Trail in July. There were southbound Muir Trail hikers on a mission,
but it did not detract from the beauty of Evolution Basin.
After a lovely night at Evolution Lake, it was on to beautiful McClure Meadow
The crossing of Evolution Creek was easy in this dry year.
Soon we were down at Muir Trail Ranch for resupply, and a soak in Blaney Hot Springs
The next day it was up the Puite Pass Trail. The number of other hikers was now greatly
diminished as we climbed to beautiful Hutchinson Meadow.
Up and over Puite Pass and past Humphries peak. Unfortunately I took a
little slip crossing French Creek. I was fine, but the camera took three days to recover.
The last night was spent at Puite Lake.
It was raining lightly as we exited to our car at North Lake.
Even more photos and narrative are here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lschaaf55/albums/72157654589878384/with/20189604200/
Thanks for looking,
L
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2015 10:45AM by lschaaf.