HR Itinerary: Italy to Puppet & Goddard to Piute Trail

[irrfin]

We leave tomorrow for 2 weeks. I hope to share my first trip report when we get back, likely in September as I am a teacher and the school year starts in August. If anyone has any suggestions for my open-ended campsites or more specific ideas for our rest day-hiking day in the Bear Lakes Basin, please feel free to chime in (I will probably lose cell service around noon PST).

I did the Bear Lakes Basin loop solo from Italy to Vee starting at Bear Creek Diversion in early July of 2013 so I am familiar with part of the journey.

Locations:
High Sierra National Forest / John Muir Wilderness / Kings Canyon NP

Week 1 8/2-8/9
DB and AI

8/2: LONG
Park car Bear Creek Diversion
Hike Bear Creek Trail to PCT/JMT junction for camp 1

8/3: MODERATE
Hike south PCT/JMT for 1 mile
East up Hilgard Branch to Lake Italy for camp 2

8/4: MODERATE
Hike south to Jumble Lake
Cross to White Bear Lake via Dancing Bear Pass
Camp at White Bear, Black Bear or Bear Paw Lake for camp 3

8/5: EASY
Base camp at camp 3
Day hike and explore (Vee Lake, Claw Lake, Den Lake, Gruff Lake)

8/6: MODERATE
Hike SE from Bear Paw Lake to Feather Pass
Cross to La Salle Lake area via Feather Pass
Hike South to Merriam Lake for camp 4

8/7: MODERATE
Merriam Lake to French Canyon
French Canyon to Puppet Lake for camp 5

8/8: LONG
Hike SW from Puppet Lake to Piute Trail
Find good site between Hutchinson Meadow and PCT/JMT junction on Piute Trail for camp 6

8/9: EASY
Camp 6 to PCT/JMT to Muir Trail Ranch
Locate good campsite on South side of River for camp 6
Chill, enjoy hot springs, explore
Await arrival of Jonathan at Muir Trail Ranch, likely in evening
Reration from Muir Trail Ranch Bucket


Week 2
DB, AI + JI

8/9: EASY
JI parks at Florence Lake Parking Lot
Takes Lake Boat Shuttle Across to West side
Jonathan hikes Florence Trail to Muir Trail Ranch
Camp 1 in Muir Trail Ranch area after meeting DB and AI

8/10: MODERATE
Hike south on PCT/JMT to Goddard Canyon Junction
Find first best camp at junction or in Goddard Canyon heading south into canyon for camp 2

8/11: LONG
Hike South up Goddard Canyon Trail
Follow North Goddard Creek as landmark to Davis Lake for camp 3

8/12: EASY
From Davis Lake cross Davis Lake Pass west to Wanda Lake
From Wanda Lake take PCT/JMT north to Evolution Lake for camp 4

8/13: EASY
From Evolution Lake head north towards Alpine Col
Find good site in Darwin Canyon, Darwin Bench or closer to Alpine Col for camp 5

8/14: MODERATE
From camp 5 cross Alpine Col north to Goethe Lake
From Goethe Lake head north to Murie Lake
Find good site at Murie Lake, Wahoo Lakes***, or Golden Trout Lakes for camp 6

8/15: MODERATE
From camp 6 head east on Puite Trail
Find good camp mid point between Hutchinson Meadow & JMT/PCT junction for camp 7
If possible push through to Muir Trail Ranch (makes 8/15 very long, 8/16 easy)

8/16: LONG
Camp 7 to Florence Lake TH for Exit
Bring money for boat shuttle for 3 people
JI drives DB & AI to Bear Creek Diversion OHV road
DB and AI hike 3 miles w/out packs to car, drive home seperately