Piute Pass, Humphreys Basin, July 15-23, 2017
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:56 pm
I just returned from a 8 day trip with my 2 teenage daughters to Piute Pass and Humphreys Basin.
We did not do many miles overall - this trip was more about teen-friendly hours and enjoyment
and exposure to snow.
The places we stayed were
0. North Lake Campground, at end of the Road
1. Piute Lake
2. A bit over Piute Pass, unnamed area N. of Summit Lake
3. Above Marmot Lake, 12,000'.
4. Around Upper Desolation Lake
5. Around Upper Golden Trout Lake
6. Above Muriel Lake
7. Piute Lake
This is our first exposure to snow and we and no real problems, and on special gear.
We avoided stream crossings in Humphreys Basin however, but we did spend a fair amount
of time on snow fields walking through sun cups.
A note on sentiment: At the ranger station in Bishop they are very pessimistic, however all hikers we met
were optimistic about their experiences even when reporting on the waist to chest deep crossing of
Evolution Creek (but note: there is heresy -- we did not do that).
Scattered Gear notes, recommendations, and notes:
- Among the 3 of us we had sneakers, trail runners, and very lightweight boots. Among the, say, 20 or so people
we met, leather boots, lightweight to mid weight, were common.
- We did not have, nor really have the need for, microspikes, much less crampons and ice axe, with the caveat
on a couple of descents over snow fields just E of Piute Pass, I didn't feel that comfortable (5'11", 190#, with,
say, 30# pack at that point) however my daughters were fine.
- We all had hiking poles and I strongly recommend these for the snow fields.
- Sun protection, esp on the snow fields - this is an issue. Obviously you need sun screen and lip balm with an
SPF. I recommend 2 bandanas per person so you can cover your face, and next time would consider a balaclava.
I recommend a spare lip balm in case you lose the main one, along with some night time lip treatment like
Aquaphor. Of course some floppy sun hat is also a necessity.
- We were usually above 10,000 and slept one night at 12,000. I had some mild headaches and took aspirin
sparingly -- next time I'll try just taking 1 per day for the first few days.
- Clothing: we had "normal" summer clothing, lightweight hiking pants and long sleeve shirts. Occasionally
in the windy afternoons I would put on an undershirt and/or wind breaker. A few people had gaiters but I don't
think there was any point for us.
- Tent: 3 season tent - we never slept on snow, nor did we need to.
- Snow fields, again -- every day we crossed snow fields, probably distances of 10 to 100 meters - but there
was lots of dry ground too.
- Navigation: we were almost always XC and off trail and navitaging by going towards distant peaks.
- Weather: I don't know the exact temps, but pleasant during the day and around 7pm we would start to layer up.
We sleep w/o rain fly most nights -- it never rained and we didn't really need it for any kind of extra
warmth, nor for dew.
- Mosquitos: In Humphreys Basin there was almost aways a breeze while we were there, plus we tended to camp
"dry" and sleep away and above lakes, so skeeters were not an issue -- until the last night, at Piute Lake, when
it was annoying. I never used my headset, while my daughters did rarely.
- Water: Used Aquamira about 1/2 the time, and the rest of the times just drank fresh snow melt.
- Best Meal: Tried and enjoyed Skurka's Frito surprise:http://andrewskurka.com/2015/backpackin ... os-cheese/
- The campground at the end of the road - our first time there - it feels like Friday by noon it can definitely
fill up. I would not plan on arriving Sat and getting a spot. The long term parking 0.7 miles away from
there, however, feels like it would always have a spot for 1 more car.
Before the trip we stayed 1 night at the Bishop Creek Resort.
After we stayed in Bishop at the Creekside Inn.
In Bishop we ate at the Pizza Factory, Village Cafe, and Great Basin Bakery.
We would do all of the above again though instead of the Pizza Factory I might try another place.
Hope this helps people on future trips.
- Dave
PS
Sorry if the formatting is wonky. This is my first long post and I am trying to get a handle on things while not delaying this too much.
We did not do many miles overall - this trip was more about teen-friendly hours and enjoyment
and exposure to snow.
The places we stayed were
0. North Lake Campground, at end of the Road
1. Piute Lake
2. A bit over Piute Pass, unnamed area N. of Summit Lake
3. Above Marmot Lake, 12,000'.
4. Around Upper Desolation Lake
5. Around Upper Golden Trout Lake
6. Above Muriel Lake
7. Piute Lake
This is our first exposure to snow and we and no real problems, and on special gear.
We avoided stream crossings in Humphreys Basin however, but we did spend a fair amount
of time on snow fields walking through sun cups.
A note on sentiment: At the ranger station in Bishop they are very pessimistic, however all hikers we met
were optimistic about their experiences even when reporting on the waist to chest deep crossing of
Evolution Creek (but note: there is heresy -- we did not do that).
Scattered Gear notes, recommendations, and notes:
- Among the 3 of us we had sneakers, trail runners, and very lightweight boots. Among the, say, 20 or so people
we met, leather boots, lightweight to mid weight, were common.
- We did not have, nor really have the need for, microspikes, much less crampons and ice axe, with the caveat
on a couple of descents over snow fields just E of Piute Pass, I didn't feel that comfortable (5'11", 190#, with,
say, 30# pack at that point) however my daughters were fine.
- We all had hiking poles and I strongly recommend these for the snow fields.
- Sun protection, esp on the snow fields - this is an issue. Obviously you need sun screen and lip balm with an
SPF. I recommend 2 bandanas per person so you can cover your face, and next time would consider a balaclava.
I recommend a spare lip balm in case you lose the main one, along with some night time lip treatment like
Aquaphor. Of course some floppy sun hat is also a necessity.
- We were usually above 10,000 and slept one night at 12,000. I had some mild headaches and took aspirin
sparingly -- next time I'll try just taking 1 per day for the first few days.
- Clothing: we had "normal" summer clothing, lightweight hiking pants and long sleeve shirts. Occasionally
in the windy afternoons I would put on an undershirt and/or wind breaker. A few people had gaiters but I don't
think there was any point for us.
- Tent: 3 season tent - we never slept on snow, nor did we need to.
- Snow fields, again -- every day we crossed snow fields, probably distances of 10 to 100 meters - but there
was lots of dry ground too.
- Navigation: we were almost always XC and off trail and navitaging by going towards distant peaks.
- Weather: I don't know the exact temps, but pleasant during the day and around 7pm we would start to layer up.
We sleep w/o rain fly most nights -- it never rained and we didn't really need it for any kind of extra
warmth, nor for dew.
- Mosquitos: In Humphreys Basin there was almost aways a breeze while we were there, plus we tended to camp
"dry" and sleep away and above lakes, so skeeters were not an issue -- until the last night, at Piute Lake, when
it was annoying. I never used my headset, while my daughters did rarely.
- Water: Used Aquamira about 1/2 the time, and the rest of the times just drank fresh snow melt.
- Best Meal: Tried and enjoyed Skurka's Frito surprise:http://andrewskurka.com/2015/backpackin ... os-cheese/
- The campground at the end of the road - our first time there - it feels like Friday by noon it can definitely
fill up. I would not plan on arriving Sat and getting a spot. The long term parking 0.7 miles away from
there, however, feels like it would always have a spot for 1 more car.
Before the trip we stayed 1 night at the Bishop Creek Resort.
After we stayed in Bishop at the Creekside Inn.
In Bishop we ate at the Pizza Factory, Village Cafe, and Great Basin Bakery.
We would do all of the above again though instead of the Pizza Factory I might try another place.
Hope this helps people on future trips.
- Dave
PS
Sorry if the formatting is wonky. This is my first long post and I am trying to get a handle on things while not delaying this too much.