Loop from North Lake 6/18-24 2015
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 10:56 am
This was my first trip with a HST member! After chatting on the forum about Tehipite Valley, “Ska-T” notified me that this was also on his bucket list. I preferred not to solo due to the bears. After several e-mails, we agreed on a route from South Lake. Then, two days before the trip, forecasted temperatures in the high 90’s threw a wrench in the plan. Tehipite was scrapped and I pulled out a 7-day higher altitude loop from North Lake that was in the works for later in the summer. This turned out to be a wise choice as it was hot enough at 11,000 feet. I cannot imagine the misery at 4,500 feet! I had never seen the lower Piute Canyon, Evolution Valley or McGee Lakes and Ska-T also had not seen Darwin Bench or Lamarck Col, so this “Plan B” had lots of new areas for both of us.
Day 1, June 18: TH to Muriel Lake: 5.2 miles, about 4.5 hours, 2125 feet gain.
We met in the Bishop City Park to coordinate in mosquito-free conditions. Lunches were devoured and packs were ready; we drove to North Lake and were on the trial at 1:30 PM. Although hot, a nice breeze kept it tolerable and tamped down the few mosquitoes. We kept to a slow trudge (both driving from sea level the altitude was very apparent) all the way top Muriel Lake where we found an established campsite. No sooner had we set up and a young couple plopped down 50 feet from us, clueless that they were in a wilderness with unlimited campsites that would not crowd us; at least they were quiet. It was late and I was too tired to fish so we cooked dinner and the wind died down just in time to make eating a bit challenging. The late day lighting was perfect for photos. Nearly the solstice, it seemed to stay light forever. Light or not, I was beat, and happy to watch the sunset from inside my tent while lying down. Sleep was spotty due to first day aches and pains. Ska-T “cowboy camped” at an adjacent site, perhaps not the best idea as it cooled off, dew condensed and there was a light frost by early morning.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... iuteLk.jpg[/rimg]
Piute Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... l%20Lk.jpg[/rimg]
Muriel Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... ited-1.jpg[/rimg]
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... l%20Lk.jpg[/rimg]
Muriel Lake
Day 2, June 19: Muriel Lake to San Joaquin: 10.8 miles, about 8 hours and 3440 feet of descent.
It was light before 5AM. We planned on an early start to beat the heat, as we would drop down to about 8,000 feet elevation and expected Piute Canyon to be a bit of an oven. It did not take the sun long to dry everything, and we headed cross-country to Wahoo Lakes by 7:30AM. As we crossed the outlet of Muriel Lake, we ran into another fellow. From Wahoo Lakes we dropped to Upper Golden Lake and I waded across while Ska-T with his longer legs found an upstream rock-hopping crossing. I had thought of a side trip to Packsaddle Lake, but decided that we had better stick to our objective (reaching McGee Lakes the next day). I had forgotten about the five stream branches that have to be crossed near Hutchins Meadow. Luckily each branch had sufficient logs or rocks to hop. We stopped for lunch, filled up water bottles and continued down into the furnace.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... oldenL.jpg[/rimg]
Upper Golden Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Canyon.jpg[/rimg]
Piute Canyon
I had not been through the lower Piute Canyon and enjoyed scoping out everything. Piute Creek was beautiful as it tumbled down below the trail. The lower part of the canyon became quite impressive. There was little shade. Ska-T took out his silver Go-lite umbrella as I simply suffered the heat. We both suffered sore feet. My new shoes, new Superfeet and new thick socks added up to a tight fit; Ska-T because of the opposite problem of old shoes with rough seams inside. Lumpy old shoes, too-tight new shoes, old knees, heat and a rough trail made for slow going. We met two groups sweating profusely ascending as we descended. At least there were no mosquitoes! Finally we reached the bridge at the confluence with the San Joaquin and settled on a well-used campsite near the river. A bucket bath never felt so good! A nearby camper came by and caught a small fish. Again, I was too tired to bother with fishing. I needed to eat up that heavy food in the bear can! As the evening cooled temperatures were perfect and there was not a single mosquito in sight.
Day 3, June 20: San Joaquin to McGee Lakes: 11 miles, about 9 hours and 2820 elevation gain.
Once on the trail at 7:30 a continual procession of hikers passed us going north, many appearing to be PCT thru-hikers. Goddard Canyon was as beautiful as Piute and in the early morning hours there was plenty of shade. Nearing Evolution Valley a few mosquitoes appeared but again a nice breeze helped. At the crossing, several others were stopped, drying off feet. The crossing was high-thigh deep on me but relatively easy. I did not bring wading shoes, but just an extra set of insoles. This turned out to be fortunate, since the Superfeet were too thick. With one pair of thinner socks and the cheap insoles from an old pair of tennis shoes, I was able to give my feet more breathing room and the wet cool shoes actually felt good. We stopped for lunch at the ranger’s cabin. I was a bit disappointed in Evolution Valley. It was scenic but not outstanding.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Canyon.jpg[/rimg]
Goddard Canyon
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Valley.jpg[/rimg]
Evolution Valley
We overshot the turn-off to McGee Creek, and came back and found the upstream “log crossing”. It was too precarious for me so I waded part way and then climbed up onto the log at the deep point. There was no distinct use-trail but the terrain continuing up was relatively clear of underbrush. At one point we crossed McGee Creek and eventually bumped into the real use-trail. This was the one area where mosquitoes were quite pesky so we had little rest until we reached the upper crossing of McGee Creek. The valley was quite lush and green and broader than I had anticipated. We debated camping here to avoid backtracking for our next day’s hike, but decided we rather camp up at the lakes. We followed cairns upward, on a very steep hillside. Upward, it appeared that there were several variations. The one we took was likely just a game trail to which someone added a few cairns. We popped out on the bench that contains the McGee Lakes, and found a nice campsite at the small unnamed lower lake. I fished the outlet for about a half hour and caught one rather meager little fish. Ska-T went above the waterfall and came back reporting more fish up there, but I was too beat to take advantage of that information. We were blessed with a great sunset. The wind died down just in time to make eating dinner a bit unpleasant. All in all it was a good day.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... cGeeCe.jpg[/rimg]
Wide spot in river above confluence with McGee Creek
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... eekALT.jpg[/rimg]
McGee Creek
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... e_camp.jpg[/rimg]
Camp at small unnamed lowest McGee Lake
Day 1, June 18: TH to Muriel Lake: 5.2 miles, about 4.5 hours, 2125 feet gain.
We met in the Bishop City Park to coordinate in mosquito-free conditions. Lunches were devoured and packs were ready; we drove to North Lake and were on the trial at 1:30 PM. Although hot, a nice breeze kept it tolerable and tamped down the few mosquitoes. We kept to a slow trudge (both driving from sea level the altitude was very apparent) all the way top Muriel Lake where we found an established campsite. No sooner had we set up and a young couple plopped down 50 feet from us, clueless that they were in a wilderness with unlimited campsites that would not crowd us; at least they were quiet. It was late and I was too tired to fish so we cooked dinner and the wind died down just in time to make eating a bit challenging. The late day lighting was perfect for photos. Nearly the solstice, it seemed to stay light forever. Light or not, I was beat, and happy to watch the sunset from inside my tent while lying down. Sleep was spotty due to first day aches and pains. Ska-T “cowboy camped” at an adjacent site, perhaps not the best idea as it cooled off, dew condensed and there was a light frost by early morning.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... iuteLk.jpg[/rimg]
Piute Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... l%20Lk.jpg[/rimg]
Muriel Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... ited-1.jpg[/rimg]
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... l%20Lk.jpg[/rimg]
Muriel Lake
Day 2, June 19: Muriel Lake to San Joaquin: 10.8 miles, about 8 hours and 3440 feet of descent.
It was light before 5AM. We planned on an early start to beat the heat, as we would drop down to about 8,000 feet elevation and expected Piute Canyon to be a bit of an oven. It did not take the sun long to dry everything, and we headed cross-country to Wahoo Lakes by 7:30AM. As we crossed the outlet of Muriel Lake, we ran into another fellow. From Wahoo Lakes we dropped to Upper Golden Lake and I waded across while Ska-T with his longer legs found an upstream rock-hopping crossing. I had thought of a side trip to Packsaddle Lake, but decided that we had better stick to our objective (reaching McGee Lakes the next day). I had forgotten about the five stream branches that have to be crossed near Hutchins Meadow. Luckily each branch had sufficient logs or rocks to hop. We stopped for lunch, filled up water bottles and continued down into the furnace.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... oldenL.jpg[/rimg]
Upper Golden Lake
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Canyon.jpg[/rimg]
Piute Canyon
I had not been through the lower Piute Canyon and enjoyed scoping out everything. Piute Creek was beautiful as it tumbled down below the trail. The lower part of the canyon became quite impressive. There was little shade. Ska-T took out his silver Go-lite umbrella as I simply suffered the heat. We both suffered sore feet. My new shoes, new Superfeet and new thick socks added up to a tight fit; Ska-T because of the opposite problem of old shoes with rough seams inside. Lumpy old shoes, too-tight new shoes, old knees, heat and a rough trail made for slow going. We met two groups sweating profusely ascending as we descended. At least there were no mosquitoes! Finally we reached the bridge at the confluence with the San Joaquin and settled on a well-used campsite near the river. A bucket bath never felt so good! A nearby camper came by and caught a small fish. Again, I was too tired to bother with fishing. I needed to eat up that heavy food in the bear can! As the evening cooled temperatures were perfect and there was not a single mosquito in sight.
Day 3, June 20: San Joaquin to McGee Lakes: 11 miles, about 9 hours and 2820 elevation gain.
Once on the trail at 7:30 a continual procession of hikers passed us going north, many appearing to be PCT thru-hikers. Goddard Canyon was as beautiful as Piute and in the early morning hours there was plenty of shade. Nearing Evolution Valley a few mosquitoes appeared but again a nice breeze helped. At the crossing, several others were stopped, drying off feet. The crossing was high-thigh deep on me but relatively easy. I did not bring wading shoes, but just an extra set of insoles. This turned out to be fortunate, since the Superfeet were too thick. With one pair of thinner socks and the cheap insoles from an old pair of tennis shoes, I was able to give my feet more breathing room and the wet cool shoes actually felt good. We stopped for lunch at the ranger’s cabin. I was a bit disappointed in Evolution Valley. It was scenic but not outstanding.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Canyon.jpg[/rimg]
Goddard Canyon
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... Valley.jpg[/rimg]
Evolution Valley
We overshot the turn-off to McGee Creek, and came back and found the upstream “log crossing”. It was too precarious for me so I waded part way and then climbed up onto the log at the deep point. There was no distinct use-trail but the terrain continuing up was relatively clear of underbrush. At one point we crossed McGee Creek and eventually bumped into the real use-trail. This was the one area where mosquitoes were quite pesky so we had little rest until we reached the upper crossing of McGee Creek. The valley was quite lush and green and broader than I had anticipated. We debated camping here to avoid backtracking for our next day’s hike, but decided we rather camp up at the lakes. We followed cairns upward, on a very steep hillside. Upward, it appeared that there were several variations. The one we took was likely just a game trail to which someone added a few cairns. We popped out on the bench that contains the McGee Lakes, and found a nice campsite at the small unnamed lower lake. I fished the outlet for about a half hour and caught one rather meager little fish. Ska-T went above the waterfall and came back reporting more fish up there, but I was too beat to take advantage of that information. We were blessed with a great sunset. The wind died down just in time to make eating dinner a bit unpleasant. All in all it was a good day.
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... cGeeCe.jpg[/rimg]
Wide spot in river above confluence with McGee Creek
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... eekALT.jpg[/rimg]
McGee Creek
[rimg]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg23 ... e_camp.jpg[/rimg]
Camp at small unnamed lowest McGee Lake