North Lake Loop via Lamarck Col-Puite Pass
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:12 pm
Hello All,
Background
I secured a permit for Sept 11th out of Lake Lamarck TH. I believe I have a solid plan from searching this forum and reading Secor's book on the Evolution area. I just wanted a sanity check of my plans from to community to make sure I am not missing anything or haven't though of something. I will be hiking alone.
Itinerary
Day 0: Plan on staying at the North Lake Campground in order to get up early and start the loop.
Day 1: Hike up the Lake Lamarck Trail and up the Lamarck Col into Darwin Canyon/Bench meeting up with the PCT around Evolution Lake. I'll follow the PCT down into Evolution Valley and around camp somewhere between McClure Meadow and Evolution Meadow. Roughly 10-13 miles
Stretch goal is to shoot over to the Mt. Lamarck peak before dropping down into Darwin Canyon. Depending on how I feel.
Day 2: Follow the PCT until Puite Canyon, turn north and follow the Puite Creek to Hutchinson Meadows area. Camping in the Hutchinson Meadows area. Roughly 10 miles.
Stretch goal is to summit Emerald Peak via the North Chute first thing in morning on day 2. This could add about 5 miles (and elevation) and significant time to day 2. Back up plan instead of exiting via Puite Pass would be to back track along Evolution Valley and camp at Evolution Lake area or Lake 11092.
Day 3: If all goes to plan, follow the trail from Hutchinson Meadows up and over Puite Pass and down to the North Lake TH.
Alternate is to hike out over Lamarck Col the way I came, depending on day 2 and Emerald Peak.
Quesitons
Weather/gear: I plan on using a 30 degree Western Mountaineering bag. Does anyone think this is a concern?
Is attempting to summit Emerald Peak worth the risk of not completing the loop and missing out on seeing Puite Canyon/Humphrey's Basin area? I know this is a matter of opinion but any insight would be great.
Inyo NF website states that the North Lake Campground closes in Sept. Is this weather dependent?
Other Information
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Class 1 terrain/trail hiking
- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country
- River crossings
What is your main interest?
- Lakes
- Forests
- Big Mountain scenery
- Climbing
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
Looking to do 3 days, 2 nights. Plan on spending one night at North Lake campground prior to starting the loop.
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers?
10-15 miles
Have you hiked at elevation before? Yes
Any prior issues with Altitude Sickness? No
Have you hiked in the Sierra Nevada before, if yes, where?
Last year I completed an Onion Valley to Whitney Portal in 4 days/3 nights.
Thanks for reading!!
Background
I secured a permit for Sept 11th out of Lake Lamarck TH. I believe I have a solid plan from searching this forum and reading Secor's book on the Evolution area. I just wanted a sanity check of my plans from to community to make sure I am not missing anything or haven't though of something. I will be hiking alone.
Itinerary
Day 0: Plan on staying at the North Lake Campground in order to get up early and start the loop.
Day 1: Hike up the Lake Lamarck Trail and up the Lamarck Col into Darwin Canyon/Bench meeting up with the PCT around Evolution Lake. I'll follow the PCT down into Evolution Valley and around camp somewhere between McClure Meadow and Evolution Meadow. Roughly 10-13 miles
Stretch goal is to shoot over to the Mt. Lamarck peak before dropping down into Darwin Canyon. Depending on how I feel.
Day 2: Follow the PCT until Puite Canyon, turn north and follow the Puite Creek to Hutchinson Meadows area. Camping in the Hutchinson Meadows area. Roughly 10 miles.
Stretch goal is to summit Emerald Peak via the North Chute first thing in morning on day 2. This could add about 5 miles (and elevation) and significant time to day 2. Back up plan instead of exiting via Puite Pass would be to back track along Evolution Valley and camp at Evolution Lake area or Lake 11092.
Day 3: If all goes to plan, follow the trail from Hutchinson Meadows up and over Puite Pass and down to the North Lake TH.
Alternate is to hike out over Lamarck Col the way I came, depending on day 2 and Emerald Peak.
Quesitons
Weather/gear: I plan on using a 30 degree Western Mountaineering bag. Does anyone think this is a concern?
Is attempting to summit Emerald Peak worth the risk of not completing the loop and missing out on seeing Puite Canyon/Humphrey's Basin area? I know this is a matter of opinion but any insight would be great.
Inyo NF website states that the North Lake Campground closes in Sept. Is this weather dependent?
Other Information
What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel
What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Class 1 terrain/trail hiking
- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country
- River crossings
What is your main interest?
- Lakes
- Forests
- Big Mountain scenery
- Climbing
How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead?
Looking to do 3 days, 2 nights. Plan on spending one night at North Lake campground prior to starting the loop.
How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers?
10-15 miles
Have you hiked at elevation before? Yes
Any prior issues with Altitude Sickness? No
Have you hiked in the Sierra Nevada before, if yes, where?
Last year I completed an Onion Valley to Whitney Portal in 4 days/3 nights.
Thanks for reading!!