Binoculars in the Backcountry: Humphreys Basin

Piute Pass trail approach to Loch Leven Lake

This was our first overnight trek into the Sierra Nevada this year. Our friend Hikin' Bill suggested the Humphreys Basin north of Piute Pass. It's an area all of us had been to parts of in the past, but never explored thoroughly. With four days set aside we had plenty of time to make base camps then hike around and see the basin. The first day had us going from the North Lake trailhead up to Piute Pass then cross-country north into the basin at the base of Mt. Humphreys. Until we reached the Piute trail again on our last day, all travel would be cross-country. Smoke from the Lions Peak fire near Mammoth to the north did filter down toward us the first afternoon and evening. By the second morning it was mostly gone and would remain so for the rest of our trip.

Loch Leven Lake with Piute Pass (11,423 feet) in the center back

Approaching Piute Lake - the meadow of cinquefoil and shooting stars was spectacular

Owls Clover along the trail

Piute Pass with a remnant snowfield

Bill trudges up the well tracked snowfield

The view west from the pass

Mt Humphreys from near our first camp

Camp near Cony Lake at 11,600 feet elevation with Mt Humphreys beyond

Smoke from the Lions Peak fire near over a forest of suncups

Forest fire smoke does make for a dramatic sunset

The second day we moved our camp farther into the basin between Marmot and Humphreys Lakes, and set up our afternoon hike to the Sierra crest on the south shoulder of Mt Humphreys. It was a spectacular boulder and snow filled trek with great views of some seldom seen country.

Hike track Link

Humphreys Lake #2

Columbine flowers

Humphreys Lake #3

Trekking above tree line

The Glacier Divide across Piute Canyon from the shoulder of Mt Humphreys

Crossing a snow field

The dramatic Mt Humphreys from camp

Sunset from camp

The third day we moved camp to near Desolation Lake for an afternoon hike to Puppet Pass (Carol Col). Susan and I had been over Puppet Pass a few years ago on our Sierra High Route trip and knew the view there to be spectacular. A day trip up there was worth the effort.

Hike Track Link

Humphreys Lake #1

Forsaken and Desolation Lakes

Traversing the granite ramps and talus down to Forsaken Lake

Mt Humphreys behind Desolation Lake

The Glacier Divide across Piute Canyon

Mt Humphreys and Desolation Lake

The view from Puppet Pass looking north across French Canyon. Majestic Merriam and Royce Peaks in the upper right

Puppet Pass panoramic view

The Glacier Divide at sunset

Alpenglow on Mt Humphreys

From our camp near Desolation Lake we had about 10 miles to the car. It was a lovely smoke-free day as we traveled back over Piute Pass and down the canyon.