Our trip started late August - we flew to Reno, rented a car and drove to Bishop, CA. We started out late in the afternoon at North Lake and headed up the hill towards Piute Pass.
This a a map with our approximate itinerary.
We walked about 50 miles, and about 2 miles up and 2 miles down. We were
in the backcountry for 8 nights and 9 days, although one day we did not hike at
all, spending the day in our tents due to rain. About half of our trip was
cross country and about half was on trails. We did 7 passes, 2 of which
were over 12,000 feet. Almost all of our trip we spent above 10,000 feet,
except for coming in and going out (North Lake is around 9,400') and a short
time down in Hutchinson's Meadow.
Packing up, the "before" pictures.
First camp above Loch Leven, eating dinner.
The second day it rained all day, and we spent the whole day in our tents.
Drying out the next morning - enough time in the tents, already!
Looking down Piute Canyon towards Bishop.
Looking up at Piute Pass.
Over the pass into Humphrey's Basin.
We traversed Humphrey's Basin (this is where we left the trail) to Mesa Lake.
Then we went over Puppet Pass to Puppet Lake basin - that was steep!
Our campsite on Lorraine Lake, looking back towards Puppet Pass.
The third day we passed Puppet Lake, went down past Elba Lake, and then down into French Canyon, heading for Triple Divide Falls.
Crossing the creek in French Canyon. Then we left the trail and climbed up
to Merriam Lake.
The beautiful meadow below Merriam Lake.
Our campsite on Merriam Lake.
A panoramic view of Merriam Lake.
Breaking camp, day 4.
A steep climb up from Merriam Lake towards LaSalle Lake.
Working our way up towards Feather Pass. We are supposed to go up that
headwall somehow.
Brian and Dale, a couple of hikers going our way.
Our motley crew . . .
Going up the "obvious cleft" in the headwall.
Made it!
Looking back on LaSalle Lake from Feather Pass area.
Up towards Feather Pass.
The other side of Feather Pass - very steep!
Bear Lakes basin from Feather Pass.
The "welcome" shores of Bear Paw Lake.
Our camp site on Ursa Lake.
Ursa Lake panorama.
Feather Peak from Ursa Lake.
Day 5 - the hardest day - we climbed above Ursa Lake and White Bear Lake over Dancing Bear Pass, then across a basin filled with glaciers, huge boulders, slabs, and cliffs to Italy Pass, then down into Granite Park. We didn't go very far, but we worked hard.
Up from Ursa Lake.
Feather Pass from Black Bear Lake.
White Bear Lake.
Dancing Bear Pass - are we on the right planet?
The trek across to Italy Pass.
Italy Lake and Jumble Lake from Italy Pass.
Looking up at Italy Pass from Granite Park.
Clouds over Owens Valley from Granite Park.
Our campsite on an unnamed lake in Granite Park.
Day 6, going down Italy Pass trail to Honeymoon Lake.
Then climbing Pine Creek Pass on the trail.
Our campsite in French Canyon.
Day 7, down to Hutchinson's Meadow, then back up to Humphrey's Basin.
Our camp on Lower Golden Trout Lake.
Day 8, over Piute Pass and back down to North Lake.
The "after" pictures.
Since we came out a day early, we went to Yosemite, checking out El Capitan and Tuolumne Grove, where there are giant sequioas.
