Visitors please note that numerous graphics on this place basically invalidate modem connections. Unless you are really, really, really patient.  DSL and T1 connections should load fine.  Page-load is estimated at 3800 seconds over a 28.8 modem.

After this pleasant rest on a bed of gravel, we descend the canyon on the south side the following day. As you can see, the way is somewhat rugged and not for the faint of heart.

While visually spectacular, the route down can offer some significant challenges, especially if the would-be mountaineer should pick the wrong path.

The successful hiker will come out at the bottom near the confluence of Goddard Creek and the South Fork of the San Joaquin, which may be easily forded above the confluence at about 10,000 feet.

After a brisk hike uphill along a steep gorge and lovely cataracts, the hiker finds the use trail, which dwindles to nothing and eventually disappears entirely.  After another mile, the gorge levels out into what I call Wotan's Parking Lot, a broad expanse of Arctic tundra gravel dotted by occasional plants about the cirque that embraces Martha Lake, the apparent origin of the Golden Trout.  Mount Goddard and a minor hillock loom over the barren lake.

Descending from here after a good night's sleep, there are many opportunities along the 10 mile descent to capture the canyon.

At the very bottom, right at the confluence of Piute Creek and Evolution Creek, you will find several Packer's campsites, a bridge and an excellent swimming hole designed for burning feet and delightful relief at 8,000 feet. 

Should you decide to climb the entire Piute Trail, you will ascend from about 8,000 feet to well over 11,000 over the course of 17 miles.  Persons not well advised have attempted this as a one-day affair. I am not familiar of anyone having succeeded.  Certainly, such an event would not be very enjoyable by any means.

Here is looking back from 9,000 feet.  The start is on the other side of the dome on the right. At the bottom.

There are advantages to hiking this trail.  The best and least reported happens to be the swimming offered.  After fighting a forest fire this hole was quite welcome.

Those of you contemplating the Keyhole notch or the Alpine col crossing should also carefully contemplate this view of both choices.  Distance from here to the cuts is about 1.5 miles, or about 4 hours of climbing.  Think twice.

After climbing steadily from Piute Creek, the hiker comes out into Humphries Basin, an Arctic Tundra at 11,000 feet that looks like this for some two miles before the pass itself.  It is quite flat -- compared with most pass approaches -- and filled will Sierra delights.

The other side is another story entirely, and resembles a spiril staircase that goes up, up, up for 2,000 feet.

At the summit of the Pass, after a brief heave-ho up the cirque, one is greeted by the following prospects.

Looking West, back the way we came:

And looking east, towards the destination.  It is only six miles from here to North Lake.  Wear earplugs, for the descent is quite sharp.  And yes, that is snow you are looking down on. 

Return to Homepage | Camping 1998 | Camping 2000 | Camping 2001 | CAMPING HOME