Sierra High Route Planning

Sierra High Route
Stage 2

[Overview] [Stage 1] [Stage 2] [Stage 3] [Stage 4] [Stage 5]

This section is perhaps the most beautiful and also the longest stage of the trip. We'll hike through the Evolution Valley, one of the most prized destination alpine spots in the Sierra.

Stage 2 Overview

Detail Maps

Section 4 - Lake Italy to Edison Lake
Section 3 - Humphrey's Basin to Lake Italy
Section 2 - Evolution Lake to Humphrey's Basin
Section 1 - South Lake to Evolution Lake

Logistics and Notes

Starts at South Lake near Bishop
Ends at Edison Lake

If you time it properly, you can catch a ferry ride across Lake Edison at the end of this stage. The entire lake isn't shown below.

Potential Climbs: Black Giant, Mt. Goddard, Mt. Goethe, Feather Pk, Seven Gables

Itinerary

Day	Start - End Points	Terrain	Miles	Elevation Gain/Loss
1	South Lake - Dusy Basin	Tr	6.5	-1000 + 2500
2	Dusy Basin - Upper Le Conte Cyn	Tr	7.5	+2130 - 1900
3	Upper Le Conte Cyn - Helen Lk (Climb)	Tr	2	+700
4	Helen Lk - Evolution Lake	Tr	6.5	+400 -1100
5	Evolution Lake - Muriel Lk	XC	5.5	+1800 -1300
6	Flying Resupply - North Lake	Tr	10	+2000 -2000
7	Muriel Lk - Merriam Lk	XC	8.3	+1900 -1800
8	Merriam Lk - (Feather Pk?) - Black Bear Lake	XC	4	+1600 -900
9	Layover/Rest
10	Black Bear Lake - Lower Mills Creek Lake	XC	7	+1800 -2500
11	Lower Mills Creek Lake - Lake Edison	Tr	10	-3600 +400

Miles this stage: 65

Loop Hikes

A loop hike is a short backpack trip that starts and ends at or near the same trailhead. Here are some possible hikes during this stage that allow hikers to meet John and accompany him for some small segment of the route and and then return to their starting point.

South Lake - Evolution Lake Loop (7-9 days)

Join John at Stage 2 starting point at South Lake near Bishop.
With John: Dusy Basin, LeConte Cyn, Evolution Basin, Darwin Bench.
Independent: Over Lamarck Col back to North Lake.
OR
Continue with John over Alpine Col and then depart east over Piute Pass and out to North Lake.

North Lake - Lake Italy Loop (5-7 days)

Enter from North Lake and travel over Piute Pass to join John in Humphrey's Basin.
With John: Merriam Lake, Lake Italy.
Independent: exit over pass south of Mt. Dade into Little Lakes Valley, to Rock Creek trailhead.
Take east side shuttle bus back to North Lake.

Florence Lake - Lake Italy Loop (5-7 days)

From West side enter at Florence Lk.
Hike up S. Fork San Joaquin joing John near Evolution Lake or Merriam Lake.
With John: to Lake Italy, over Mono Divide and down to Lake Edison Resupply. Car shuttle or hitch hike back to Florence Lake.
Shortcut: Hike up Bear Creek to join John at Lake Italy.