Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
stairs. Cross the outlet to Lake McDermand, usually made easy by a stepping-stone
bridge, and continue up the rocky switchbacks to Muir Pass (11,955 feet). Camping
is forbidden on the ridge, as there's no place to dispose of human waste.
After savoring the view, descend on rocky zigzags toward an unnamed glacial
snowmelt lake. Continue switchbacking down, sometimes over snowfields in early
season, dropping a little more than a mile to stunning Helen Lake (11,617 feet),
named for Muir's second daughter. There is limited exposed camping here. Cross the
outlet of Helen Lake, a difficult feat when the water's high, and conquer another
obstacle course crossing the southern side of a small marshy tarn.
Drop down into meadow and continue lowering toward treeline, hugging the
canyon wall along the Middle Fork Kings River. As you lose elevation, the land-
scape becomes more lush and green as the river navigates its way down the valley.
Riverside campsites can be found beyond Helen Lake by climbing up some of the
ridges along the trail. Water is fairly omnipresent. Continue the stunning descent into
the valley past wildflowers, snowmelt streaming down the canyon wall, and un-
named lakes with gorgeous greenish hues reflecting the trees. The trail, choked with
manzanita, narrows as you descend. At times, it's rocky and steep, but it gradually
gives way to wood thickets and meadow.
Arrive at Big Pete Meadow (9,200 feet) followed by an aspen grove and, in an-
other mile, Little Pete Meadow (8,880 feet). Ironically, the second meadow is the lar-
ger of the two, but there is lots of good riverside camping in both of these areas.
Meander through a section of lovely ferns descending farther into Le Conte Canyon.
There is a ranger station (8,750 feet; manned from June to mid-September) near the
junction with the trail to Dusy Basin. There are lovely wooded campsites along the
river just below the ranger station.
Hikers continuing on the JMT would head straight southward following the
Middle Fork Kings River. Instead, turn left to leave the JMT and begin the steep
eastward ascent of more than 3,000 feet toward Bishop Pass. Embark on the first of
two sets of switchbacks through a swath of forest along the Dusy Branch of the
Kings River. The second set heads through the sparsely forested Dusy Basin. For
camping, pass north of the lowest lake and ascend a side trail to campsites at the
largest northernmost lake nearly 5 miles from the trail junction.
From the main trail, follow the sandy path up the final eastward pitch to Bishop
Pass (11,972 feet) and enjoy northern views of the Inconsolable Range and the arid
Owens Valley in the distance. Descend neatly through stunted white-bark pines (and
sometimes through snowfields) toward Bishop Lake, and follow the east shore of
Saddlerock Lake (11,128 feet), 2 miles below the pass. Cross the lake's outlet on a
footbridge and enjoy a moderate descent through rocky tundra past Timberline
