North Lake to South Lake Trail and Map, I

Kings Canyon National Park

McClure Meadow, Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, California
McClure Meadow, Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, California

North Lake to South Lake Trail and Map, I

Kings Canyon National Park


Hiking from North Lake to South Lake,
Part I

Map

This popular trip starts on the east side of the Sierra at North Lake, passes through some of the most scenic areas of Kings Canyon National Park, and then loops back around to South Lake. The 54.4-mile journey leads over 3 high passes and deep into the LeConte Canyon. Hikers in good condition will enjoy every step of the trip.

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North Lake to Piute Creek Bridge,

16.7 miles

A fairly easy trail leads to the top of Piute Pass. Beyond, spreads Humphreys Basin. Most trail maps are somewhat vague and multiple use-trails crisscross the basin. The trail sweeps around the north side of the basin for about 4 miles before eventually joining Piute Creek. As long as you end up headed down Piute Creek, you are good.

Fine campsites are available along Piute Creek and after 6 miles from the top of the pass at Hutchinson Meadow. More campsites are located along the creek downstream from Hutchinson Meadow for a mile. Beyond that, the trail enters steep and rugged Piute Canyon, descending another 4 miles to the Piute Creek bridge and the junction with the John Muir Trail.

Campsites are found soon after the bridge and farther upstream near a second bridge.

Piute Creek, John Muir Wilderness, California

Piute Creek


Piute Creek Bridge to Evolution Valley,

7.6 miles

From the Piute Creek Bridge the trail parallels the South Fork San Joaquin River for 4 miles of easy travel up to the confluence of Evolution Creek with the San Joaquin. Cross the river on a bridge and find a nice campsite among the trees. A little father on the trail begins a steep climb up to Evolution Valley. Switchbacks lead the first 700 feet of climbing and then a gradual ascent along Evolution Creek.

At the entrance to Evolution Valley the trail crosses the creek, a difficult pro position early in the season when water levels are high. The best choice any time of year is to continue upstream on a use-trail for 800 feet to a meadow and popular ford where the creek is shallower.

Four-mile-long is a series of meadows - Evolution Meadow, McClure Meadow, and Colby Meadow. A ranger station is located at McClure Meadow. Nice campsites are available all along Evolution Valley.

Meadow crossing of Evolution Creek, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Meadow Crossing of Evolution Creek



Along the Way


1942 Airplane Crash on Mendel Glacier

In November 1942 a U.S. Army Air Corps AT-7 Navigator from Mather Field near Sacramento crashed on the slopes of Mount Mendel, a mile north of Evolution Lake. The training flight carried a pilot (2nd Lt. William Gamber) and three aviation cadets (John Mortenson, Ernest Glenn Munn, and Leo Mustonen).

Numerous search crews set out into the Sierra Nevada. They scoured the mountains, but, having no indication where the plane had crashed, they were unsuccessful.

Then five years later the wreckage was found at more than 12,000 feet by four University of California students. Both engines were located along with a wheel and part of a wing, all embedded in the glacier ice. The students reported their discovery to the Army and a recovery team was sent up to the site in the fall of 1947, but due to recent snow, no human remains could be located. Searches for the missing crewmen were eventually abandoned.

Then, 57 years later in 2005, two mountain climbers came upon human remains, revealed at last by melting ice on the glacier. The body of the cadet still had on his uniform and unopened parachute. The cadet was eventually identified as Leo A. Mustonen. A second member of the crew, Ernest Glenn Munn, was found in 2007. The bodies of the other two members of the flight have not been located.

Along the Way


1942 Airplane Crash on Mendel Glacier

In November 1942 a U.S. Army Air Corps AT-7 Navigator from Mather Field near Sacramento crashed on the slopes of Mount Mendel, a mile north of Evolution Lake. The training flight carried a pilot (2nd Lt. William Gamber) and three aviation cadets (John Mortenson, Ernest Glenn Munn, and Leo Mustonen).

Numerous search crews set out into the Sierra Nevada. They scoured the mountains, but, having no indication where the plane had crashed, they were unsuccessful.

Then five years later the wreckage was found at more than 12,000 feet by four University of California students. Both engines were located along with a wheel and part of a wing, all embedded in the glacier ice. The students reported their discovery to the Army and a recovery team was sent up to the site in the fall of 1947, but due to recent snow, no human remains could be located. Searches for the missing crewmen were eventually abandoned.

Then, 57 years later in 2005, two mountain climbers came upon human remains, revealed at last by melting ice on the glacier. The body of the cadet still had on his uniform and unopened parachute. The cadet was eventually identified as Leo A. Mustonen. A second member of the crew, Ernest Glenn Munn, was found in 2007. The bodies of the other two members of the flight have not been located.



map of trail from North Lake to South Lake, John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park, CA