7/9/2008.
North Lake to South Lake:
Evolution Basin Via Lamarck Col
 August 2006

On August 20-26, 2006, Lise Buyer, Scott Cook, Patty Kert Dailey, Bill Edwards, Jay Helms, Jeffrey Scott, Katy Travaille, and Ann Waters back packed from the North Lake trailhead (20 miles east of Bishop, California) cross-country over Lamarck col into Darwin Canyon, south through Evolution Basin to Little Pete Meadow on the John Muir Trail, and up through Dusy Basin over Bishop Pass to the South Lake Trailhead..  The 7-day trip was approximately 38 miles, with 8200' of elevation gain and 7700' of elevation loss.

Most images may be clicked to bring up hi-resolution photos.
Route Description
The map shows the route from north to south in yellow (day hike in orange) with camps indicated by red tents.

DAY 1 (Sunday, August 20): Short but steep hike from the North Lake trailhead (9,255') to Upper Lamarck Lake (11,000').  (3 miles)

DAY 2 (Monday, August 21): Cross-country hike over the Sierra crest at Lamarck Col (12,960'), then boulder-hopping down to Darwin Canyon (11,600').  (5 miles)

DAY 3 (Tuesday, August 22): Trek through the glorious, hidden off-trail alpine meadows of Darwin Bench to the John Muir Trail (10,640').  Hike through spectacular Evolution Basin to Wanda Lake (11,452').  Perhaps the must stunning portion of the JMT. (7 miles)

DAY 4 (Wednesday, August 23): Layover day at Wanda Lake, with an optional day hike to the remote, intriguing Ionian Basin.

DAY 5 (Thursday, August 24): Long but very pleasant hike up to Muir Pass (11,955) and down to Little Pete Meadow (8,800').  (9.5 miles)

DAY 6 (Friday, August 25): Leaving the JMT, hike past a beautiful cascade while making the steep ascent to Dusy Basin (11,400').  (6 miles)

DAY 7 (Saturday, August 26): Easy hike over Bishop Pass (11,980') past Long Lake to the South Lake Trailhead (9,768')  (7 miles)
Day 1: North Lake Trailhead to Upper Lamarck Lake
Jay Helms
Day 2: Over Lamarck Col (12,920') Into Darwin Canyon

The permanent show field on the east aproach to Lamarck col.
Jay Helms
Jay Helms at Lamarck Col.		 Patty Kert Dailey and Jay Helms
Patty Kert Dailey and Jay Helms overlooking Darwin Canyon.
Day 3: Darwin Bench and Evolution Basin to Wanda Lake
Lise Buyer, Ann Waters, Patty Kert Dailey,
Lise Buyer, Ann Waters, Patty Kert Dailey,
and Katy Travaille at Darwin Bench.

Looking south from Darwin Bench
to Evolution Valley.
Bill Edwards, Scott Cook and Jeffrey Scott
Bill Edwards, Scott Cook and Jeffrey Scott at Evolution Lake
Patty Kert Dailey.
Patty Kert Dailey.
Day 4: Layover Day At Wanda Lake with Optional Day Hike To the Ionian Basin

Jeffrey Scott and Bill Edwards approaching Wanda Pass
Bill Edwards and Jay Helms at Wanda Pass.

The Ionian Basin from Wanda Pass.
Day 5: Over Muir Pass (11,955') To Little Pete Meadow

Wanda Lake.
Muir Hut at Muir Pass.

Descending south from Muir Pass.
Day 6: Climb To Dusy Basin

Approaching Dusy Basin.
Day 7: Over Bishop Pass (11,980') To the South Lake Trailhead

Looking back at Dusy Basin as we ascend to Bishop Pass on the final day.
Patty Kert Dailey, Lise Buyer, and Ann Waters
Post-hike celebration.		 Scott Cook, Lise Buyer, Patty Kert Dailey, Ann Waters, Bill Edwards, Katy Travaille, Jeffrey Scott, Jay Helms.
Scott Cook, Lise Buyer, Patty Kert Dailey, Ann Waters,
Bill Edwards, Katy Travaille, Jeffrey Scott, Jay Helms.
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