Piute Canyon Trail

Overview

This trail starts at the end of the Piute Pass Trail and finishes at the John Muir Trail, just above the confluence of Piute Creek with the San Joaquin River. <br><br>As the trail leaves Piute Pass, it drops down into Humphreys Basin, which is a vast, expansive basin that allows for great views in almost all directions of the features that surround Piute Canyon. Not far from the pass, one can see down to Summit Lake, a beautiful alpine lake, and several other smaller lakes can also be seen. About a mile from the pass and after a couple of small stream crossings, one can get great views of Mount Humphreys, a beautifully colored, rugged peak to the northeast. One can also see the upper reaches of the Goethe Cirque, with Muriel Peak, Mount Goethe, and other parts of the Glacier Divide from this point, which are truly spectacular. <br><br>After passing these viewpoints, the trail continues and passes (not very closely) by Upper and Lower Golden Trout Lake, which are some other pretty alpine lakes, and then leaves the exposed high country as it descends into the forested part of Piute Canyon. The trail at this point also starts to get closer to Piute Creek, a vibrant mountain stream (that might be considered a river if it were in other parts of the country). Eventually, the trail passes by a turnoff (to the south) to the Honeymoon Lakes, which are a couple of high alpine lakes that apparently have good camping nearby them, and are far removed from the trail. <br><br>Not long after this, the trail reaches Hutchinson Meadow, where French Canyon meets up with Piute Canyon. To get through this meadow, the trail crosses a braided stream several times, although none of the crossings are very difficult or deep, and most of them have some sort of bridge or rocks to keep your feet dry while crossing. <br><br>After passing through Hutchinson Meadow, the trail continues to descend with Piute Creek and eventually breaks out of the forest again as the steep, rocky canyon walls come closer together and leave little room or good s

Trail Stats

Photos

Taking a break.

Taking a break.

A view of Muriel Peak and Mount Goethe from Humphrey's Basin.

A view of Muriel Peak and Mount Goethe from Humphrey's Basin.

A great, granite dome as seen from the Piute Canyon Trail.

A great, granite dome as seen from the Piute Canyon Trail.

A view of a large unbroken section of the Glacier Divide above the Matthes Glaciers.

A view of a large unbroken section of the Glacier Divide above the Matthes Glaciers.

A pretty little cascade near the Piute Canyon Trail.

A pretty little cascade near the Piute Canyon Trail.

A view of the gorgeous Humphreys Basin.

A view of the gorgeous Humphreys Basin.

The spectacular Mount Humphreys, as seen from Humphreys Basin, with its dichotomy of colors.

The spectacular Mount Humphreys, as seen from Humphreys Basin, with its dichotomy of colors.

Piute Creek with Pilot Knob in the background.

Piute Creek with Pilot Knob in the background.

A gorgeous cascade along Piute Creek.

A gorgeous cascade along Piute Creek.

Piute Canyon Trail.

Piute Canyon Trail.

A view across Piute Canyon. The canyon that holds the South Fork of the San Joaquin River can be seen going off to the right.

A view across Piute Canyon. The canyon that holds the South Fork of the San Joaquin River can be seen going off to the right.

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