This is a backpack trip I did with my brother Christian and my cousins Mike and Dan.  It was somewhat of a followup of our 12 day trip last year along the John Muir Trail (JMT), crossing some of our favorite spots again, but covering lots of new ground, and trying out some cross country.  We spent 8 days out in the moutains and got a little more of an adventure than last years trip on the JMT.

  Day 1 - North Lake to Humphrey's Basin via Piute Pass:  We got our packs read to go and drove to South Lake to drop of Mike's Car, and then headed over to the trailhead at North Lake.  A little of a late start, we were on the trail at 10:20.  Packs weighing in around 60-65 lbs, sunny and very warm, sweating it out on the way up Piute Pass, made the pass at 1:40, 45 minute lunch break, down into Humphrey's Basin to find a nice camp by Piute Creek.  A little buggy, but not too bad. ~9.25 miles, 2100' of climbing, 6 hrs hiking,

  Day 2 - Humphrey's Basin to the base of Goddard Canyon:  After a warm night (mid 50's?) at 10,400', we got up around 7am and were on the trail around 9:15, a little of a slow start, getting into the routine or breaking down camp and getting moving.  Clear skies and warm again.  Upper Piute Canyon is very nice, breaked for lunch near the JMT junction at the bottom of Piute Canyon.  After a 45 minute lunch, we headed up the JMT and then turned off onto the Goddard Canyon trail.  We made camp about a mile up the trail in a "cozy" spot by the river.  13.75 miles, 1000' of climbing, 7 hrs hiking.

  Day 3 - Base of Goddard Canyon to Martha Lake: A little earlier start, on the trail at 8:40 am, some gray clouds around early in the morning.  Proceeded up Goddard Canyon without seeing anyone.  Higher in the canyon the scenery got better, the river flowed in a steep walled channel, several nice, though small, waterfalls.  Took a break for lunch around 12:30 near the top of the canyon in a nice alpine meadow.  Rain was threatening, so found shelter and set up camp between two creeks, a little below Martha Lake where there were some trees and still a nice view.  Took a short walk up to Martha Lake to check out the route for tomorrow's hike into the Ionian Basin, didn't look too bad.  Returned to camp, 2 hrs of light rain before dinnre, then a little more after, a few cracks of thunder.  ~7.5 miles, ~2000' of climbing, 4 hours hiking

  Day 4 - Martha Lake to Lake 11,592 in Ionian Basin: This day started off like any other... on the move around 8:40 am, no more trails to follow, some cloud cover present.  Hiked up Goddard Creek Pass (12,240') to the lake (12,220') beneath Mt Goddard in about 2 hours.  Clouds thickening, but not yet a threat.  Looked at routes up Mt. Goddard, east talus slopes looked easy, but a walk to get to, southwest chute looked pretty steep, though ridge above not as bad.  Estimated summit was a 3 hour round trip, decided to axe the attempt since much exposed ground was to be covered and a storm might be building.  Descended to Lake 11, 818' through a little more steep and rugged terrain than anticipated, crossed the isthmus by a little after 12 (actually two lakes differing in elevation by several feet).  To our surprise, saw a solo hiker, camped on the ridge NW of this lake.  No rain by us, but started to see lightning on Mt Goddard, glad we did not go for the summit.  Decided to skip lunch and try to cover as much ground as possible before the storm hit.  Easy hike up to the pass on the way to lake 11,837'.  Arrived at edge of lake 11,837' to find there were 40' or larger cliffs around much of the lake.  Found a small snow slope to climb down on the northwest edge and proceeded around the north side of the lake.  It began to rain and hail alternately, and then came lightning and thunder.  Quickly descended to lake 11,537' where we decided there was enough shelter from lightning and set up camp.  Cold and wet (waterproof and breathable rain jacket failed me!), changed and hopped into sleeping bags to warm up and wait out the storm.  A little of an intense storm for a few hours, thunder and lighning ending around 4, rain a half hour later.  Storm cleared slowly to a very peaceful evening with good clear views and nice clouds.  Took a walk to see the route to Chasm Lake, our original destination, and catch some views down the enchanted gorge.  ~4.5 miles crosscountry, 2000' climbing, 5:20 hiking.

Continued on North Lake to South Lake - July 07 (2)