Laura Manina, my sister and fellow backpacker, shares her experiences and tips on backpacking a 57-mile loop to the Evolution Valley. Many thanks to her for this great post and pictures! You can learn more about her travels with her husband, Mitch, on CruisingSailors.com. ~

Flowers and Peaks

Evolution Valley. First, it was a suggestion, and then it was an item on my Someday List. Now I can say, “beeen there” in a sing-song tone suggesting my best time ever in the land of granite. And it was! The best time ever, I mean. Having driven by this part of the Sierras countless times on Hwy 395, gazing at that saw-toothed range, I always wanted to be the Norman Clyde, the John Muir, the Clarence King who had the privilege of a first ascent or true solitary immersion. Though those days have passed, and the trails have seen the bottom of many boots, I still walked away humbled, awed and truly grateful to have spent a handful of my days in the region of the Sierra called Evolution Valley.

The route my two amigas and I traveled lies in the trio of Kings Canyon National Park, Inyo National Forest and Sierra National Forest. Only a portion of our journey would actually be in Evolution, but the areas we passed through to reach and retreat from our intended destination were just as amazing.

My first suggestion is if you have seven days to make this trip, your body and spirit will thank you. Loitering encouraged! We took four full, plus two half days, to hike the 57-mile route starting at South Lake and ending at North Lake, so 10-12 miles each day was the score. It was a fine pace, but sometimes I just wanted the extra time to really settle into the vistas. Some hike this route from the other direction, north to south. When I walk through this area again, perhaps I will do the same so I can see it from another perspective. I have to say, however, that descending into Le Conte Canyon from Dusy Basin, and not the other way around, seemed like the more fortunate direction for my legs and backside. Ouch!

Day 1:  The first day held an unexpected bonus in that, inadvertently, it turned out to be Get-used-to-less-oxygen Day. By trying to further lighten our loads over and over again, we hit the trail far later than expected, so by necessity had to pitch our tents after only four miles at Saddlerock Lake (11,128 feet). What seemed like an irritating setback at the time, ended up giving us a chance to acclimate a bit before hauling ourselves, and 40 unaccustomed pounds, over Bishop Pass. We found several amazing campsites just off the east side of the trail that held us warm and protected from the wind. [Read more...]