JMT Access – Pine Creek TH vs North Lake TH

[Hikin’ Jim]

Please let us know how it goes. Photos always welcome. :)

HJ

[Ken Helwig]

David, what is the date that you are starting? I will be passing the junction of Piute Pass trail and the JMT on Sunday July 31st

[David Lutz]

Ken – We are starting at North Lake on Aug 6……..

[Ken Helwig]

oh well looks like I will be a few days ahead of you. You mentioned camping on Darwin Bench. Take the use trail up and follow for a half mile to a mile, there is an amazing spot to camp that overlooks everything. The way you know that you are at the correct campsite is that there is a thin 10 foot rock right next to it. Once you see it you will know that is the correct site

[David Lutz]

Hey Ken – I followed your summer itinerary on the map last night, looks like a great trip.

Thanks for the tip about Darwin. I looked at that last night on the map and I don't think Greg will want to sleep that high.

We'll see, maybe we'll day trip it up there.

[Linda Alvarez]

Sounds like you have your trip already dialed but I wanted to second the advice to camp the first night at the North Lake trailhead. Decent campsites there, and there is long term parking near the pack station. I don't handle altitude well either but did fine on a trek out Piute Pass last year. Best practices for me is to make sure my campsites don't gain more than 1500 ft per night. (going higher than that as in over a pass during the prior day is OK, and seems to actually help me with altitude, but I try to make sure where I sleep is within 1500 of my previous night). While Piute Pass is over 11,000, I think you can reach a lower altitude first night camp if you continue on down into the valley toward the JMT (tho I have to look at map again). Of course you know to keep him hydrated and if all else fails… descend until he feels better.

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