Evolution Valley Loop – question about route

I've not tried it, but the west side of Sabrina after you cross that notch is pretty steep, and would make for some slow going. If I was set on walking it as opposed to hitching from N Lake to S Lake, I would do the following, which does require some road walking but it is fairly minimal:

– walk the N Lake road to Hwy 168 (part dirt, part paved, usually minimal traffic except on weekends).

– walk up Hwy 168 to the Sabrina trailhead (paved 2 lane road with light traffic except on weekends).

– Hike the Sabrina trail to the George Lake intersection, turn for George. The trail up to George lake is steep decomposed granite, but easily done. From near the middle of George Lake, and shortly after passing the pond just north of George, there is a use trail that ascends to the Table Mountain bench. It is well used and the last time I was up (Aug 2013) there were numerous cairns along the use trail. After crossing Table Mountain, drop to the second highest of the Tyee Lakes. Again, a well traveled use trail will guide you down the watershed canyon.

– Hike the regular Tyee Lakes trail to its trailhead on the South Lake road. From there it's not far to the South Lake trailhead on a 2 lane road.

PM me and I can send you a Google Track of the route between Sabrina and the Tyee Lakes trailhead.

I am very confused, James… are you saying that you will enter at Florence Lake and exit at South Lake? If so, there is no road walking involved — it's all trail.

From Florence Lake, you'll head along the river, climb up to Evolution, go over John Muir Pass, descend into LeConte Canyon, and then head up to Dusy Basin, go over Bishop Pass, and descend to South Lake. All on well-marked, well-used trails…

Once you get to South Lake, you'll have to hitchhike to Bishop…but that's highway (I can't imagine anyone walking that).

If I'm misunderstanding where you want to go, please disregard! :^)

"are you saying that you will enter at Florence Lake and exit at South Lake?"

He stated that he would enter and exit at Muir Trail Ranch (Florence Lake).

–B.G.–

Thanks Bob, the first topo I was looking at did not show the trail from Lake Sabrina to Tyee Lakes passing George Lake, much better way to go. Should have known to get my Tom Harrison map out before I started planning!

Yes we will enter and exit Florence Lake/Muir Ranch, making a loop from west to east and back. Side excursions into Darwin Canyon and possibly into McGee Canyon are anticipated.

As I recall from a few years back, from South Lake to the Tyee trail is ~2.4 mi of road and reasonably pleasant as far as road walking goes and slightly uphill going towards South Lake. I think you'd have a decent shot at getting a ride from a fisherman or someone.

From 168 to the North Lake Trail head is a bit longer, maybe 2.8 mi, and gravel road. There is some trail north of the road along the part nearest North Lake (fishing trails along the lake edge). It's downhill from North Lake to 168. In my experience, the few folks driving by in this area tend to be more apt than most to give a hiker a lift if you want to try to thumb the road portions.

So worst case, ~5 mi of road walking.