Piute Pass hike Sep 9, 2017

Piute pass trail starts at North Lake which is off a side road to Lake Sabrina. 11 miles RT and 2000 ft gain. Max elevation 11,400 ft. The trail starts out in forest and climbs to a lake filled valley before reaching the pass. The pass has a view into Humphres basin.

Moon over the ridge as we started. The north lake trailhead parking requires about a half mile of road walking before reaching the actual trailhead, where there is no parking unless you have a campsite there.

  Second foot log. The first foot log was a dangerous one. High, sloped, and not round. It caused one member of the party to try to rock hop across but the rocks were slippery and caused a fall into the water.

  Mountain Pride Penstemon. One of 4 or 5 kinds of penstemon in the sierras.

 First view of the pass.

 Paintbrush and Shooting star

  Shooting star

Sargents Campion

 closer view of the pass

 Just below the pass

 Looking back. First lake would be Piute lake, then Loch Leven.

 On top, 11,400 ft elevation.

 Proof of elevation

Looking into Humphres basin

Going back down

Piute Crags