Sierra backpacking: Hiking North Lake to South Lake via Lamarck Col

Eastern Sierra: Six days backpacking trip on the North Lake to South Lake route via Lamarck Col
John Muir Wilderness - Inyo National Forest & Kings Canyon National Park. Bishop, California. Sierra Nevada.
Trailhead: North Lake
July 8-13, 2022
Itinerary:
Day 1: Parked at South Lake trailhead. Took the Eastern Sierra Transit Shuttle to Sabrina basin / North Lake road. Hiked from the N Lake Rd from the 168 junction to the North Lake - Lamarck Lakes trailhead. Then we hiked to the Upper Lamarck Lake for the first night camp. Approx. 7 mi, 2300 ft elevation gain.
Day 2: Lamarck Lakes to Lamarck Col, descent into Darwin Canyon and the Darwin Bench. Camp at the Darwin Bench Lake. Approx. 7 mi, 2300 ft elevation gain.
Day 3: Descent into the Evolution Valley to Evolution Lake, stop at the Evolution Creek water slide, then up the Evolution Basin by Evolution Lake, Sapphire Lake and Wanda Lake. Camp at Wanda Lake. Approx. 7 mi, 1000 ft elevation gain.
Day 4: Ascent to Muir Pass and stop at the the Muir Hut. Descent to Helen Lake and the Middle Fork of the Kings River into Le Conte Canyon. Camp at the Le Conte Canyon Ranger Station. Approx 9 mi, 500 ft elevation gain.
Day 5: Ascent to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Cross country section in Dusy Basin. Camp at the Dusy Basin Lakes (11352 ft). Approx. 8 mi, 2800 ft elevation gain.
Day 6: Ascent to Bishop Pass from Dusy Basin. Bishop Pass Trail to the South Lake Trailhead. Approx. 7 mi, 700 ft elevation gain.
The North Lake to South Lake route is certainly among the most spectacular backpacking trips in the Lower 48. It is a world class backpacking route with an incredibly high ratio of "Alpine beauty" per mile. For this reason, we took it easy - a very comfortable six days backpacking trip to fully enjoy it with no rush.
We chose to do it through the alternative Lamarck Lakes / Lamarck Col route vs. the classic route via Piute Pass, Humphrey Basin and the Piute Canyon trail. The alternative Lamarck Col route is a bit more challenging but shorter. It entails the long climb to Lamarck Col but it brings you through the spectacular hike down Darwin Canyon and the Darwin Bench. This alternative route can be certainly done in 4-5 days. I did not feel the trip presented any challenging section.
The North Lake to South Lake route is very popular (rightly so), particularly along the JMT and PCT trails section. There are no issues to find good camping spots, but it is almost impossible to find solitude.
We cannot really point out any highlights for this trip because practically the entire route is exceptionally beautiful almost from beginning to end. I think the video images speak for themselves.
I would hike this route again and again and again.
Music:
Black Kite by Dast Follows
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.

[@geomarysherman]

beautiful images of a beautiful place. Thank you for posting.

[@TrailsOfWander]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Brings back lots of memories. Did a very similar trip in 1982.

[@TrailsOfWander]

North Lake to South Lake is among the very best backpacking in the lower 48! Yes, beautiful memories.

[@DanEliades]

Made the same hike 35 years ago. Wanda and Helen lakes are named after John Muir s daughters. Finished over Bishop Pass down to South Lake. 😮

[@TrailsOfWander]

North Lake to South Lake is absolutely fantastic. The highest beauty per mile you can get! Loved it! Thanks for your comment.

[@YongsungKim]

All your videos are so beautiful.

[@TrailsOfWander]

Thank you very much Yongsung! (We still think they are not as cool as yours 😅 ) You have been an inspiration for us for so many years to go out and hike and make those videos. You made our day. Looking forward to your next one!

[@YongsungKim]

@@TrailsOfWander I didn't know that you followed my channel. You made my day too.

[@TrailsOfWander]

Your channel has been at the top of our list for years. We love your content and style/format. It would be great to meet you on the trails some day, Gabriel

[@ervinslens]

Excellent video and great ambiance.

[@TrailsOfWander]

Glad you liked it! Tx

[@TheSwissHiker]

Wow. The landscape is amazing! Very nice video. Like is given. Greetings from Switzerland, Benjamin

[@TrailsOfWander]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@zzww9483]

Nice trip! Must be great to slow down and enjoy. Where did you camp in upper Lamarck lake? Heard there aren't too many campsites there.

[@TrailsOfWander]

Yes upper Lamarck Lake is not the greatest for camping. There are two or three established campsites just off the trail after crossing the lake outlet. But from there we climbed up through a small drainage on the side of the lake for a few 100s feet and we found several campsites up there. They are not great and there is no direct view of the lake but they are certainly decent. The view of the lake is only a short walk away from them and there is a short and steep use trail down to the lake as well.