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Piute Pass to Humphreys Basin

Inyo · Managed by Inyo National Forest (USFS) · Region: Inyo National Forest
Difficulty 20/100 · Moderateout and back#eastern-sierra#granite-basin#mount-humphreys#cross-country
Distance
7 mi
Total gain
2,000 ft
Net gain
0 ft
Net loss
0 ft
Elevation
9,383–11,237 ft
Days
2–3
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Piute Pass is Bishop's granite doorway: 3.5 miles to Lock Leven's camp and 2,000 feet of climbing over the 11,400-foot pass into Humphreys Basin — a sprawling granite wonderland of lakes beneath Mount Humphreys. The shortest route to the JMT corridor from the east side.

Highlights

  • Humphreys Basin's lake-dotted granite beneath the 13,986-foot peak
  • Lock Leven's forested first camp at 3.5 miles
  • Direct access to the JMT, Evolution Valley, and the Piute Canyon country
  • Cross-country roaming across the basin's polished slabs

How hard is Piute Pass to Humphreys Basin?

CaliPeaks rates this route 20/100 (Moderate). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 2,000 ft puts this trip at 17% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 7 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 11,237 ft; route technicality 10% (mix of trail and off-trail travel); and trip length 10% at 3 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: North Lake Trailhead (9,383 ft) · parking: End of North Lake Road, west of Bishop
  • Water: Piute Creek and the basin's lakes; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Bishop is 45 minutes away.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Inyo National Forest (USFS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the North Lake entry applies during quota season.
  • Reservation window: 60% of quota released six months out, 40% two weeks out, at 7 a.m. PT.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed in existing rings unless current Inyo NF fire restrictions are in effect. A California Campfire Permit is required for stoves and fires. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Piute Pass clears by early July in most years.

Heat: Cool in the high basin.

Bugs: Mosquitoes in the basin through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The pass holds snow into July in wet years
  • Camp at least 100 feet from water
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Wilderness Trail Descriptions — Inyo National Forest. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/traildesc.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Piute Pass description: begins at North Lake, permits from the White Mountain Ranger Station, first campsite Lock Leven (3.5 miles), access to Evolution Valley and Humphreys Basin.
  3. Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits. Recreation.gov / U.S. Forest Service. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262. Accessed 2026-09-07. Year-round permit requirement, quota release schedule, and food-storage rules.
  4. Inyo National Forest alerts and fire restrictions. U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions-effect. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Current Stage 1 fire restrictions affecting campfires and stoves.