Lamarck to Lake Italy Loop

This loop is a 62-mile backpacking route in the Sierra Nevada. Depending on the hiker, this route can take anywhere from 3-6 days. As with most backpacking loops, it can be approached from either direction. Taking Piute Pass first (counterclockwise) provides a somewhat more gentle introduction to the route, whereas taking Lamarck Col first (clockwise) is a bit more difficult in terms of steepness and route-finding (on the west side of the col). This description will briefly describe the loop in a clockwise direction. 

The trail to Lamarck Col (following signs to Lamarck Lakes from the parking lot), is a sharp, direct climb to get into the heart of the High Sierra. The col is the high point of our route, near 12,800ft. As it descends from the col, the route becomes a follow-your-own adventure, boulder-hopping to meet the lakes in Darwin Canyon. There is excellent camping on Darwin Bench, before the route drops further into Evolution Valley to meet the Pacific Crest Trail and Evolution Creek. We’ll follow the PCT for a total of around 18 miles, crossing Selden Pass and Marie Lake before taking the junction onto the Lake Italy Trail. This follows Hilgard Branch toward Mt. Hilgard and, after 10.3 miles, reaches the aptly-named Lake Italy. As of the summer of 2024, the trail in this section was difficult to find and a large block of snow made traversing the south shore of the lake difficult. In his essential Sierra guidebook, Secor was not quite impressed with this lake, but attractiveness is subjective, and many hikers will find beauty here. The route climbs up to Italy Pass before descending through Granite Park to meet Pine Creek Pass Trail. We then cross Pine Creek Pass and drop into French Canyon, which will take us all the way to the junction with Piute Canyon Trail at Hutchinson Meadow. This trail follows Piute Creek to the Golden Trout Lakes near Humphrey’s Basin and Piute Pass, before descending along Bishop Creek to the trailhead at North Lake.

Hikers will pass through the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest and enter Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Wilderness permits are required for backcountry camping, which can be found at www.recreation.gov. For more information regarding advisories, weather, road conditions, campgrounds and more, check out the Inyo National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo, and the Sequoia-Kings Canyon website at https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. Practice the principles of leave no trace, and take action to defend threatened wilderness areas (wildernesswatch.org).