How to Get a Piute Pass (North Lake) Permit
Aspens at the trailhead, an 11,420-foot pass at the top, and Humphreys Basin spread out behind it.
Check Piute Pass (North Lake) permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Permit Cost
2-5 days
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About Piute Pass (North Lake)
Piute Pass at North Lake is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Bishop, climbing the North Fork of Bishop Creek into the John Muir Wilderness and over Piute Pass into Humphreys Basin. Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026, with reservations opening six months in advance at 7 am Pacific and additional permits released two weeks ahead. Outside that window the trailhead is non-quota with a two-week booking window. The permit may continue on the John Muir Trail, and it is one end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop. It does not include Lamarck Lakes, which is a separate reservation from the same road.
Inyo National Forest describes the Piute Pass trail beginning near North Lake and the colorful Piute Crags, starting in pine and quaking aspen and climbing steadily up a glacier carved canyon along the North Fork of Bishop Creek past Loch Leven and Piute Lake. From Piute Pass at 11,420 feet you can explore Humphreys Basin with its high alpine lakes and tarns bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. Humphreys, or descend to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek.
The Experience
The lower canyon in autumn is the best aspen display on the east side. Higher up it is all rock and water, and at the pass the ground simply opens: Humphreys Basin is a mile-wide shelf of tundra and tarns with the Glacier Divide across it.
From North Lake the trail climbs the North Fork of Bishop Creek past Loch Leven and Piute Lake to Piute Pass at 11,420 feet.
Beyond the pass you can wander Humphreys Basin, which is open enough to camp almost anywhere legal, or drop west to Hutchinson Meadow and the John Muir Trail junction at Piute Creek. Inyo confirms a Piute Pass permit may continue on the John Muir Trail.
Inyo also names this as one end of the popular North Lake to South Lake Loop, paired with the Bishop Pass trail. The permit does not include Lamarck Lakes, and there is no parking in the campground - park at North Lake.
What to Expect
A steady climb past Loch Leven and Piute Lake to an 11,420-foot pass
Humphreys Basin beyond the pass, bordered by Glacier Divide and Mt. Humphreys
A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail
One end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop
Parking at North Lake, not in the campground
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Permit Requirements
No campfires from the trailhead to Piute Pass, or above 10,000 feet north of Glacier Divide
Food and refuse must be stored in a container designed to prevent access by bears, or counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet from a tree trunk where containers are not required
No parking in the campground - park at North Lake
Maximum group size is 15
This permit does not include Lamarck Lakes
Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations apply if you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, a group size limit of 8 in Darwin Canyon or Dusy Basin, and a two-night camping limit in Dusy Basin
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- •A stove, since fires are banned from the trailhead to the pass
- •Wind shell for an exposed basin above the pass
- •Water treatment
Hazards & Safety
Storm exposure in Humphreys Basin, which has no shelter at all
Snow on the pass into early summer
Cold nights above 11,000 feet in any month
Bears in the lower canyon
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is the reliable window for the pass and the basin. Late September and early October bring the aspen colour in the lower canyon.
Pro Tips
Park at North Lake early, because the lot is small and fills
Camp in Humphreys Basin rather than at Piute Lake for real solitude
Fires are out from the trailhead to the pass, so carry a stove
This is one end of the North Lake to South Lake Loop, with Bishop Pass at the other
Late September is the aspen window in the lower canyon
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Piute Pass (North Lake) permit?
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Piute Pass (North Lake) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Piute Pass (North Lake)?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is the reliable window for the pass and the basin. Late September and early October bring the aspen colour in the lower canyon.
How difficult is Piute Pass (North Lake)?
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Backpackers who want open alpine country fast, and parties walking the North Lake to South Lake Loop.
What gear do I need for Piute Pass (North Lake)?
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Essential gear includes: A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup, A stove, since fires are banned from the trailhead to the pass, Wind shell for an exposed basin above the pass, Water treatment.
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