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| Produced by Back Country Enthusiasts for Back Country Enthusiasts
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Pine Creek Trail (including Gable Lakes) Heading NW on U.S. 395 from Bishop, turn left on Pine Creek road and drive 10 miles to the trailhead parking near the pack station. Begin at the trailhead sign, walking on the unpaved road past the pack station. The trail ascends moderately from the pack station through a forest of Jeffery Pine, Juniper, Red Fir, Aspen and Birch trees. Be sure to get an early start on this hike, as you will lose the shade of these trees soon. The trail merges with an old mining road on a steep but well graded slope. The buildings across the way are of the busy Tungsten Mine. The road ends just above the old Brownstone Mine and turns once again into a trail which ascends talus and scree with short, steep switchbacks. Cross a small creek at 3 ½ miles, reaching a sign for the John Muir Wilderness shortly after. Reach the banks of Pine Creek at just over 4 miles. Continue along beside the creek until reaching a fork in the trail, keep to the right for a log crossing at the waters edge. The shores of Pine Lake are reached at about 4 ½ miles. The trail to Upper Pine Lake continues along the NW shore of Pine Lake and ascends to the west side of the upper lake. The trail then ascends moderately to the Pine Creek / Italy Pass trail junction. Take the right fork towards Italy Pass and continue west to Honeymoon Lake. To reach Italy Lake, continue on the trail past Honeymoon Lake to Lake Italy Pass, where it then descends steeply into the Jumble Lake Basin. It follows the north slope of the lake, then drops into the Italy Lake Basin. The trail to Moon Lake follows the left fork of the Pine Creek Pass / Italy Pass junction, towards Pine Creek Pass. Before reaching Pine Creek Pass, the trail climbs above timberline, leaving the Lodgepole Pines behind. From the pass, descend to French Canyon and meet up with the signed trail branching left to Elba and Moon Lakes. The trail ascends steeply to Elba Lake, and then on to Moon Lake. The right fork of the junction in French Canyon will take you to Hutchinson Meadows and Piute Pass in Bishop Creek Canyon. John Muir Wildernes - Topo Mono Divide High Country - 15 minute - Topo Mt. Tom - 15 minute quad - Topo Mt. Tom - 7.5 minute quad - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute Use the same trailhead parking area as for Pine Creek trail. Walk uphill through the remains of an old mining operation to find the trail. This lightly used, rocky, steep, exposed trail leads up to several Gable Lakes. The area is rich in mining history, but remember, the Antiquities Act protects all artifacts on federal lands from being removed. Pack stock often use trails in the Pine Creek area. Please remember that stock have the right of way on all trails. Stand quietly off trail until all stock have passed to avoid spooking the animals.
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