I had always wanted to visit the lakes in the hanging valleys on the north side of the Glacier Divide that drain into Piute Creek. On September 17, 1983 I drove up to the North Lake parking lot for the night and got an early start up the trail in beautiful weather for a September 18-21, 1983 loop trip.
I was feeling great as I topped the pass and had lunch in the sun. There was a cool breeze on the pass as I headed down cross-country to Golden Trout Lake. Followed the trail past the north side of the lake and crossed the outlet stream with great views of the Humphrey Basin.
Headed for Packsaddle Lake over easy terrain. Got a little higher than necessary so dropped down to the lake. Found a nice campsite at the outlet with a great view.
The next day I continued to contour to the west along the divide. I was headed for Honeymoon Lakes and thought I could go over the ridge. It was a nice hike over to Lobe Lakes. There were some great views along the way. After lunch at Lobe Lakes I headed for Honeymoon.
After a while I found myself high on a ridge overlooking lower Honeymoon Lake with pretty steep rock in between. I checked out several ledge routes and finally decided I would have to backtrack.
After several false starts stopped by cliffs I made my way down below the cliffs and then climbed back up the steep valley side into the Honeymoon Lake basin where I found a nice camp. I took a bath in the creek that night.
Next day I left my camp in place and continued west. I had a pleasant hike up to the top of the next ridge and out to a point overlooking the Piute Creek valley. Great views of French Canyon and Humphrey Basin.
I then dropped down to the upper end of Ramona Lake and then walked down its east shore to a great overlook at its outlet. I then contoured around the end of the ridge and back to camp. A very nice day.
The next day I followed the old horse trail down to Piute Creek, crossed on a convenient log and then headed up the main trail toward Piute Pass. As I reached the pass the clouds were building and it looked like it might storm soon so I headed on over Piute Pass and down to my car.
It was a very enjoyable four day trip. The day after I got home there was a good storm in the mountains so I timed things just right. This is a very pretty area.
![Glacier Divide Lakes Map Glacier Divide Lakes Map](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_glacier_divide_lakes_loop_map_routew940hq.jpg)
The RED line is the APPROXIMATE route of my travels
![Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right) over Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983 Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right) over Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0001_0002piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop_stitchbcsw940hq.jpg)
Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right) over Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983
![Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983 Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0004piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983
![Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983 Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0003piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Pilot Knob over outlet of Lower Golden Trout Lake - 1983
![Pack Saddle Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983 Pack Saddle Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0005piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Pack Saddle Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983
![Morning at Packsaddle Lake outlet ponds, Pilot Knob (left) - 1983 Morning at Packsaddle Lake outlet ponds, Pilot Knob (left) - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0006piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Morning at Packsaddle Lake outlet ponds, Pilot Knob (left) - 1983
![Packsaddle Lake outlet stream, Mt. Humphreys - 1983 Packsaddle Lake outlet stream, Mt. Humphreys - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0008piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Packsaddle Lake outlet stream, Mt. Humphreys - 1983
![Lobe Lakes - 1983 Lobe Lakes - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0009piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lobe Lakes - 1983
![Lower Lobe Lake, Piute Canyon below Pilot Knob - 1983 Lower Lobe Lake, Piute Canyon below Pilot Knob - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0011piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lower Lobe Lake, Piute Canyon below Pilot Knob - 1983
![Lower Lobe Lake, Pilot Knob - 1983 Lower Lobe Lake, Pilot Knob - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0010piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lower Lobe Lake, Pilot Knob - 1983
![Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983 Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0012piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983
![Mt. Humphreys, Lower Lobe Lake - 1983 Mt. Humphreys, Lower Lobe Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0014piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Mt. Humphreys, Lower Lobe Lake - 1983
![Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983 Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0013piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Mt. Humphreys from outlet of Upper Lobe Lake - 1983
![Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983 Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0015piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983
![Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983 Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0016piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lobe Lakes, Glacier Divide - 1983
![Lobe Lakes, Pilot Knob - 1983 Lobe Lakes, Pilot Knob - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0017piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lobe Lakes, Pilot Knob - 1983
![Lower Honeymoon Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983 Lower Honeymoon Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0019piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lower Honeymoon Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983
Most of the following "high" pictures were taken from the ridge between the Honeymoon Lakes and Ramona Lake.
![Pilot Knob, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Emerson, Piute Pass and Piute Canyon - 1983 Pilot Knob, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Emerson, Piute Pass and Piute Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0021_0022piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop_stitchbcsw940hq.jpg)
Pilot Knob, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Emerson, Piute Pass and Piute Canyon - 1983
![Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983 Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0020piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Mt. Humphreys (left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983
![Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon, Pilot Knob - 1983 Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon, Pilot Knob - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0023piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon, Pilot Knob - 1983
![The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain - 1983 The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0024piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain - 1983
![Glacier Divide - 1983 Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0025piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Glacier Divide - 1983
![Ramona Lake - 1983 Ramona Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0026piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Ramona Lake - 1983
![Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983 Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0027piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Merriam Peak, Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983
![Four Gables (left rear), Mt. Humphreys (center left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983 Four Gables (left rear), Mt. Humphreys (center left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0029_0031piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop_stitchbcsw940hq.jpg)
Four Gables (left rear), Mt. Humphreys (center left), Mt. Emerson and Piute Pass (right), Piute Canyon - 1983
![The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek - 1983 The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0028piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek - 1983
![Glacier Divide looking along ridge between Honeymoon Lakes and Ramona Lake - 1983 Glacier Divide looking along ridge between Honeymoon Lakes and Ramona Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0032piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
![Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983 Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0033piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Royce Peak, French Canyon - 1983
![Ramona Lake - 1983 Ramona Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0034piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Ramona Lake - 1983
![Glacier Divide, Upper Honeymoor Lake - 1983 Glacier Divide, Upper Honeymoor Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0035piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Glacier Divide, Upper Honeymoor Lake - 1983
![Lower Honeymoon Lake, Piute Canyon, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Gemini, Piute Pass - 1983 Lower Honeymoon Lake, Piute Canyon, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Gemini, Piute Pass - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0038piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lower Honeymoon Lake, Piute Canyon, Mt. Humphreys, Mt. Gemini, Piute Pass - 1983
![Ramona Lake - 1983 Ramona Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0039piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Ramona Lake - 1983
![Ramona Lake - 1983 Ramona Lake - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0040piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Ramona Lake - 1983
![Ramona Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983 Ramona Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0041piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Ramona Lake, Glacier Divide - 1983
![The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek Falls - 1983 The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek Falls - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0046piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
The Pinnacles ridge, Gemini mountain, East Pinnacle Creek Falls - 1983
![Merriam Peak, Royce Peak over French Canyon - 1983 Merriam Peak, Royce Peak over French Canyon - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0047piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Merriam Peak, Royce Peak over French Canyon - 1983
![Lower Honeymoon Lake, Mt. Humphreys - 1983 Lower Honeymoon Lake, Mt. Humphreys - 1983](snf16_piute_pass_glacier_divide_loop/snf16_0048piute_pass_glacier_divide_loopbcsw450hq.jpg)
Lower Honeymoon Lake, Mt. Humphreys - 1983