Evolution Valley via Florence Lake
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About this place
Evolution Valley via Florence Lake offers up multiple nights in the High Sierra as the trail follows the South Fork of the San Joaquin. With high sierra meadows and valleys, it's really incredible.
You can get to the Evolution Basin a variety of ways, but the easiest is through the Florence Lake Trailhead. Here, you can choose to either take the Florence Lake Ferry across the lake, or save $25 and hike the extra 4 miles around the lake. Personally, I would choose the ferry.
About five miles from the lake is Muir Trail Ranch. This is a place where many PCT and JMT through hikers stop for a warm meal and comfortable nights rest.
The actual hike to Evolution Valley is beautiful. It follows the south fork of the San Joaquin and Evolution Creek nearly all the way. Depending on your fitness level, you can get to the valley in a day, and choose to go farther to Evolution Lake. Roundtrip mileage to the McClure Meadow Ranger Station from the south end of Florence Lake is about 30 miles and 3200 feet of elevation gain.
Leave No Trace
