Humphreys Basin 2025
French Lake to Humphreys Lakes
Monday, August 18, 2025
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Interesting and challenging day with a lot of terrain covered. Camping right under Mt. Humphreys was a real treat!
Journal Entry: Cold night—36F. Started walking around 8am. Dropped down and then up to get to Steelhead Lake over mostly easy terrain. Went around the lake on the west side and up some talus to Rust Lake. From there, 500 feet up a mix of large and small talus to some slabs near the pass. Our route had some class 3 moves. Downhill side easier and shorter, then over to the chute to Desolation Lake. We cut the corner to Forsaken Lake, then up a fairly easy grass/rock slope to above Humphreys Lakes. Camping right under Mt. Humphreys at one of the smaller lakes, large flat area with small gravel. Got here around 4:30. Almost no clouds today, so we are exposed to sun here at camp as there are no trees and few large rocks. Tomorrow we head down to Piute Pass and then Piute Lake.
 Merriam and Royce Peaks, Pine Creek Pass |
 Steelhead Pass over Steelhead Lake from north shore |
 Steelhead Lake from southwest shore |  Steelhead Lake, nearing climb to Rust Lake |
 Merriam and Royce Peaks over Steelhead Lake |  Steelhead Lake from top of the climb |
 Steelhead Pass over Rust Lake |  Steelhead Pass from the north |
 the large talus of Steelhead Pass |  chipmunk on a rock |
 Rust Lake below |  French Lake, Steelhead Lake, Rust Lake |
 Elba Lake, Moon Lake, L Lake |  Glacier Divide over Desolation Lake and pond |
 Mt. Humphreys |  Steve & Ron on Steelhead Pass |
 Steelhead Pass from the south |  Mt. Humphreys over small creek |
 Glacier Divide over Desolation Lake |  Mt. Humphreys |
 Glacier Divide over Desolation Lake |  Mt. Humphreys over Forsaken Lake |
 Desolation Lake and Forsaken Lake |  Mt. Humphreys over Humphreys Lakes |
 Glacier Divide over largest Humphreys Lake |  at the shore of the largest Humphreys Lake |
 Mt. Humphreys |  Mt. Humphreys and campsite (two tents) |
 Mt. Humphreys alpenglow | |