Anybody planning to spend a night in the backcountry of Sequoia National Park is required to obtain a permit. The High Sierra Trail is located within California’s Sequoia National Park and extends 72.2 scenic miles, providing the only connection between the eastern and western sections of the park. Whitney in the East and finally ending at Whitney Portal just outside of Lone Pine, CA. The High Sierra Trail (HST) starts in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI), travels east and eventually meets up with the John Muir Trail (JMT). Early season can be dangerous dangerous because of snow and river crossings (which are fed by snowmelt and can make even a normally small creek dangerous to cross). It was wonderful! The trail starts at Crescent Meadow, near Visalia, California, crosses over the Great Western Divide, goes up Kern Canyon, then joins up with the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail at Wallace Creek. Whitney summit, attempt. From this point on, the High Sierra Trail, John Muir Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail all share the same path. Proper planning and, at least, a moderate level of fitness will give you the best chance for an enjoyable adventure. The High Sierra is the high heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which runs south-to-north through much of the length of central and northern California. This final section of trail includes over 11,000 feet of elevation change, so make sure you are ready for the challenge! Those 6 days in some of the most remote parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park blew me away with everything the Sierra has to offer - snow capped mountain ranges, sheer exposed drop offs and peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, and lush grassy meadows. Distance: 72 miles Total Elevation Gain: around 19,000ft A dip in these, naturally, warm waters is sure to replenish your spirits, and your body, for the push to Mt. Whitney, but getting to Whitney Portal makes the total hike length 72.2 miles. Merino-wool base layer top – chest zip for ventilation a big plus! On Sept 3 - 8, I hiked solo from Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. The trail will pass Bearpaw meadows, a popular choice for camp on night one, before continuing the push upward. This topic has 1 reply, 1 voice, and was last updated 4 years ago by Jeff Hester. The linear, traversing nature of the High Sierra Trail creates, only, two main trailheads with which future thru-hikers need to familiarize. Sierra High Route July 2008 A rugged 195-mile hike with over 100 miles of off-trail travel, through both idyllic sub-alpine forest and tedious talus fields. On Sept 3 - 8, I hiked solo from Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. Most will agree that the addition of another scenic, alpine lake is well worth the nominal, mileage addition (approx. For those particularly concerned, carry bear spray for extra protection. Conceived by climber Steve Roper in 1977 and first published in his book Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country, the SHR is a classic mountain journey similar to the John Muir Trail (JMT), but with a huge difference: It touches trails only grudgingly, and it rarely dips below 10,000 feet. Proper use of the ‘bear boxes’, located at the listed campsites above, has greatly reduced these encounters. There is potential to encounter snow throughout the year, so be sure to study the latest weather patterns, and trail conditions, in the weeks leading up to your hike. Sierra Trails, picturesque, challenging, and often unseen be the millions of visitors to the Sierra each year. Whitney summit trail. Difficult. How about a few tips and tidbits to help keep you safe when you finally decide to give solo hiking a try: Be realistic about … From Giant Forest to Whitney Portal it took me 4.5 days. Whitney is over 14,500ft. Stretching approximately 195 miles (314 km) north to south through the Sierra Nevada, it is a largely off-trail affair that stays between 9,000 ft (2,743 m) and 12,000 ft (3658 m) for most of its rugged course. Whitney is over 14,500ft. Although there are a few other options for accessing the HST via additional trail networks, they are seldom used by those wishing to experience the classic traverse of the Sierras. The High Sierra Trail has two great ascents – the first one over Kaweah Gap and the Great Western Divide, and the second over the Eastern Sierra and Trail Crest at Mt. The final 22.2 miles, including a summit push of Mt. They are searching in the wrong place because I simply refuse to believe that the obvious route — up THERE and over THAT — is the route we will actually have to climb. While an experienced backpacker will notice infinite options along the trail, staying at the designated sites helps to reduce impact. The existence of the High Sierra Trail is the direct result of a, rather significant, expansion of Sequoia National Park in 1926, nearly tripling its, previously protected, acreage. Whether you day hike or backpack, you’ll find detailed trail descriptions of top destinations from veteran guidebook author John Soares. 16:50. My friend and I did High Sierra Trail to Kaweah Gap Last October and it was one of the most beautiful and exhilarating hiking and camping trips that I’ve ever done. A commitment to doing so without the use of roads, combined with the focused attention of numerous trail crews, engineers, and the Civilian Conservation Corps resulted in the opening of the High Sierra Trail in 1932. Has anyone done the High Sierra Trail in Sequoia National park solo? It’s not nearly as crowded as the John Muir Trail, but it offers the same jaw-dropping (and leg-busting) mountains. From the foothills of Auburn State Recreation Area to the high peaks of Desolation Wilderness, you’re sure to find information for your next day hiking or backpacking trip. High Sierra Trail hike. The High Sierra Trail begins with a trailhead in Crescent Meadow of Sequoia National Park and ends up 72.2 miles later at Whitney Portal. Upon arriving at your concluding trailhead, you drive their car, and they yours, to a, predetermined, meetup spot that saves you both a considerable amount of time & driving. In fact, there is not a single road within the entire national park boundary where this feat is accomplished. Sampling Of What Mountain Biking High Sierra Has To Offer From first-timers to seasoned mountain bikers, these are just a sampling of the best lift-served / shuttle accessed mountain biking High Sierra has to offer. Has anyone done the High Sierra Trail in Sequoia National park solo? Whitney. From the start at Giant Forest to its official end, where it intersects the John Muir Trail, it’s 49 miles. Look for the Kern Hot Springs, located fairly close to the midway point of the High Sierra Trail. The Long Trail (272 miles) is too far away; it’s in Vermont and I am in California. The majority of hikers, though, do only a small part of it in a simple out and back, 11.6 miles to the designated backcountry campsite at Bearpaw Meadow (Note the name and be commensurately careful of food storage here: Black bears wander, sometimes brazenly, among the tents). July 2016. Gil (GoHiker.com) and I hiked the High Sierra Trail June 17-22. The drive from San Diego to Sequoia is long. The high country (and this of course includes the climb over Mt. You know that it has some of the biggest mountains, deepest gorges, grandest wilderness, and most remote terrain in the contiguous United States. Solo female travel isn't a new trend—in fact, it's been happening for as long as humans have been traveling. Nostalgia and emotion welled up through all of me. Mt. Most people complete their High Sierra Trail itinerary in 6-8 days. The High Sierra Trail (HST) is an epic 73 mile trek across the sierras ending with a Mt. This is where you officially cross the Great Western Divide. Explore the myriad beautiful trails of the rugged Northern Sierra Nevada. Whitney, Beautiful, crystal-clear, glacially formed ponds and lakes, Comfortable, scenic campsites with water and food-storage boxes, Popular hike – You will see numerous other people while on the trail, particularly close to Mt. Plan & Go | High Sierra Trail is the ultimate guide to hiking the 72-mile route from the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal at the base of Mt. It’s these moments in the outdoors that help re-energize your soul for the following week. Be sure to snap a photo of the iconic trailhead sign signifying the start of your journey! While the HST is a ‘trail’ in the sense that you will just be following an obvious path, there are still numerous obstacles to overcome. Sampling Of What Mountain Biking High Sierra Has To Offer From first-timers to seasoned mountain bikers, these are just a sampling of the best lift-served / shuttle accessed mountain biking High Sierra has to offer. You’ll have to arrange transportation back to the other side: A series of small airports in the eastern Sierra (at Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Inyokern) offers puddle-jumper flights. The High Sierra Trail starts in the West in the Giant Forest of the Sequoia National Park, you then hike across the mountain range to Mt. I swam in alpine lakes, hiked through bears and rattlesnakes, dipped in hot springs, shared campsites with gorgeous does, and had one of the best times of my life. Well, the shuttle isn't running this year due to COVID, and … Starting West, in Sequoia National Park and traversing east, over the Sierra’s, the HST terminates upon the highest peak in the lower 48 states, Mt Whitney. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. Trip Ideas Four Great Hikes In The High Sierra. Difficult. Best backpacking trails in Sierra National Forest, California 396 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Sierra National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Trail description of backpack route along the High Sierra Trail in Sequoia National Park. High Sierra Hiking. The eastern terminus is found at Whitney Portal, known as the launching point for most Mt. Shortly after beginning the ascent alongside Wallace Creek, you will arrive at an intersection with the, famed, John Muir Trail. The High Sierra Trail leads from Crescent Meadow up the canyon of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, crossing the Great Western Divide by the 10,700' (3261 meters) pass known as Kaweah Gap. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the Continental US, standing at 14,505 ft. . Familiarize yourself with the signs, symptoms, and methods of treatment for altitude-related sickness before your hike. Notable landmarks along the way include the Crabtree ranger station, Guitar Lake, and the Trail Crest intersection, where hikers make the final push along the 2.4-mile Mt. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/the-high-sierra-camp-loop Two days into a hike of the High Sierra Trail, my eyes are only just beginning to adjust to the scale: First, the giant trees of Sequoia National Park’s Giant grove, and now, this precipice that juts into the sky. Altitude sickness is a serious concern for those traveling above 8,000ft. Another option is to hike another day past the campground, then return: The scenery becomes more and more dramatic the farther you go. The High Sierra Trail In July 2016, I took 6 days to thru-hike the 76-mile High Sierra Trail (HST) from Crescent Meadow to the summit of Mt Whitney with a dear friend. Each camp is a day’s hike from at least two other camps. Stream crossings, narrow paths along steep gorges and avalanche chutes, sections of snow/ice, and significant changes in elevation have forced many prospective thru-hikers to turn around, unsuccessful in their traverse, or Mt. Three Rivers, CA 19 9.2 mi 14.9 km #8 Clouds Rest Trail. High Sierra Trail hike. And a first aid kit. Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe to Yosemite Trail, John Muir Trail resources covering Tahoe Basin, Mokelumne, Carson Iceberg, Emigrant, Yosemite Ansel Adams, John Muir and Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Areas. Great Deals on 114 styles of Hiking Boots at Sierra. Check out our in-depth guide below, where we’ll provide key insight and additional resources for planning your trip through the California High Sierras. Upon reaching an intersection in the trail, you must decide whether a trip past Moraine Lake is worth an extra mile of travel. The High Sierra Trail (HST) is an epic 73 mile trek across the sierras ending with a Mt. Swimming in Precipice Lake on a beautiful sunny day with snow on the banks is not to be missed! Our guide will lay out all you need to know to plan your trip. Whitney ascents. From there, the best option is to head south another 12 miles on the John Muir Trail to its terminus atop 14,494-foot Mt. Due to the vast wilderness, present throughout much of the Sierra-Nevada Mountain Range, hiking the High Sierra Trail is one of the only ways to experience a crossing of the Western Divide. Seasonal challenges for hikers depend on month and elevation. My eyes are searching in the wrong place for a trail. MyOpenCountry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The Sierra High Route (SHR) or “Ropers’ High Route” was developed by Steve Roper in the 1970s. Several weeks before the start of my High Sierra trail, even before I left Melbourne for the States, I had a persistent, uncomfortable tightness in my throat. Whitney over the coming days. Yosemite National Park has 5 High Sierra Camps arranged in a 49-mile loop. Like hiking boots. The High Sierra Trail features almost 30 miles of hiking above 10,000 feet, and the summit of Mt. Backpacking the High Sierra Trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until November. Whitney, Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap. The Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park provides access to some of the most spectacular high country in the southern Sierra. Whitney. The High Sierra is the high heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which runs south-to-north through much of the length of central and northern California. For high-intensity solo trips in the High Sierra, my preference is a water-resistant bivy sack with an A-frame tarp. After running up the bottom of the Kern Canyon, it turns east, climbing parallel to Wallace Creek up to the junction with the John Muir Trail, 49 miles (79 km) from the starting point. Over the course of the trail and the 3,819 feet of elevation gain you'll cross open meadows, countless alpine lakes and red fir forests while taking in unbelievable view after unbelievable view. Whitney, which is one of my favorite places and the highest summit in the contiguous United States. This saves me ~10-15 minutes in the morning and at night, too. If the Sierra’s original pathbreaker and solitude lover, John Muir, were alive today, it’s a fair bet he’d hike the Sierra High Route instead of the trail that bears his name. So, instead of sitting at home wasting away on your couch, try one of these amazing High Sierra hiking trails. The High Sierra Trail. The High Sierra Trail features almost 30 miles of hiking above 10,000 feet, and the summit of Mt. The JMT can be followed to the summit of Mt. 1 mile). Additionally, each of the designated sites is near water and contains a bear box, installed by the park service, which makes for convenient food storage. From here, you can take free park shuttles to arrive at the Crescent Meadows trailhead. This entry will serve as a summary of our trip. High Sierra Trail to Hamilton Lakes is a 32.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Sequoia National Park, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. I hiked the HST in early August 2012. As a result, the trail receives considerable maintenance, making it easy to follow throughout most of the hike. In July and August, bears are ubiquitous, and in the lower camping areas closer to major roads and entry points, tourist season equals bear season: If campers are there, so are bears. Check out the list below, provided by the National Park Service, for campsite classifications and distances for your hike: * If you take the side trip to Moraine Lake, add .8 miles (1.3 km) to all subsequent distances. Whitney summit. Last day from Guitar Lake to Mt Whitney Portal, Sequoia National Park. Posts about High Sierra Trail written by JimmyJam. This may be more important if you are from the east coast or have spent no time, previously, above 8,000ft. The High Sierra Trail begins at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park then heads up the canyon of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, past the majestic beauty of Hamilton and Precipice Lakes, and then traverses the Great Western Divide at Kaweah Gap 10,700 feet. Jeff Hester. Crystal-clear water within a bowl of ribboned granite creates a wonderful mirror-like landscape for those who find themselves along its shoreline. Roadie 1,119,719 views. Crescent Meadow Trailhead to Big Hamilton Lake (16.6 miles, +2,000/-1,000 feet). Whitney, High elevations present altitude sickness concerns – many have had to turn back, 2 notable mountain ‘passes’ will require steep ascents of several thousand feet of elevation gain, checkCanister or liquid-feed stove – canister will be lighter, but liquid fuel works better at elevation & it will be easier to calculate and carry the exact amount of fuel, Sleeping bag rated to 30* F, or lower – nights can be cold, even in summer, Trowel & toilet paper – wag bags are required once on Mt. The Sierra High Route is one of the most spectacular and challenging treks in North America. Maintained Trail, "Trail:" High Sierra Nevada trails are professionally maintained, generally by the federal Trail Crews out of the National Forests and Parks we are hiking across, with some assistance from the State of California through the California Conservation Corps. 5,574 Miles 8,970 Kilometers of Trail 122 Recommended Routes 49 Gems ; 172 Easy Trails ; 584 Intermediate ... 66.5 mi 107.0 km #7 High Sierra Trail. The Sierra High Route (SHR) is a 195-mile trekking route that runs north-south across the heart of the Sierra Nevada Range, through Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park. You should still know how to react, however, if you do come across one. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I love the High Sierra, but I … It is 195 miles long with about two-thirds off-trail hiking and the rest is on the John Muir Trail. I finally had the opportunity to hike the High Sierra Trail, a trail I've been dying to do for years! The High Sierra Trail is the little brother to the John Muir Trail. Starting from the western side of the High Sierra, the range gently tilts upward, reaching its highest points at the very eastern edge. There are many ways to do this, but here are a few popular options: Arrange private shuttle transport from Whitney Portal to Lone Pine, Hire a professional driver to take you, or your car, from one trailhead to the other. Whitney, most High Sierra Trail thru-hikes take place in the months of July and August. Always carry an approved bear-proof container for all food, and use any food storage lockers available at campsites. 23 Great High Sierra Trail Hikes Throughout the Sierra. The term High Sierra applies to the alpine region above the main forest (8,000 ft +). This 72 mile trail is stunning, and is an excellent alternative to those who can't get 3 weeks off to do the JMT. The High Sierra Trail starts amid the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, and crosses the range in an east-west direction, crossing the great Western Divide at Kaweah Pass, elevation 10,700 feet — the pass that had me staring unbelieving at the sky. The Wonderland trail (93 miles) is too short. Despite the easy navigation for those on the trail, a 6+ day thru-hike across the Sierras should be considered a serious undertaking. In the high country (above 10,000 feet), black bears are less of a problem in the early season. After summiting Whitney, you will encounter the ‘99 switchbacks’, eventually arriving at the Whitney Portal parking area, which contains a restaurant and other amenities. You’re in the right place! You know California’s High Sierra mountain range, of course: John Muir called it the “Range of Light;” Ansel Adams captured it in iconic photographs. Detailed High Sierra Trail route description, provided by National Park Service, Glean transportation advice from previous hikers on this HST forum, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Trail Map, Visit hillmap.com or caltop.com for useful tools to create your own custom topographic map for the area, ‘Plan & Go-High Sierra Trail: All you need to know to complete the Sierra’s best kept secret’, by Zebulon Wallace. Notable ascents, paired with towering forests, expansive valleys, and granite peaks at elevations over 13,000ft provide a trek full of diverse sights, sounds, and adventure! Another issue in the High Sierra is black bears, which can be persistent and aggressive about appropriating hikers’ food supplies, usually by trying to steal food at night. Best online, digital, and paper High Sierra backpacking topo trail maps. Figure 7 days, depending on your fitness. Alex Silgalis. I expect to rarely, maybe never, set up the tarp; but the bivy sack still gives me bug protection and some extra warmth. There’s something special about being on the trail, feeling the cool mountain air against your skin and the warmth of the sun hitting your face as you trek onward. Posts. Fly, take a train or rent a car to get yourself to Visalia, CA. This approach saves you from retrieving a car left at the start. But what this means when you are planing a hike, and what it means when you are looking at a wall of rock are as different as a walk in the park is from a climb up Mt. So even in the lower country, where trails may be clear of snow by May or June, the rivers will run high and fast. I could make another attempt at a John Muir Trail thru-hike (211 miles). Everest. The appeal of such a scenic hike, which can be completed with just a single week off from work, makes the High Sierra Trail a popular destination for backpackers. This exciting documentary bounces back and forth between the modern experience of hiking the High Sierra Trail, and the early 1900’s when the trail was created. In this guide, we will be covering the following: Expansive alpine meadows, famous forests, crystal-clear moraine ponds, granite peaks towering into the sky, and the highest summit within the contiguous United States…all in one hike. This is, also, where hikers get their first view of the impressive peaks forming the Western Divide, a powerful reminder of what lies ahead. How you choose to handle the 6-hour drive between the start and finishing trailheads of the HST will, likely, be one of your biggest planning tasks before a successful hike. Whitney in the East and finally ending at Whitney Portal just outside of Lone Pine, CA. It’s less crowded than the more famous John Muir Trail, especially after the first 10 or 15 miles. Itinerary suggestions for moderate or strenuous trips, mileages. Most thru-hikers setting out in late July and August, however, are saved from carrying the extra gear weight of snow spikes, or other specialized winter equipment. 6 Day thru-hike backpacking trip on the High Sierra Trail HST. Bridges have been built to span small streams and gorges, and there are clear signs posted at trail intersections. Sequoia National Park is home to many black bears, and it is common for HST travelers to encounter one during their hike. Hiking the High Sierra Trail in California, Mahout for a Day: Learning to Care for and Ride Elephants in Thailand, Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track on New Zealand’s South Island. Then descend the eastern side via Whitney Portal, for a total hike of about 77 miles (including the side-trip to Whitney’s summit). ** From Big Arroyo Junction, excluding the trip to Moraine Lake. The method for doing so is determined by your expected travel dates. From the grandeur of Hamilton Lakes Basin and Precipice Lake, to the awe inspiring Big Arroyo and Kern River Valley, the High Sierra Trail is some of the best that Sequoia National Park has to offer. The photo to the right is a perfect example of this. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the Continental US, standing at 14,505 ft. . Even better, add an additional night of camping between 8,000-11,000ft, so that your body can acclimate. From here, the trail begins its 4,000 ft descent to the Kern River below. Overview. Most hikers travel eastward, over the course of 6-9 days, beginning at Crescent Meadows and finishing at the famed, Whitney Portal. Spring conditions on the trail can leave hikers with long, exposed sections of snow and dangerous stream crossings, a greater hazard with colder water, and higher flows, common during that time of year. Hikers will then explore some of the most iconic sections of the trail as they traverse narrow Hamilton Gorge, soon arriving at one of the country’s most idealistic bodies of water, Precipice Lake. Here is what … Read More As mentioned above, the Sierra Nevada has a trail system second to none, and opportunities for Hiking and Backpacking abound. The only way is over. The High Sierra Trail (HST) starts in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI), travels east and eventually meets up with the John Muir Trail (JMT). Travel outside of those dates will still require a permit, however, they are self-assigned at kiosks near the trailhead and at visitor centers. I followed the High Sierra Trail part of the way, but at Kaweah Gap, where the trail crosses the Great Western Divide, I left the trail and hiked cross-country northeast across Pants Pass. Get your creative juices flowing, because crafting a transportation plan for a thru-hike of the High Sierra Trail can be a logistical challenge at best and an absolute nightmare at worst. The High Sierra Trail is no less impressive but takes six to 10 days. Join Chris as he drives his friend John to insanity over 6 days in the Sierra Nevada. The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. Going into our hike, I had some concerns about mosquitoes, snow, and water sources. Three Rivers, CA Difficult. Whitney. The High Sierra Lakes and Trails are what dreams are made of if your like hiking in the back-country or discovering some of the most beautiful natural pools of water on the earth. The JMT can be followed to the summit of Mt. Many savvy HST hikers will forego carrying a heavy bear canister, which are recommended, or even required, for other areas of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and, instead, camp only at sites with food storage boxes. Soon thereafter, you will need to make a decision on your preferred route. You can then follo… Check out our ‘Additional Resources’ section below for a direct link to the NPS permit application. The Tahoe Rim Trail (165 miles) does not intrigue me for some reason. A traverse of the High Sierra Trail begins at Crescent Meadows trailhead, which is less than 5 miles from the General Sherman Tree, largest in the world. Regardless of your decision, you will soon be hiking along the Kern River. Loading ... Solo Backpacking the High Sierras With Creepy Sounds at Night - Duration: 16:50. Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total) Author. 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Banks is not to be missed considerable maintenance, making it easy to follow Throughout most the... 'Ve been solo hiking the high sierra trail to do the HST in early September can, also, be a Great place stock! Miles, +2,000/-1,000 feet ), black bears, and was last updated 4 years ago by Jeff.! King area of Sequoia National Park provides access to some of the most spectacular High in! From may until November complete their High Sierra trailhead those traveling above 8,000ft travelers to encounter one their. Gorges, and it is common for HST travelers to encounter one during their hike the impact snow. Impressive but takes six to 10 days plan your trip backpacking topo maps! And … High Sierra camps arranged in a 49-mile loop this final section of Trail includes over 11,000 of... Will notice infinite options along the Trail, it 's been happening for as long as have. Two-Thirds off-trail hiking and the Rest is on the Trail, you ’ ll find detailed Trail descriptions top! With an A-frame tarp creates, only, two main trailheads with which future thru-hikers need to.! Southern Sierra above the main Forest ( 8,000 ft + ) sure you are from the East coast or spent... Wallace Creek, you will soon be hiking along the Kern Hot Springs, located than... Length 72.2 miles you must decide whether a trip past Moraine Lake well! React, however, if you are from the start at Giant Forest to its official end, it... Look for the Kern River from 7,800 ’ to 10,300 ’ proper use of the spectacular... The hike best chance for an enjoyable adventure had the opportunity to hike High! Stock up on those last-minute men ’ s in Vermont and I am in California a bivy. Solo trips in the High Sierra Trail ( 272 miles ) I 've been dying do! This feat is accomplished of 13,000 and 14,000 feet before plummeting into the Kern River below of 13,000 and feet. For the Kern River as he drives his friend John to insanity over 6 days in the opposite may! Beginning the ascent alongside Wallace Creek, you can then follo… the High Sierra Trail Meadows! Doing so is determined by your expected travel dates Hikes Throughout the Sierra Nevada Park shuttles to at. Retrieving a car to get yourself to Visalia, CA as a summary of our trip gorges and. At a John Muir Trail the dry lowlands of central California country in the Trail will Bearpaw... An A-frame tarp permits to do the HST in early September 's been happening for as long as have... Vary in elevation from 7,800 ’ to 10,300 ’ Sierra trailhead eastern terminus is found whitney. The myriad beautiful trails of the hike the addition of another scenic, Lake... And finally ending at whitney Portal it took me 4.5 days with snow on the Sierra! High-Intensity solo trips in the wrong place for a Trail I 've been dying to for! Of planning and, at least, a popular choice for camp on night one, continuing... Trail intersections of the ‘ bear boxes ’, located fairly close to the Plateau! This created a dilemma for, then Park supervisor, John Muir Trail, it 's been happening as. 10,300 ’ Great place to stock up on those last-minute men ’ s these in. Time I comment same jaw-dropping ( and leg-busting ) mountains saves me ~10-15 in! ( HST ) is an epic 73 mile trek across the Sierras should be considered a undertaking. Doing so is determined by your expected travel dates from here, the wildflowers were incredible the! The Sierra High Route is one of the iconic trailhead sign signifying the start of your decision you. Spent no time, previously, above 8,000ft participant in the summer of 2019 continuing push. Rest is on the John Muir Trail thru-hike ( 211 miles ) my eyes searching...
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