The permit, itself, doesn't cost anything. If there are enough people to warrant this you will drive to and meet the plane the evening before the trip starts. (We highly recommend renting before you buy so as to find what suits you best, since a full setup is pretty pricey). No shadows. Of course, being as we were off trail most of the time, we didn’t see any Rangers on our thru-hike and I doubt they would have cared as long as we had a permit… I wonder if there is an explanation for this, or was the Ranger just misinformed? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was conceived as a more diehard alpine alternative to the JMT by outdoor adventurer, climber, and author Steve Roper in the 1990s. There are other locations to resupply but they are not nearly as convenient: to reach Bishop, hike over Piute Pass to a trailhead on the east side of the Sierra crest and then hitchhike into town; and to reach Mammoth Lakes, take the shuttle bus from Red’s Meadow or hike into town from Mammoth Pass. With respect, Andrew, the most beautiful photos (and the most beautiful views) are while facing into the sun, because shadows highlight everything, even at mid-day. You need SMC Advanced Ski Skills or better for this tour. Permits A Wilderness Permit is compulsory and quotas apply for all access points. ... Forms, Applications, and Permits in pdf format. MMS has a very wide range of rental equipment that is probably the best you will find anywhere in California. April 27-May 2. Price includes guiding, van shuttle, air charter, permits, all necessary group gear, avalanche beacons, tents, kitchen gear and dinners, lunches and breakfasts (you bring snack items). Looked at rec.gov to get a wilderness permit for inyo national forest but they didn’t have twin lakes/mono village as an exit point. But in general, I strongly recommend that you travel light: you should aim for the weight of your pack, minus consumables like food and water, to about 15 lbs or less. It starts high in the Palisades, the most rugged sub-range in the Sierra, and offers a summit of Mt Sill 14,154′ (4,314 m). level 1. Hi friends. The next day we cross Shepherd Pass before descending Tyndall Creek to the Kern River and camp alongside Milestone Creek. Bland. SMC Brochure (PDF) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). The High Sierra is managed by several agencies, but you only need a permit from the agency that manages the trailhead from which you are starting. The purpose of Creek Fire Order No. This is “it”; the ultimate Sierra Classic ski tour. No matter which start variation you choose, this is one of the finest ski tours in the world and one to be long remembered. Hope to see you all out there this summer. Nicknamed Peter, the author vanished during a trip to the Minarets in 1933, his body was found after an intense search, and his book was published posthumously. The encyclopedia of Sierra travel. We had to pay to park our car for a few days and was 14 dollars. Sierra High Route and permits via #hiking— Hiking Gurus (@hikinggurus1) May 14, 2018 from Twitter May 14, 2018 at 04:47AM via hikinggurus.com Site by, Due to Covid-19 lockdown in California, SMC programs are suspended until after Christmas. We highly recommend that you spend at least one night at moderate altitude (higher than 8,000 feet) just prior to the trip. You can also subscribe without commenting. The Sierra National Forest announces the extension of the Sierra – Creek Fire Closure Order through January 06, 2021. But Tuolumne is located about 168 miles north of Road’s End and 27 miles south of Mono Village—hardly halfway—so it does not help much in reducing the amount of food that must be carried. The Mountaineers, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Wilderness permits are required in Yosemite for all backcountry overnights. Laws, John Muir, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. My son and I quickly changed our plans, and will be starting the SHR on my 66th birthday in June of 2015. Steady contours lead us around vast bowls of prime snow and the legendary slopes of Cloud and Deadman’s Canyons. The original guide is Starr's Guide to the John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Region, written by Walter Starr Jr. in 1933 and published by the Sierra Club.It is still available in revised form. You’ll see that everything becomes vibrant from all the shadows, even little shadows in front of far away rocks; and from backlit greenery too. From here we are picked up by our shuttle van and head to Visalia and return back to the east side by either van or plane flight depending upon availability. 7 days, 6 nights. The Sierra High Route traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range from South to North or vice versa. In the High Sierra, you should only need a permit from the agency where your trip starts. For more information, visit the following land manager websites: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Inyo National Forest. Close. If you start the SHR from a terminus, you will need a wilderness permit. 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. A link does not constitute an endorsement of content, viewpoint, policies, products or services of that web site. (The LTBMU was carved out of the surrounding National Forests that previously shared management of the Tahoe Basin. A circumnavigation of the remote upper headwaters of the Tuolumne…, The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide (Second Edition): Tools & Techniques to Hit the Trail, Free download: My 12 go-to breakfasts & dinners. If you start at Road’s End, you will need a permit from Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP; they detail the permit system on their website. If you know your starting date 14+ days beforehand, I would recommend that you reserve your permit ahead of time—it’s worth the $15 reservation fee to guarantee your access to the SHR. I’m not aware of any guaranteed technique to avoid a fine, e.g. After parking the car, we carpooled to the start at … The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. Early-season hikers (June and July) will experience more snow, more wet feet, and more mosquitoes than hikers later in the year. Published by The Mountaineers. Heavy pack + lots of food = slow, hard, and uncomfortable. I’m surprised that you had this experience at Road’s End, which is a very popular trailhead and where I’d expect rangers to know the rules. If so, the Sierra High Route is for you. So, I'm looking to shave a few days off the route. My writings on backpacking gear, supplies, and skills, and sometimes about running, hunting, and life events. Bears are not interested in humans, but they are interested in our food, and this is partly why bears are a major management consideration in the Sierra. Starting March 1, you can make reservations in the Inyo National Forest to get a permit (up to six months in advance) and the reservation is about $8 per person. If you will be accessing the park through the Jennie Lakes wilderness (Sequoia National Forest), obtain a permit … The snowfields melted out earlier than normal, leaving behind technical scree to cross; and snowfields that did remain were heavily sun-cupped. A lightweight pack will reduce the stress & strain on your body and improve your mobility, thus reducing your risk of injury and your long-term wear on important body parts like your knees. The SoSHR is a route in keeping with the spirit of the original SHR, and a route we believe would be close to John Muir’s heart. DUSY-ERSHIM OHV ROUTE High Sierra Ranger District United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service ... High Sierra Ranger District P.O. Red’s receives a lot of resupply boxes from John Muir Trail hikers and they have a good system in place; the fee is $25/box. The name “Sierra High Route” is actually a pretty generic name. Your direction is non-critical unless you are hiking early or late in the season. Kearsarge start The City of Sierra Vista is working to streamline the permit application process through the online application portal below. 10. For the experienced backcountry skier with good backcountry skills it will be a truly outstanding venture; the essence of ski mountaineering. The ranger wanted to know our precise itinerary but settled for “nights 2-17: unknown.” She’d never heard of it and I had only heard vague mention so I tromped off to the library to check out Steve Roper’s work of genius, Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country. Particularly the info about resupplies, and permits. 37 miles. You need advanced ski skills for this tour. LNT - Let's work together to protect our precious mountain environment. You should be able to ski advanced ski area runs confidently and be proficient at kick turns, traversing on 40 degree slopes, side slipping and parallel or telemark turns all while carrying a pack of about 40 pounds. Visit their website for more information. Like everyone else, I am sincerely grateful for this valuable information. AIARE Recreational Level I Avalanche Course. Sierra High Route: Permits, alternate start/end points. The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails. From Bridgeport we took the CREST bus directly to the Reno (RNO) airport; it cost $17 one-way, which is a great deal. Much appreciated. I would do it, and in fact did a similar route (probably even more remote) back in July. Subscribe to receive a free download of my recipe book, which features 12 extensively trail-tested breakfasts and dinners. The problem here is resisting the overwhelming temptation to drop the packs and ski a several thousand foot run to the valley floor below; and then be faced with the long haul back up. I completed the AT years ago and the JMT last summer, but this trip excites me more than the other two combined. The mosquitoes hatched earlier than usual. Day 1 of Sierra High Route Couple’s Backpacking. From this point, follow Steve Roper’s excellent instructions for the Sierra High Route. 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. This is an excellent general reference to trails, cross-country routes and climbing routes in the Sierra Nevada. The High Sierra, Peaks, Passes, and Trails. Four months later we were haggling over wilderness permits. Sierra County New Mexico – forms and applications related to Sierra County Administration and Government. The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails. You will have to pick it up at the Road’s End Permit Station, which is just across the road from the Copper Creek Trail. so I will not comment. The Sierra High Route. This map was created by a user. 2021 Dates. The “Sierra High Route” was created by Steve Roper – author of the book “Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country. They are heavy (1 lb, 15 oz for the lightest model, the Bearikade Expedition from Wild-Ideas), they are an added expense, and they are uncomfortable to carry (their cylindrical shape fits awkwardly in small packs, and their hard sides inflict bruises if not cushioned correctly). Stay safe. I'm planning to spend the month of July in the Sierra, most likely doing a variation of the SHR, starting at Road's End and ending in Yosemite Valley because I have family on the west side of the range. If you are not travelling early or late, then you can chose to either way. First skied in its entirety in 1975 by Sierra veteran Dave Beck, this subtle line linking high passes and long contours around huge snow filled bowls has become the goal of many a backcountry skier. I offered $60 + gas (about $80 total) and received about five emails from available drivers within 30 minutes; you could probably ask for less and still find someone. A high percentage of the BSL travels through some of the best terrain the Sierra Nevada has to offer. Box 559 Prather, CA 93651 559-855-5355 (TDD) 559-855-5367 ... Campfire permits are free In fact, it is often confused with the “High Sierra Trail,” which is an actual trail. SMC does not rent ski equipment, but we work with Mammoth Mountaineering (760-934-4191) to get you set up on the correct equipment. 6 days, 5 nights. Buzz and I decided to go in early-July. Generally, I prefer to resupply by sending packages to myself via the mail, as opposed to trying to gather supplies in town. But I preferred this direction anyway: the sun was at our backs, making for better photos and less sun exposure on our faces; and most of the passes have gentler south slopes than north slopes, which made for easier travel. I'm planning to hike the Sierra High Route northbound in the late summer, but weddings have now bookended the window and I don't have the time I thought I'd have. For those coming from the Bay area, or nearby, we will try to arrange a flight prior to the trip. In order to reach Road’s End, which is just west of the historic town of Kanawyers, we flew into Fresno (FAT) from Denver and found a shuttle driver via Craig’s List to drive us the 85 miles. Permits & Regulations – A wilderness permit is required for all overnight travel in the Sierras. Two aussies (myself and my partner SImon), have just found out about this amazing trail, and are now avidly researching it, to make it happen in the next year or so. the sierra high route, cartridge pass & 60 lakes basin August 31 - September 7, 2019 We left the East Bay at 7 AM, picked up a stray hiker in Fresno around 10, and were at Roads End waiting for a walkup permit by 1 PM. I make up the difference by wearing most of my clothing to bed. A follow-up question. This is “it”; the ultimate Sierra Classic ski tour. We lead adventurous learning-intensive backpacking courses and trips in Yosemite, Alaska, West Virginia, southern Utah, and the Colorado Rockies. Sierra High Route: Permits, alternate start/end points. Again, I am not as familiar with their system; visit their website for more information. This is a long tour and pack weight needs to be kept as low as possible. Assessor’s Office: 65+ or Disabled Person Low Income Limitation Application 65+ or Disabled Person Low … Yes, permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry of the Sierra. See the overview of using our self-service portal for permits, or check out our detailed user guide. ‘…the sun was at our back, making for better photos…’. Recommendations on how to access the trail are included in several guide books, especially Sierra High Route by Steve Roper. All Rights Reserved. We offer two variation starts to this wonderful route: Both variations join in the upper reaches of the Kern River where we climb up Milestone Creek, climbing to just below the summit of imposing Milestone Mountain as we follow the divide between the Kings, Kern and Kaweah Rivers. What’s your opinion on solo hiking the High Route? Miles of gentle downhill takes us through the amazing undulating Tablelands, below Alta Peak, and down to the giant sequoias at Wolverton. Often compared to the famous “Haute Route” of the European Alps or Colorado’s Tenth Mountain Trail, this is a true extended wilderness ski tour, with no huts, few other people and no nearby roads. Also, by reducing your base weight you can hike more miles per day and cover the distances between resupply points quicker, which will reduce the amount of food weight you must carry. And we thought we would see some stormy weather, which we preferred to California’s cloudless summer weather pattern. High Sierra Trail Summary. All Rights Reserved. And for many years there was an unhealthy situation whereby these bears recognized that humans = food (and good food at that—Snickers, peanut butter, salami, etc.) Thanks for subscribing! Youtube Video Library Laws, John Muir, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. The original guide is Starr's Guide to the John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Region, written by Walter Starr Jr. in 1933 and published by the Sierra Club.It is still available in revised form. Traveling light on the SHR is even more important than on a standard backpacking trip. I spent the last three months planning for a traverse of the john Muir Trail in August of 2015 until I stumbled upon an article about the Sierra High Route. Identification of flora and fauna of the Sierra. This is not a trail hike, but instead follows high alpine passes and basins, avoiding both trails and below treeline travel wherever possible. So, I'm looking to shave a few days off the route. High route guides, a free food e-book, and signed copies of The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide. Permits guarantee that each visitor gets important basic education before their wilderness trip. If rangers were not out patrolling, I would not take a canister and I would instead rely on the effective techniques I have described above. I would greatly appreciate hearing from you after complete your hike. Posted by 2 years ago. I'm thinking about hiking the Sierra High Route this summer. What would you carry for this year, for Mid-June to Mid-July? If you will be entering Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks but starting your trip outside of the parks you can generally obtain your permit for your entire itinerary from the agency where your trip begins (e.g. Rangers do patrol the backcountry, though in lower frequency than they used to (thank you Bush administration), and they regularly do canister checks on passing hikers. 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