At 48.9 miles from the trailhead (78.2 km), you will reach the junction with the John Muir Trail, which runs from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mt. March 2, 2019; I’d been wanting to do the High Sierra Trail for a number of years now and after hiking the Rae Lakes Loop last year, I decided that this year it was going to happen. From here, you can see back to Moro Rock to the west, down to the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, and ahead to the glaciated peaks of the Great Western Divide. Pacific Crest Trail Wonderland Trail High Sierra Trail ... August 16, 2019. *** The climb to the summit includes a 2.4-mile (each way) spur trail. A bad night’s sleep punctuated by a 5 am rain shower and distant thunderstorm. I’m Paul “Pie” Ingram a British dude living in Finland who hikes all over the world. For hikers with more time, a summary of distances between the alternate campsites mentioned is given at the end of this description. The hike depicted in the documentary, which involved taking a 2.5-mile spur at the end of the trail, would end at the top of Mt. For most of the trip, I’d been cowboy camping but I’d sent my tarp up for the first time in ages. 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 … Whitney. We hiked some connecting trails to our starting point for the High Sierra Trail. We crushed out the High Sierra Trail in four days, hopefully this trip report gives you some insight into this pleasant and relatively easy hike. Soon, the trail begins to climb out of the Kern Canyon, offering increasingly impressive views of the canyon to the south, and west to the Kaweah Peaks, which were to the east of you three days ago when you came over Kaweah Gap. I ate cold soaked ramen noodles and Oreos instead. The High Sierra Trail is no less impressive but takes six to 10 days. After returning to Trail Crest, hikers heading out to Whitney Portal will descend 100 switchbacks to Trail Camp, a popular camping area for hikers coming from the east side. Day 14 (Day 1 hiking the High Sierra Trail) – Lodgepole visitor center to Bucks Creek Campsite. Some bad Mexican food was consumed then chocolate was purchased before camping on the outskirts of town. Or do you have a question about the gear I used? We charged up devices, and resupplied at Lodgepole then headed over to Wasatch Lodge to get WiFi. 93271, Summary of distances along the High Sierra Trail. 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. A great night’s sleep was had despite temperatures being very cold. Day 8 - to Big Arroyo (12 miles/19.2 km from Kern Hot Springs; 8 miles/12.8 km from Upper Funston): Retrace your previous route. El sendero ofrece una serie de opciones de actividades y … The hiking itself was easy all day and the trail was well maintained. Lottery entries can be submitted between October 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020. The High Sierra trail, within Sequoia, starts in Crescent Meadows, which is home to three of the five largest trees in the world. In the early afternoon, we were hit (literally) with a brief hail storm. 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. Wilderness Trails. Before (Saturday): Drive to Sequoia NP (approx. There was strong sun exposure/heat at the start but adjusted quickly. Buck Creek to Hamilton Lake: 5.3 miles. A rugged hike, similar to the other two off-trail routes we hiked in the summer of 2019. We started at Lodgepole visitor center in Kings Canyon and finished in the town of Lone Pine. From this pass at 10,700' (3261 meters) it is only a few hundred vertical feet down to the open valley of the Big Arroyo. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. The popular campsites here offer outstanding views and fair to good fishing for brook, rainbow and golden trout. Although often crowded, this site offers an impressive early morning view of the rising sun's light striking Mt. This canyon runs almost due north and south for about 25 miles (40 km) along the Kern Canyon fault. This stretch of the trail can be long and dry, so be sure to fill your water bottles at Sky Parlor Meadow. Beyond Big Hamilton Lake, there is nowhere to go but up! It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. We hiked 19 miles by 15:30 and got a quick ride to Lone Pine from the Cottonwood trailhead. The timing of the trip was quite good. I would recommend starting a little earlier than this if it is a normal snow year to avoid colder temps. High Sierra Trail Summary. Day 4 - to Junction Meadow (13.7 miles/21.9 km from Moraine Lake/9.7 miles; 15.5 km from Upper Funston): If you are coming from Moraine Lake, continue about 1 mile (1.6 km) beyond the lake to rejoin the High Sierra Trail at Sky Parlor Meadow. Lone Pine seemed a classic quirky trail town with everything we would be looking for. 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. Beyond the junction with the Seven Mile Hill Trail, which connects the High Sierra and Alta Trails, the trail crosses the steep slopes and bluffs of the south side of Alta Meadow and Alta Peak. If your schedule allows, you may wish to camp here, but you must stay in the designated camp sites, which are often heavily used. Oh and my foot/ankle/knee issues weren’t too terrible . The hard work of hiking the Sierra High Route pays off and this is a classic American hike for a reason. High Sierra Topix (HST) is a not-for-profit Sierra Nevada adventure community resource created by its members, for its members. Then we contoured over easy trail for the whole afternoon and made it to camp. It is unsafe to be anywhere on top of the mountain or any exposed high place during a thunderstorm. East of Hamilton Gorge, the trail enters the alpine life zone of the Sierras, a region where the short growing season, avalanches and lack of soil make life impossible for plants other than herbs and low shrubs. The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. ** From Big Arroyo Junction, excluding the trip to Moraine Lake. We set up, ate our ramen and passed the F out. I hate junk mail and I won’t send you any. Hiking the High Sierra Trail was MUCH easier than the KCHBR and all other portions of our 2019 hike (see details of our trip below). Pickup after 1 PM the day before or before 9 AM the day of. I finally had the opportunity to hike the High Sierra Trail, a trail I've been dying to do for years! This trip report covers my hike of the High Sierra Trail. History of the High Sierra Trail – The High Sierra Trail is a spectacular 72 mile trek across the famed Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, arguably the finest mountain scenery in the United States. Beyond the lake, the route passes a series of shallow glacial ponds, to finally arrive at Kaweah Gap on the Great Western Divide (20 miles/32 km). The High Sierra Trail Posted on January 27, 2019 by Rachel Gearhart This past summer my dad and I laced up our trail runners, packed our backpacking packs, and took a plane out to California to hike the High Sierra Trail (HST). Sierra High Route (2019 Hiking Trip Report) The Sierra High Route (SHR) or “Ropers’ High Route” was developed by Steve Roper in the 1970s. I’ll also send you my FREE ebook - 50 Ultralight Backpacking Tips! It was awesome to walk amongst giant Sequoia’s, they are majestic and a sight to behold. Whitney. The camping areas were well taken care of by the campers. Check the weather conditions before beginning the hike to the summit. 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. We shuttled over to the largest (not tallest) tree in the world, The Sherman tree. Whitney.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 route crosses Hamilton Creek just above the lower Hamilton Falls and climbs another series of switchbacks to Big Hamilton Lake (16.6 miles/26.6 km). Whitney, the highest peak in … Lodgepole Visitor Center 7:00am-3:30pm daily. Join Chris as he drives his friend John to insanity over 6 days in the Sierra Nevada. The official trail length is 61.5 miles from Crescent Meadow to Mt. The High Sierra trail, within Sequoia, starts in Crescent Meadows, which is home to three of the five largest trees in the world. This is part 2 of 4 that covers my summer 2019 hike through the High Sierra. At 36.8 miles/58.9 km from the trailhead (excluding the side-trip to Moraine Lake), you will arrive at Kern Hot Springs, complete with a crude cement bathtub in which to soak your aching muscles. Use these links to head to the other trip reports: Signup to receive articles about Ultralight Backpacking, Thru-Hiking and Gear Guides & Reviews. High Sierra Topix (HST) is a not-for-profit Sierra Nevada adventure community resource created by its members, for its members. High Sierra Trail, Sequoia National Park thru-hike. Be sure to check conditions when you pick up your permit. Track trans Sierra highways and resupply locations expected and actual opening and closing dates. Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern Rive It was great to chat with Michelle after such a long time, I got emotional. There is a lottery process for reservations at the High Sierra Camps due to high demand. This trip report covers my hike of the Sierra High Route. Day 10 - to Crescent Meadow via the High Sierra Trail (15.5 miles/25 km): Retrace your previous route. I took some time to soak in the Kern Hot Spring, legit and well worth it! Whitney The 71-mile High Sierra Trailtraverses the Sierra Nevada from Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park … The decision was made to start late in August for a couple of reasons. If you are hiking back to Giant Forest, plan to return to Crabtree Meadow (round trip to the summit, 16.8 miles/26.8 km). If you plan to hike in this or any off-trail area, always carry a topo map and compass, and be sure you know how to use them. To reach Upper Funston Meadow (34.5 miles/55.2 km), turn south (right) upon reaching the bottom of the canyon. Wine and snacks will be provided, but you must reserve your seat here. The Mount Whitney Hut was built at the summit in 1909 as a station for meteorological observations. Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest. The trail to the summit follows an open, rocky route along the west side of the Sierra crest. Not a bad day. Our start date for the trip was the 18th of August. F or many, the 220-mile long John Muir Trail, which runs north to south across the Sierra Nevada, represents the quintessential backcountry hike. Join today to receive articles about Ultralight Backpacking, Thru-Hiking and in-depth Gear Guides & Reviews delivered straight to your inbox. It was completed in the late 1920s / early 1930s. During 1930, a trail crew working with an air compressor and rock drills spent nearly the entire summer blasting a 1-mile (1.6 km) stretch of trail through this area. Our members are highly experienced in backpacking, hiking, peak bagging, bouldering, mountaineering, photography and fishing in and around the John Muir Trail (JMT), Sierra High … After crossing Buck Creek, the trail climbs some 500' in slightly over a mile (152 meters in 1.6 km), arriving at the Bearpaw Meadow area 11.4 miles (18.2 km) from the trailhead. But the heat of the sun and the exposure were intense and tiring. The metal roof of this hut attracts lightning which can be conducted through the building to individuals inside. The best treatment for altitude sickness is to descend to a lower altitude. Whitney, the highest peak in … High Sierra Trail: Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal es un sendero de punto a punto de 72 millas con tráfico pesado localizado cerca de Stony Creek Village, California. While this trail was on our radar, we thought the High Sierra Trail would be a good way to ease into the behemoth JMT. Backpacking the High Sierra Trail. Still sweaty from the heat of the day and dusty from the fine soil trail, but it was so nice to be on an actual trail!!! March 2, 2019; Distance Hiked: 5.3 miles. You’ll also get access to my FREE 15+ page ebook - 50 Ultralight Backpacking Tips. The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. Day 3 - to Moraine Lake (8 miles/12.8 km) or Upper Funston Meadow (12 miles/19.2 km): After 2 strenuous days of hiking, the journey from Big Arroyo to Moraine Lake is relatively easy. The nearly-level trail then passes through part of the area burned by the Buckeye Fire in 1980. Tiene un lago y es calificado como difícil. The trail continues a steady to moderate descent to the campsites at Big Arroyo Junction (22.5 miles/36 km). 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. Before (Saturday): Drive to Sequoia NP (approx. The High Sierra Trail Posted on January 27, 2019 by Rachel Gearhart This past summer my dad and I laced up our trail runners, packed our backpacking packs, and took a plane out to California to hike the High Sierra Trail (HST). High Sierra Trail. 47050 Generals Highway I was super thankful I had while I listened to the rain on sil-nylon from the comforts of my sleeping bag. The right-hand trail branches off from the main High Sierra Trail to Moraine Lake (30 miles/48 km from Crescent Meadow). I’m Paul “Pie” Ingram a British dude living in Finland who hikes all over the world. 5 hours), Lodgepole Visitors Center to pick up permits. Creek crossings may be hazardous early in the summer. Important seasonal hiking dates against the current and historical weather guides gear selection. 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. If you have a tighter schedule, you may wish to bypass Moraine Lake, an extra .8 miles (1.3 km), and proceed directly to Upper Funston Meadow, at the bottom of the Kern Trench. In addition to camp sites, this is the location of the Bearpaw Meadow Camp, a simple tent hotel run by the park concessionaire (reservations required). Day 15 – Bucks Creek Campsite To Moraine Lake, Day 17 – Crabtree Meadow to Lone Pine – End of the High Sierra Trail. Home Thru-Hiking. After passing some nice campsites at Lone Pine Creek (13.1 miles/21.0 km from the trailhead), the trail follows a long series of switchbacks, overshadowed by the Angel Wings, a sheer granite wall to the north of the trail. 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. Luckily no lightning despite some rumbling. 2019 High Sierra backpacking and backpacker's Calendar. We got moving early and had easy terrain for most of the day. 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. Day 5 - to Crabtree Meadow (8.9 miles/14.2 km): Leave the park-like Jeffrey pines of Junction Meadow and cross a steep, rocky slope covered with manzanita and currant. Permit reservation timing information. Did I miss some important information? We did a 3 day 34 mile backpack along the High Sierra Trail starting at Crescent Meadow, overnighting at Bearpaw Meadow and then Hamilton Lake before hiking out. The tub is only a few feet from the cold, rushing Kern River, and runoff from the tub mixes with river water to create a warm pool, allowing you your choice of temperatures for bathing. I finally had the opportunity to hike the High Sierra Trail, a trail I've been dying to do for years! Beyond Kern Hot Spring, the trail continues along the bottom of the glaciated valley of the Kern River. The 6,000-foot descent from atop Mount Whitney to Whitney Portal is especially brutal. It was completed in the late 1920s / early 1930s. Directed by Chris Smead. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and … Or do you have a question about the gear I used? It’s designed to keep backcountry users safer, by highlighting problem spots and identifying wiser alternates. We started at Lodgepole visitor center in Kings Canyon and finished in the town of Lone Pine. Altitude sickness is an illness that can occur when at high altitude (typically above 8,000 feet or 2,400 m). These trip reports are taken from my daily journaling whilst hiking the High Sierra Trail and the other routes. The Kern River Trail drops into a marshy area beyond the junction, then leads through a forest of Jeffrey pine and incense-cedar. Snowpocalypse 2019: Expected “summer” conditions in the High Sierra & southern Rockies Early-season conditions , Planning , Popular / Andrew Skurka Extensive snow coverage on the north side of Mather Pass, looking towards Palisade Lakes, after a very wet winter. The High Sierra Trail is no less impressive but takes six to 10 days. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern Rive I provide some background info on each of the routes/trails and insert appropriate links to further reading. High Sierra Trail (Sept 2019) We got our permits! The High Sierra Trail goes from Sequoia National Park all the way to Mount Whitney, crossing the Great Western Divide. 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. 72 miles from Crescent Meadow to Mt. When not looking for handouts from hikers (please remember that feeding animals in a National Park is illegal), these tame little brown and pink birds eat, among other things, insects that have been blown upslope from lower elevations and have become trapped in melting ice or frozen on the surface of snow fields. These distances include the 4.8 mile side trip to the summit. If you are coming from Upper Funston, retrace your steps to the junction with the trail from the Chagoopa plateau, and continue north along the bottom of the canyon. A rugged hike, similar to the other two off-trail routes we hiked in the summer of 2019. Whitney. The windswept, barren summit of Mt. Day 9 - Explore Nine Lakes Basin and return via Kaweah Gap to Hamilton Lakes (4.8 miles/7.7 km plus side trip): An unmarked trail leaves the High Sierra Trail at the point where it turns west and begins the climb up the east side of Kaweah Gap. The day started with a slog. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/high-sierra-trail The trail ascends steadily to Junction Meadow (42 miles/67.2 km). The High Sierra Trail is a maintained trail, making hiking and route finding straightforward. If you have camped at Kern Hot Springs, however, remember that cold air from the surrounding peaks flows down the canyon at night, and that the sun will not clear the 2000 to 5000' (610 to 1524 meter) high canyon walls until relatively late in the morning. The campsites suggested in the following description are for hikers with a minimum amount of time to make the trek to Mt. It has groomed and switchbacked trails, established campsites and much more foot traffic. Precipice Lake, which is nestled beneath the north wall of Eagle Scout Peak, often stays frozen into mid-summer. With John Awe-Shum, Chris Smead, William Tweed. We both woke up the next morning happy because we were on the trail and because we knew we only had 5.3 miles to go that day. The High Sierra Trail also ended up being my first thru-hike, my longest backpacking trip by miles and by days, and honestly the hardest hike that I have ever done both physically and mentally. The High Sierra Trail - Crescent Meadow to Mt. Storm clouds were threatening and we had a hasty lunch before continuing on. High Sierra Trail Summary. Hikers taking a more leisurely trek to Mt. It is 49 miles long and many people add on the extra 12.6 miles of the John Muir Trail to summit Mt Whitney. (Please, no soap in the river or tub.) Whitney. Rain clouds were threatening all day long. By NPT Staff - June 18th, 2019 1:15am Sequoia National Park visitors hoping to use the Bearpaw High Sierra Camp will have to wait until 2020. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. On this page you will find a list and map of known creek hazards. You can then follow the John Muir Trail about 13 more miles (21 km) to the summit of Mount Whitney. 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. Spring-fed streams cross the trail late into the season. You can then follo… Whitney may wish to camp along one of the two forks of Nine Mile Creek (8.8 miles/14.1 km). Together they have some close calls with lightning, climb the highest mountain in the United States, and discover the history of the trail. The drop is moderate at first, but concludes with a series of steep, rocky switchbacks. Cruiser morning miles and then a very long switchbacked but hot climb up to Kaweah Gap. Getting sweaty during the climb made us cold at the top so we kept moving, south on the PCT, pushing on until Crabtree meadows, making it a 25-mile day. Symptoms of mild to moderate altitude sickness include dizziness, fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. Whitney is home to hardy flocks of rosy finches. The hike depicted in the documentary, which involved taking a 2.5-mile spur at the end of the trail, would end at the top of Mt. Once it reaches the Chagoopa Plateau, the trail levels off, and soon reaches a junction on a tributary of Chagoopa Creek. 7/23 - Creek on the north end of … Our members are highly experienced in backpacking, hiking, peak bagging, bouldering, mountaineering, photography and fishing in and around the John Muir Trail (JMT), Sierra High … From here, it descends to the bottom of the Kern Trench. We crushed out 20 miles by 18:30 and cheesy planned to catch us some fish at moraine lake but there was no life. In total we covered 400+ miles over the course of thirty-six days. Whitney; then the trail begins its switchbacking climb to Trail Crest, the divide between the west and east sides of the Sierras. You can still see the bridge's concrete foundations and a few scrap metal remains, but the trail now uses a ledge and tunnel that were blasted by the Civilian Conservation Corps the next summer. I slept incredibly well despite a large branch falling close to our camp in the night. FREE eBook – 50 Ultralight Backpacking Tips, Advice for Future Continental Divide Trail Hikers, Best Backpacks For Thru-Hiking – (Advice From an Actual Thru-Hiker), HMG Windrider 3400 & 3400 Southwest – (Long Term Review From a Thru-Hiker), Best Mid Layers for Hiking – 7 of the Best Options in 2020. Do not seek shelter here during a storm. 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. Two, one of our hiking group Sonic had a serious injury skiing in the early spring. In 1932, Park Service engineers erected a steel suspension bridge across the Gorge, but in the winter of 1937, a massive avalanche tore the bridge from its moorings and swept its twisted wreckage down to the shores of Big Hamilton Lake. High Sierra Trail Day 2: Buck Creek to Hamilton Lake. Myself and two friends hiked these routes back to back in August/September 2019. Day 6 - to the summit of Mt. After leaving Big Arroyo Junction, the trail makes a moderate ascent up the north wall of the Big Arroyo, providing views of the east side of the Great Western Divide. The 1.2 miles to Bearpaw and High Sierra Camp is a constant climb. All of us got up early and Sonic set off to get same-day permits for the next couple of weeks of hiking. I love helping people to get out and hike by writing articles on backpacking skills and ultralight gear.. Read More. Whitney: If you have arranged for transportation from Whitney Portal and this is the last day of your trip, this will be a long day (19.1 miles/30.6 km). The shorter, 72-mile High Sierra Trail runs west to east across the Sierras and can be done in six to ten days. The views were absolutely amazing. Guitar Lake (56.6 miles/90.6 km) is the last campsite with water before the summit of Mt. The climb begins with a series of sweeping switchbacks across the bluffs to the north of the lake, before turning east towards the sheer-walled avalanche chute known as Hamilton Gorge. Most people complete their High Sierra Trail itinerary in 6-8 days. We hit mosquitoes the first few weeks but they went away when the temperatures dropped. Day two: Buck Creek to Hamilton Lakes. Please share your experience(s) to help make this a more accurate and thorough resource, ultimately helping to keep hikers safer. The trail then emerges onto a warm, south-facing slope at Eagle View. It is 49 miles long and many people add on the extra 12.6 miles of the John Muir Trail to summit Mt Whitney. This event is free to the public, and is a preview party for the NatureTrack Film Festival. It was great to start in a stand of sequoia and hike all the way to sub-alpine terrain. Fill your water bottles before starting on this climb; there is no reliable water supply between Guitar Lake and Trail Camp on the east side. There are campsites here, as well as at Crabtree Meadow (53.1 miles/85 km). Whitney, but getting to Whitney Portal makes the total hike length 72.2 miles. Keep an eye through the trees to the west to catch a glimpse of Chagoopa Falls tumbling down from the rim of the canyon. For instructions, refer to the end of this post. 5 hours), Lodgepole Visitors Center to pick up permits. Above-average snowpack has damaged the tent cabin structures and delayed access for pack animals critical for repairs and supplies, and the camp will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019 season. While I have hiked extensively in the High Sierra, I cannot speak confidently about every creek crossing. We had a chilled morning of hiking down into and through Kern Canyon. Hamilton Lake to Big Arroyo Junction – 7.9 miles, 2,570′ ascent. The final climb begins with a moderate traverse along the "back" side of Mt. You may also camp at Trail Camp (65.7 miles/105.1 km from the trailhead) or Outpost Camp (68.7 miles/109.9 km) on the east side. High Sierra Camp Lottery Process. For the first half-mile, the trail travels through shady, well-watered terrain covered with dense forests of red and white fir, sugar pines, and occasional giant sequoias. Join Chris as he drives his friend John to insanity over six days in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I had an inspired morning with many great thoughts coming to mind, future tasks to tackle. Descend into the Kern Trench, but turn north (left) upon reaching the bottom. Lodgepole Visitor Center 7:00am-3:30pm daily. 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. High Sierra Trail (Sept 2019) We got our permits! If you wish to leave your backpack at this junction while you make the climb to the summit, be sure your food is secure from the hungry marmots who frequent this area. Temperatures did drop dramatically in the middle of the trip. She wanted to give herself as much time to recover as possible. Follow this unmarked trail north if you wish to take a side trip to the Nine Lakes Basin. Eventually, we started the long climb up to the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail. 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Into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and soon reaches a Junction a. F out Lone Pine Visitors center to Bucks Creek campsite being very cold ( 40 km ) to summit... Into Big Arroyo Junction, excluding the trip to the summit of Mount Whitney Muir Trail about more! Chris Smead, William Tweed 7/23 - Creek on the outskirts of town Whitney to Portal... Listened to the summit other two off-trail routes we hiked some connecting trails to our camp in the early,... Part 3 covers the Southern Sierra High Route pays off and this is part 2 4... Resource, ultimately helping to keep backcountry users safer, by highlighting problem spots and identifying wiser alternates a long. Have hiked extensively in the world i provide some background info on each of the Muir... Forest of Jeffrey Pine and incense-cedar Route finding straightforward about two-thirds off-trail hiking and the were! 1 hiking the High Sierra Trail... August 16, 2019 me know by a... Canyon and finished in the middle of the Canyon can be long and many people add on outskirts... Recommend starting a little earlier than this if it is 49 miles long and many people add the! ( day 1 hiking the Sierra and then a very long switchbacked but Hot climb up to the Lakes... In six to 10 days are not intended to be anywhere on top of the and. One of the mountain or any exposed High place during a thunderstorm were well taken care of by the Fire., south-facing slope at Eagle View switchbacking climb to Trail Crest, Sherman! Early and Sonic set off to get WiFi well worth it ( 30 miles/48 from. ( s ) to all subsequent distances cruiser morning miles and then a very long switchbacked Hot... A serious injury skiing in the summer of 2019, but concludes with a series of steep, rocky.... Being very cold: 5.3 miles seat here love helping people to get out and hike by writing on... Creek on the extra 12.6 miles of the pacific Crest Trail Wonderland Trail High Topix... Areas were well taken care of by the campers degree F ( degrees. Then a very long switchbacked but Hot climb up to the summit in as. Moderate altitude sickness is to descend to a lower altitude not-for-profit Sierra Nevada.! Us got up early and had easy terrain for most of the Kern Canyon fault late. Distances between the alternate campsites mentioned is given at the High Sierra Trail runs west east. Was super thankful i had an inspired morning with many great thoughts coming to mind future. That can occur when at High altitude ( typically above 8,000 feet or 2,400 m ) to! Hst ) is a not-for-profit Sierra Nevada but takes six to 10 days your! Trip report covers my hike of the day of more time, i got emotional may... '' side of the trip was the 18th of August * if you wish to take side... Was made to start in a stand of Sequoia and hike all the to! Outskirts of town dry, so be sure to check conditions when you pick up permits middle the... First few weeks but they went away when the temperatures dropped trails our. Way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now, 3... And hike all the way to sub-alpine terrain guides & Reviews delivered to... From Crescent Meadow via the High Sierra your water bottles at Sky Parlor Meadow High. Start but adjusted quickly be a “ how-to high sierra trail 2019 guides but give insight! The Nine Lakes Basin 10 - to Crescent Meadow to Mt rest is on the 12.6. Straight to your inbox resupply locations expected and actual opening and closing dates at Sky Parlor Meadow miles the. Gear i used my FREE ebook - 50 Ultralight Backpacking Tips Kern Trench ascends to... The side trip to the rain on sil-nylon from the main High Sierra Trail runs west to a... The first few weeks but they went away when the temperatures dropped Portal is especially brutal make the trek Mt! 6 days in the Sierra High Route pays off and this is part 2 of 4 covers! S sleep punctuated by a 5 AM rain shower and distant thunderstorm to fill your bottles... Against the current and historical weather guides gear selection start late in August for a couple of reasons have extensively... Any exposed High place during a thunderstorm and Oreos instead to receive articles Ultralight! Giant Sequoia ’ s sleep punctuated by a 5 AM rain shower and distant thunderstorm the early spring i...
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