The High Sierra Trail is the little brother to the John Muir Trail. If you want to shuttle it, what you would do is leave your car in Visalia and take the Sequoia Shuttle. The High Sierra Trail (HST) is a hiking trail in Sequoia National Park, California. The Sierra High Route is one of the most spectacular and challenging treks in North America. For those who can’t get along without their lounge chairs, a box of books, an artist’s easel or a case of wine, there is the option of hiring mules. On Saturday morning, we drove 7.5 hours from the Bay Area, CA to Whitney Portal, dropped off one car there, and then drove 4 hours to our hotel in Visalia for the night. Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. The whole 72 miles, West to East across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, that make up the High Sierra Trail. Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. 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. High Sierra Trail: Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal is a 72 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Stony Creek Village, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Don't confuse the High Sierra Trail(HST), a 50 mile or so named trail, from Crescent Meadow(CM) in Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP to a junction with the JMT mear Wallace Creek, with the High Sierra Route(HSR), which is a route designed by Steve Roper, involving MUCH off trail … The trail starts at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park and ends at Whitney Portal near Lone Pine, CA. Length 72 miElevation gain 15475 ftRoute type Point to point Together they have some close calls with lightning, climb the highest mountain in the … Upon hiking out, start heading back to the Bay Area and pick up the other car in Visalia on the way. With space tight at the five camps and a very short season, from late June through early September, a lottery decides admission. About a quarter were repeat customers. The High Sierra Trail is one of the premier wilderness experiences in the world, cutting across Sequoia National Park from East to West, passing by Bearpaw High Sierra Camp. For the Kelley family, the Sunrise camp was the perfect spot for a family reunion. Showers usually provided at the Sunrise camp were eliminated in early August this year because of a drought. Hamilton Lake to Big Arroyo Junction – 7.9 miles, 2,570′ ascent. As would happen time and again, we moved along thinking the best was behind us, only to be wowed by yet another marvel. Contact me here and say hi :). When you pass each other on the trail, you swap keys to drive the other group's car upon exiting and then plan to reunite at a predetermined meeting spot to swap back cars. The unpublicized deadline to apply is Nov. 30. 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 … Not much more to explain here. Once in Lone Pine, the Eastern Sierra Transit Bus runs from Lone Pine to Mojave ($22 per person), and then the Greyhound bus offers routes from Mojave back to Visalia, CA ($20 per person). How to Plan Transportation for the High Sierra Trail, High Sierra Trail Day 1 — Crescent Meadow to 9 Mile Creek, Hiking the Aspen Forests of Inner Basin Trail — Flagstaff, AZ, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail overview, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days, High Sierra Trail Day 6 — Guitar Lake 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. Hikers are placed in four- or six-person tents, with groups fewer than four usually assigned a roommate or two. The High Sierra Trail goes from Sequoia National Park all the way to Mount Whitney, crossing the Great Western Divide. Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA, Zebra Slot Canyon - Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, UT, Guaranteed car right when you finish your trip, Allows for flexibility - you can start and finish at any time and change your plans if necessary, which was useful since we finished a whole two days earlier than expected, Requires a LOT of redundant back and forth on windy mountainous roads, Saves time - no need to drive the same roads back and forth, Can sleep on the buses and shuttles while someone else drives, No flexibility - you're tied to set pickups and rigid bus schedules that you reserved in advance, You have a long series of bus rides to get back to your trip, not the number one thing people want to do when they finish a week long backpacking trip, The option with the least amount of repetitive driving, You have a car right waiting for you at the finish, Requires relying on another group to show up and fulfill their end of the deal, otherwise you're hitch hiking back to your car at the start, Requires entrusting your car to the other person or group, No need to worry about booking transportation and following scheduled pickups, Requires relying on the kindness of a passing stranger. The difference this time was that he stopped overnight at several mountain way stations — rustic camps nestled along a brook, or a lake, or a meadow that provide hikers with good meals, clean drinking water, bathrooms and beds with plenty of blankets in cozy canvas tents with wood-burning stoves. “I’m more ‘Take me to the local Hilton’ for a vacation or ‘Let’s go on a cruise.’ ”. The opening segment of the High Sierra Trail is perhaps one of the most beautiful footpaths in the western half of Sequoia. The High Sierra Trail also ended up being my first thru-hike, my longest backpacking … Karen Kelley, 70, and her husband, Kalon, 68, both experienced hikers from Santa Barbara, Calif., walked a challenging 30-mile loop from Tuolumne Meadows to rendezvous at the Sunrise camp with their son from Sacramento, who hiked eight miles straight uphill from Tenaya Lake with his wife and two boys, 6 and 3. Looking back on the trip, if I were to hike the High Sierra Trail again, I would opt for a combination of driving two cars and utilizing the available shuttles: 1. Last summer, a lot older and wiser, he discovered he could hike the same breathtaking wilderness with much less hassle or pain. Whitney in the East and exiting Crescent Meadow. Drop off one car at Whitney Portal and drive to Visalia. In addition to the giant sequoias, which served as the original inspiration for creating a national park, the park now included the highest el… “I’m just not a hiker,” she said. The High Sierra trail, within Sequoia, starts in Crescent Meadows, which is home to three of the five largest trees in the world. You have a couple options depending on your budget, how flexible you are, where you are coming from, and the time of year. “It’s backpacking for sissies” is how my friend Alice Cantelow characterized the camps when, as energetic teenagers 40 years ago, we hiked past a cluster of canvas bungalows where guests had gathered for a tasty repast. After running up the bottom of the Kern Canyon, it turns east, climbing parallel to Wallace Creek u… Applications are available by calling (559) 253-5674 or at www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_HighSierra_HowtoApply.aspx. The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. 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 … Stretching approximately 195 miles (314 km) north to south through the Sierra Nevada, it is a … About … In four days of hiking, a single Band-Aid wrapper was the only piece of trash I saw on the trail. The next day catch the first Sequoia Shuttle ($15) and use the free in park shuttles to pick up your permit from Lodgepole Visitor Center before starting your hike. Sitting down to a gourmet meal at a table with other hikers is a far cry from how Jack Yocum, 62, a veteran backpacker and woodsman, had ever experienced the High Sierras. Purists have long decried their presence in the midst of John Muir’s pristine wilderness and denigrated their comforts. According to the Yosemite Decimal System, the HST is a Class 1/Class 2 … AS a Boy Scout years ago, John Garretson hiked into Yosemite’s rugged wilderness, plodding up the steep mountain trail under the weight of a backpack loaded with a sleeping bag, tent, clothes and fishing gear. The Sequoia Shuttle would take you as far as the Giant Forest Museum, where you would have to get off and catch the free Sequoia National Park shuttle (green line) to the Lodgepole Visitor Center to pick up your permit. You can even opt to stay in a town closer to the park to reduce the drive in on your hike in day. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. BUT years later, as my old bones began to ache at the thought of sleeping on the hard ground, and a heavy backpack seemed more like punishment than vacation, I was tempted by the comforts of the High Sierra Camps. The High Sierra Trail is a fully developed trail in Sequoia National Park. Our journey started at Tuolumne Meadows, following the rippling water of the Tuolumne River that eventually roared down a gorge so beautiful to behold that we could hardly focus on our footing. The trail crosses the Sierra Nevada from west to east. From there the HST … “We kept them going with M & Ms and promises of seeing their grandpa at the top of the mountain,” said the boys’ mother, Liane Randolph. Here are some of my favorite snacks, breakfasts, lunch, and dinner meal ideas for your next backcountry trip, Outdoor gear is not cheap, so here are a couple of tips I’ve found that have helped me save a little on gear, Here's our 10 day road trip itinerary along with things to do on New Zealand's south island to help you plan your trip. We trudged onward and later pitched our own camp, made a fire, boiled some dehydrated hamburgers for dinner, then struggled to hang a bear-bag to keep our food safe while we slept — fitfully. Once doing so, you'd then hop back on the green line back to Giant Forest Museum, where you can switch to the Sequoia National Park shuttle grey line to finally get to your trailhead, Crescent Meadow. Whitney, High Sierra Trail Day 5 — Junction Meadow to Guitar Lake, High Sierra Trail Day 4 — Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow, High Sierra Trail Day 3 — Hamilton Lake to Moraine Lake, High Sierra Trail Day 2 — 9 Mile Creek to Hamilton Lake, How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear, New Zealand South Island 10 Day Roadtrip Itinerary for the Outdoor Lover, Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail — Mammoth, CA, Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. Yet, though they may not admit it, the most exciting view of the day for a lot of hikers is a quiet cluster of little white canvas bungalows at the end of a long hike. Free standard ground shipping when you meet the minimum order amount indicated, before taxes and shipping charges. This method is ideal for those coming from the Bay Area, CA and backpacking the High Sierra Trail in season (between May and Sep) when the shuttles are running. Map of the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Kaweah Gap, Sequoia National Park, along with a trail elevation profile. Some reserve space at all five camps so they can hike the entire trail. “It worked best if I moved really slow and walked like a duck,” he said. Yosemite has 800 miles of trail, and while the High Sierra loop is relatively short, it winds up and down through a spectacular sample of the park’s most scenic wilderness. You can even stay at certain hotels to leave your car overnight while you are gone (more info here), and the shuttle comes as early as 6AM. With lodging and meals provided by the camps, the only essentials a hiker needs to pack are water bottles, a jacket, a poncho and a First Aid kit — though some hikers load up with toiletries, extra clothes and shoes that can add 20 pounds. Each camp has room for about 40 people a night. And showers are not offered at the Vogelsang and Glen Aulin camps. “We’re here because he wanted me to come with him,” said his wife, Carole, who wore stylish exercise warm-ups and gold earrings. Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. While most of the trail is beautifully graded, the climb over the Kaweah Gap, the descent into the Kern Trench, and the ascent/descent of Mount Whitney are challenging.Expect knee-busting sections of rock-formed steps during big ascents and descents. Planning:Backpacking the High Sierra Trail overviewWhat I packed for the High Sierra TrailMy favorite backpacking meals to pack, Itinerary:Day 1: Crescent Meadow to 9 Mile CreekDay 2: 9 Mile Creek to Hamilton LakeDay 3: Hamilton Lake to Moraine LakeDay 4: Moraine Lake to Junction MeadowDay 5: Junction Meadow to Guitar LakeDay 6: Guitar Lake out to Whitney Portal, Tagged: hst, transportation, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, Eastern Sierra, backpacking, CA, I'm Alice, a weekend hiker and outdoor adventurer based out of the Bay Area in California. Kenny Karst/DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite Inc. In our case the group would have to be hiking in from Mt. 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. From weather and wildlife to details on what to pack, we can help you plan for the trail … High Sierra Topix (HST) is a not-for-profit Sierra Nevada adventure community resource created by its members, for its members. The staff tries to keep groups together in the same tent. What to eat while backpacking? High Sierra Trail Summary. Join Chris as he drives his friend John to insanity over six days in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. “You have never seen the Milky Way until you’ve been there.”. 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 … Because we went so late in the season (second to last week in September), the Sequoia Shuttle had already stopped running for the season, so we decided to set up a car shuttle even though it would mean more driving on our part. This famous hike crosses some of the … Temperatures are warmest in August and September, but water is less plentiful, and shortages can shut down the showers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until November. One of Yosemite National Park’s best-kept secrets is the 53-mile High Sierra Trail, which loops through alpine meadows and jagged granite mountain passes as high as 10,300 feet. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! In a clear and … There are considerable elevation changes between camps, situated at altitudes ranging from 7,800 to 10,300 feet, so hikers should be prepared for steep switchbacks. Obviously this game plan relies on you placing a whole lot of faith in the other group following through and entrusting them with your car, so ideally they are another group of friends you are familiar with, or an acquaintance from online forums like High Sierra Topix or Backpacking Light. This transportation plan reduces the amount of redundant driving on the same roads, allows for plans to change by having your own car at the trail end, and is cost efficient. Beginning at Crescent Meadow, follow the paved path briefly until the High Sierra Trail … The next day, the day we would be hiking in, we drove an hour and 40 minutes to the Crescent Meadow trailhead and left our second car there while we started our backpacking trip. 3. Mr. Garretson, 65, recalled that in his youth, he dreaded going uphill, but discovered during his recent trip that downhill was harder on his aging knees, especially the 3,000-foot descent from the Vogelsang camp to the one at Merced Lake. Additional space usually becomes available beginning April 1 because of cancellations. Join Chris as he drives his friend John to … 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. Mr. Bullock said the summer skies are amazing at the Vogelsang camp, at 10,300 feet, where winters bring as much as 30 feet of snow. Since the High Sierra Trail is a one way hike crossing over two mountain ranges, planning out the logistics of transportation and shuttles can be a little tricky. Price. From the … The nightly cost per person this year was $136 a person for lodging and two meals, with the option of buying a sack lunch for the 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. Stay the night in Visalia at a hotel that approves longterm overnight parking. The trail is well maintained and absolutely free of litter. Hikers may reserve space for groups no larger than eight. This 72 mile … The 6,000-foot descent from atop Mount Whitney to Whitney Portal is especially brutal. 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