But despite the logistical challenges, the High Sierra Trail was well worth the trouble. After joining back together with the other fork of the High Sierra Trail, the long, ~2500 foot descent into the Kern Canyon begins. 40.7k members in the PacificCrestTrail community. The trail starts from the northern side of the large parking lot. The lack of wing walls and a short bridge span causes loss of bridge approach during high water. Next is a simple and easy stretch at the midpoint of the High Sierra Trail. High Sierra Trail Part 1 - Lodgepole Campground, Wolverton to Buck Creek Crossing Day Zero: Los Angeles, CA to Lodgepole Campground, Sequoia National Park: 225 miles (drive) - 6,467 feet elevation gain. This junction is the beginning of a gradual, hot climb out of Big Arroyo. That was Not very many mosquitoes and bear boxes available here. The peak to the north of the Gap is named after him. It started coming down around 2:40 when we’re just above the JMT junction (around 1.5-ish miles; see the recording for more accuracy). The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. There is no camping at the hot spring, but a few hundred feet down the trail you'll find campsites and bear boxes. DO NOT take the trail to the campground! This trail was breathtaking in beauty and elevation. View, a point where we can see all the way up the valley to Bike Abuse, Big Pigs, Singletrack & Water Crossings in the High Sierra Read More Hiking the High Sierra Trail. times I have hiked this trail had the air been clear. Creek. High Sierra Trail. The trail travels through the Merced River canyon and is often hot and sunny. A simple step across. Water crossings do that, even if they're full of stones. 6/27 - Between Kern Hot Springs & JMT Junction, trail is stock passable. It is hot in the sun-exposed areas of the Kern Canyon, but the river is a great place to cool off. Hamilton Lake. **There are many trip reports on the web to get info but we mostly found these to be helpful planning our trek. If you are not camping here and just passing through on the HST, stay straight. Western Divide gets closer. It’s supposed to be at least 2k of elevation gain but this app says otherwise. Enjoy plenty of views, small creek crossings, and chances to see wildflowers and wildlife. Czarina coming from Northern CA, already spent the night there. The High Sierra Trail to Mt Whitney is a challenging 75-mile trek whose scenery ranges from the giant forest of Sequoia National park, gorgeous mountain lakes, the Kern River Valley and of course the rocky jagged terrain of Mt Whitney. Trail Camp is busy but some people really enjoy the socialization the camp has to offer. Long before backpacking became a sport, people like Joseph Le Conte, Theodore Solomons, and Norman Clyde … From this junction, the High Sierra Trail continues to the right where it will meet the John Muir Trail in approximately 3 miles. Trail Crest is often confused with the Trail Junction (POI 2). Wildflowers are 3 feet high as we traverse the river canyon Only once in the many There is no water access at this junction, even though you can hear the Kern River nearby. Or, move on to the next creek crossing (Buck) or to the backpacker camp at Bearpaw Meadow. High Sierra Trail: Ninemile Creek to Bearpaw Meadow, Giant Forest Museum to Wuksachi Lodge via Rimrock Trail, Moro Rock, Eagle View, and Huckleberry Trail Loop, High Sierra Trail: Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal. At this waypoint the trail crosses a bridge across Lone Pine Creek. From Buck, the trail climbs 600 ft to Bearpaw Meadow. available on the conditions. Keep a close eye on all of your food and keep it packed away in the bear box or your bear canister when not in use. ... At the trail crossing the water is about a foot deep. Then then descend into BAM was just as bad for mosquitoes. Buck creek is the second campsite opportunity along the High Sierra Trail. This is the first established camping area along the High Sierra Trail. The impact of its graceful aesthetic on visitors like John Muir almost singlehandedly created the modern environmental movement. There is a hole that is packed with little brook trout so if you've brought a fishing pole along it's worth a few casts. We are on the trail early and across Mehrton Before too long you'll reach the junction to Wallace Creek. The meadow in between Precipice Lake and Kaweah Gap has TONS of mosquitoes. The summit of Whitney is about a 3000 foot climb from Guitar Lake. Beyond that, there are rare “reassurance markers”. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle. Garbage bins and pit toilets seem like luxury. It was a full moon Holy crap the uphill climb today was never ending. It starts off moderate but turns into tight, rocky, steep switchbacks. Towering above you is Mount Whitney (though the summit is out of sight), and the peaks of the Kaweahs poke out to the west. And its recreational history goes back almost 150 years. Saw a bear with her cub in Bearpaw Meadow. There is a bear box here, but you should also be carrying a bear canister - bears are very active at this site! It is level as it crosses the Kaweah Tributaries of Panther, Mehrton, First day. The trail starts at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park and ends at Whitney Portal near Lone Pine, CA. This is the official Starting Point of the High Sierra Trail! This app sucks. At Whitney Portal your senses will be assaulted: noise, crowds, cars, screaming kids, barking dogs, frying burgers, cold beer. I can’t believe it’s almost over and I’m almost back to the car/civilization once again. Here, the terrain is a bit more open than what is found at 9-mile creek. .The first 14 or so miles of the High Sierra This is a great route for wildflower and wildlife photography. and flush toilets 11 1/2 miles down the High Sierra Trail. As the sun moves across the sky throughout the day, the colors in the lake change from greens and turquoises to blues and greys, golds and coppers at sunset, finally fading to a midnight blue and solid black. Whitney. The proposed location for the new High Sierra Crossing Museum is situated near the existing Emigrant Trail Museum in an area of both prehistoric and historic archaeological sensitivity. It's a bit discouraging to lose this elevation while staring at the big climb ahead, but the scenery has now opened up and towering rocks and deep canyons are a nice distraction from those thoughts. the view of the Valley. places. From Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow... it is around 16.3 miles. It was so intense and I was thoroughly so scared that my stuff would be soaked if the hail storm didn’t stop. 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. Make sure to take a day in Sequoia to see everything. Low-water crossings and fords are road and trail stream crossing structures designed to be overtopped by high flows, debris, or ice-laden flows. California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. Here the trail climbs 700 feet of switchbacks to the mouth of Evolution Valley. If you were thinking about doing this trail this year may be your best opportunity! Starting early from Guitar Lake is a good way to cover this stretch in a day. If you have a sharp eye, keep a lookout for Mount Whitney in the distance. Bears and marmots are active in this area. Today was ROUGH. 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. The bridge sits high above the water which is rushing through a rocky gorge. If you started off the day at 9-Mile Creek or Buck Creek, you've climbed about 2000 feet already. A mile in you'll be standing atop Kaweah Gap, the pass which marks the trail's crossing of the Great Western Divide. It's not a clear view, but it's the first peek you'll get of the highest point in the lower 48 states, one you'll hopefully be standing on in a few short days. The ascend out of BAM was rough because it was mostly exposed (all sun) and going up to the second highest part of the day as well. Differences in water quality downstream vs. upstream from meadows grazed by pack stock were not detectable for most water-quality indicators, however, Escherichia coli concentrations decreased downstream, suggesting entrapment and die-off of fecal indicator bacteria in meadows. The NPS website is a complete lie... it is NOT 13.7 miles from Moraine Lake. Here is what … Read More Company. The water pump is straight ahead. There are 13 natural hot springs in the ground all a short hike from Mono Hot Springs Resort. Continue up the valley to McClure Meadow. Super stoked to be 75% done with the HST. Tom However, there is no water source so if you are planning on this make sure to carry all of the water you will need. The snow covered Great Western The trail is now passing the 11,000 foot mark, and even having been on the trail for a while, you'll likely feel it. What an epic trip! The High Sierra Trail Route - Sequoia National Park. Bears Fill all your water bottles here before departing. It was clear that winter conditions existed in the Beautiful trail and because of the closure at Whitney portal, we had the trail all to ourselves. As the High Sierra Trail tops the ridge, a sign identifies the campground. It’s failed me in the past & stayed failed again. The second stretch is exposed alpine terrain. Trail crest marks where the trail crosses the ridge and begins the descent down the eastern side of the peak. At the Gap, look for the nearby plaque honoring Col. George Stewart, founder of Sequoia National Park. No camping is allowed until you get at least 2 miles beyond the trailhead, but finding a campsite sooner than the 9-mile mark is difficult. Cart. We were also talking about maybe setting up rope lines to help hikers cross as part of our angel efforts. usually filled with campers. Day 4 Sunrise High Sierra Camp to Tuolomne Meadows Got up early, started out with Suzie and Scott, the grad students, and Richard the anesthetist from San Diego. more spectacular than sun glow. Stay left on the trail (toward Hamilton Lake). Meadow on the West side of the Sierra to Mount Whitney on the Check for specific regulations before heading out and enjoy some great fishing where you can. You'll also find a lot of people out here, considering the distance from the nearest trailhead. Blasted out of solid granite, this tunnel was built after attempts to build a bridge across the gorge failed (pesky avalanches). Eat little but often. Even friendlier if you have food out. At the junction there are many campsites. When you return home, send in your updates. noon and the water is low. But although these things aren't for us rugged backpackers, there are some opportunities here. At the junction, make sure to pick up your Wag Bag. Surrounded by a boulder field, Precipice is not an easy or particularly hospitable place to camp, but it has been done. The High Sierra is considered called the Mt. The trail itself is beautiful, stunning views, plenty of flowers and wildlife. Piute Pass. From this point until the end of the trail, you are required to carry out everything including your solid waste. It contains important information. Because of the extreme conditions, many PCT hikers are choosing to skip over the High Sierra … the peak, 78 miles if you do not. I want anything and everything but dehydrated food. Wie schon 2013 hatte ich die Möglichkeit auf eine wissenschaftliche Konferenz in die USA zu fahren, was natürlich bedeutete, dass … There is a restroom with running water and a large parking area here but very little else so the crowds are sparse. Fill up your water here - the next reliable source is at Crabtree Meadow. From here, the trail climbs another ~800 feet in 2.5 miles to Guitar Lake at 11,400 feet. love every minute of it. 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. By heading upstream on a use-trail for a quarter mile to a meadow, you will find a shallower ford. © Copyright 1998-2000 Rob At night, cold air settles into the Kern Canyon, making for quite a contrast with the heat of the day. To the right, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. You may travel for miles between seeing a PCT symbol. The next reliable water source is Moraine Lake or Chagoopa Creek. Its This section is open because of the There is plenty of room on the summit for the crowds of people you are likely to encounter. So happy to have made it here to Hamilton Lake!!! Crossing them requires a great deal of experience and nerve. ColumbiaFinger. who had braved the sierra. For instructions, refer to the end of this post. One motivation to starting early from Guitar Lake is to avoid the dayhiker crowd on the summit - I've had the summit nearly to myself by doing this! From here, it is approximately a 2500 foot climb to Kaweah Gap so if you are continuing on, this is a great place for a long rest to recharge the batteries. Absolutely breathtaking. For those who don't Physically drained too. This trailhead is an optional starting point for the High Sierra Trail. The hike through the canyon can be extremely hot, but hiking it in the morning allows you to stay in the shade for a long time. The trail crosses this creek at the top of a waterfall and the view is spectacular. After summiting, it's about 11 miles and 6000 feet of descent to the trailhead. The trek is 82 miles if you bag the peak, 78 miles if you do not. Worst recording ever! There are excellent views down the Kern Canyon on this stretch of trail. The High Sierra Trail is a moderate to strenuous 61.5-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. The trail slowly climbs about 1000 feet in 11 miles to Bearpaw Meadow. lower falls hundreds of feet. A backcountry ranger station, campsites, water access, and a bear box will greet you at Crabtree Ranger Station. any I had experienced. last 1/2 mile to Bearpaw is a 600' uphill. In other words, do not rely on this as a water source. Didn't have 2 cars to do this trail point-to-point, so we did an out and back from crescent meadow to seven lakes basin and back to crescent meadow. This can be a tricky section in the early season - snow and ice lingers in this shadowy canyon and you may have to negotiate some of it. On the west is a long trickling waterfall from the It is wise to rest and enjoy Buck Creek (it has a concrete bridge) because the last 1.3 miles gains 600 vertical feet and is without water. Whitney. You will still see the cables and concrete footings for the attempted bridges, but now the trail is cut out of the solid granite. The trek is 82 miles if you bag From Mount Whitney to the road is an 11mile trail Whether in an urban or rural setting, LightGuard Systems has a robust, easy-to-install lighted crosswalk safety solution for trails and pedestrian crossings, including: Each paragraph below roughly corresponds to a day on the trail, although there are many ways to break up the hike, and day hikes are also possible. It's truly a magical thing to experience - make sure to take time to stop and take in the amazing views. This is another easy place to get water. USGS maps show a lake at this location, but the lake has long been dry. Soon you'll be climbing into the high country, so if you want one more night in the comfort of the thick forests below treeline, Junction Meadow is it. The 6,000-foot descent from atop Mount Whitney to Whitney Portal is especially brutal. This segment goes a western-approach climb of Mount Whitney: Guitar Lake. Hamilton Lake is a perfect place for a swim and fish, with a beach-like area to lull you into a long rest if only passing through. Explore the most popular trails in my list High Sierra Trail with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. This trail is truly special and I loved every minute of it! Upon meeting Wallace Creek (which is far below you), the trail turns to the east until you eventually meet it at the junction with the JMT. In slightly less than a mile we reach Eagles integrity of the crossing during high water low by erosion and scouring. It is often used as a basecamp for the trail crews working on the rugged trail above, so make sure to stop and say thanks if you see them. In August, a large variety of wildflowers bloom through here. Grab one because between here and the end of the trail, you have to carry it all out with you. The winter of 1998 was unlike My blisters are wickedly painful and I definitely wouldn’t be okay to walk uphill today if it hadn’t been for Dr. Kristin who helped treat them yesterday. A focus on the HYOH and LNT … Permits & Bus to TH info - https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wilderness_permits.htm Pps- I got chased by 2 bees today!! East is the top of the glaciers It is also the first time you realize the reality of the huge climb you have in front of you! #37309 06/10/14 07:24 AM. Do not seek shelter here during a storm. The lack of wing walls and a short bridge span causes loss of bridge approach during high water. 1. 6/29 - About 25 … Joined: Apr 2011 Luckily, it did and the sun came out for the rest of the evening. But while hiking down Kerrick/Rancheria creek, she walked past four or five snow bridges, the last one being about 1.7 miles from the trail crossing. You'll pass the remains of an old sheep herder's cabin and through a forest of burnt tree trunks. This was a high snow/water year, so with that, it was also a high mosquito year! Divide is to the east and the ridge that separates the valley for years & years. Expect a crowd. We warranty bags to let you focus on the adventure, not your gear. It's worth a quick side trip, and also offers some nice campsites (including bear boxes). To the west, you get views of Hitchcock Lakes far below you. After the long, hot descent you'll enjoy this creek crossing. 6. Made famous by Ansel Adams' "Frozen Lake and Cliffs", Precipice Lake is one of the jewels of the Sierra. 'building' on the right. You will find a bridge over a gorge but it's another mile until easy water. Feet are filled with blisters and I met a group of 8 (all family). Got to mehren creek and camped at designated campsite above the trail and close to the creek Up to 60% Off + Extra 20% Off see details. amazing. Finally, you'll reach Crabtree Meadow where there is a backcountry ranger station, places to camp, and water access. Since the trail is narrow, remember that you should yield to uphill hikers (though you'll find many will welcome the opportunity for a breather). Pure beauty. There is a dry campsite here at Panther Gap (no water). bridge, then climb to Hamilton Falls. Reynolds | >> Part 2 >>, GentlEye Home | Photo From this point on, the John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Trail are one and the same. Stayed with the 2 families today and boy oh boy am I glad! Kaweah Gap was passable with a bit of trail finding through very small snowy areas. Seeing a PCT symbol Valley and the sun came out for the next day at Whitney is. The PCT to gather and share information as in many years, there is classic... ' on the trail starts at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park Service and completed... Which wasn ’ t stop will go through a dense field of ferns - this is great. 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