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blueBlack High Sierra Trail

  4.9 ( 18 )
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Sequoia National Park
  5. The Giant Forest
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Trail

66.5 mile 107.0 kilometer point to point
Singletrack
Intermediate/Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 15,521' 4,731 m
Descent: -13,863' -4,225 m
High: 14,453' 4,405 m
Low: 6,701' 2,042 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 8% (5°)
Max Grade: 48% (26°)

Dogs

No Dogs
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Trail shared by Aaron Groves

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“This epic trans-sierra trek is a perfect trail for both experienced and novice backpackers.”

— Aaron Groves
GPX File

Features Hot Spring · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife · Commonly Backpacked

Bear canisters required.

Description

The High Sierra Trail (HST) is an epic 73 mile trek across the sierras ending with a Mt. Whitney summit. 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. The trail then descends into the beautiful Big Arroyo before beginning a steady climb up to the Chagoopa Plateau.

Once again the hiker will lose hard gained elevation and drop down over 3,000 feet into the Kern River Canyon. While in the Kern River Canyon, sore-footed hikers will enjoy the natural hot spring tub alongside the mighty Kern River. The trail then continues up the bottom of the Kern Canyon and turns east, climbing parallel to Wallace Creek and merging with the John Muir Trail Segment 7, 49 miles from the starting point. Once on JMT Segment 7, the hiker can then follow the John Muir Trail about 13 more miles to the summit of Mount Whitney. With Whitney bagged, most hiker will continue the remaining 12 miles downhill to Whitney Portal to complete the trail.

Flora & Fauna

Mule deer, bear, good fishing in many lakes along the way.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

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Check-Ins

Sep 10, 2018
Lily Dinkins
44mi
Jul 3, 2018
Gisele Guerra
Sep 9, 2017
Aaron Groves
Aug 27, 2017
Peter Musso
Absolutely incredible trail, be sure to add Crabtree lakes if you have time 90mi
Aug 11, 2017
Eric McClain
Crescent meadows to Whitney portal. 72.2mi
Aug 9, 2017
Neil McL
72mi
Jul 31, 2017
Ben C
Amazing Hike! We did an out and back from Crescent Meadow to Hamilton, to Tamarack, then back. 40mi
Jul 16, 2017
Nivardo Gutierrez
13mi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 18 votes

#1

in The Giant Forest

#45

Overall
  4.9 from 18 votes
5 Star
94%
4 Star
6%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in The Giant Forest

#5

in California

#45

Overall
229 Views Last Month
6,149 Since Jul 5, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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6%
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18%
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Photos

Hiker and forest in Kern Canyon on High Sierra Trail.
Hiker and forest in Kern Canyon on High Sierra…
 5
Hamilton Gorge Tunnel - High Sierra Trail
Hamilton Gorge Tunnel - High Sierra Trail
 3
Climbing up the chute
Climbing up the chute
 3
Looking east near Eagle View
Looking east near Eagle View
 3
Tired and happy to be on the summit of Mt. Whitney, a pair of hikers enjoys their accomplishment.
Tired and happy to be on the summit of Mt. Whit…
 3
Gorgeous views abound while climbing Mt. Whitney's Mountaineer's Route.
Gorgeous views abound while climbing Mt. Whitne…
 3

1 Comment

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Mike Jones
Mike Jones  
I wrote a very detailed trip report here for an early June hike of the High Sierra Trail: cattywampur.com/2016/06/11/… May 19, 2017

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