High Sierra Trail

Dogs No Dogs

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

The High Sierra Trail (HST) takes the traveller on 73-mile, point-to-point journey over the Sierra Nevada crest and up the summit of Mt. Whitney - the highest point in the contiguous United States. It experiences a variety of the Sierra's ecozones and watersheds, from river valleys to alpine meadows, starting at 6,700' elevation up to 14,000' and back. Many people do this as a backpacking trip over the course of six days.

A High Sierra Trail permit is needed to access the HST between Seven Mile Hill and Kaweah Gap. A permit for the Alta Trail is not valid for travel on this segment of High Sierra Trail. Being within a national park and a designated wilderness area, other specific regulations apply as well. One of these is that bear canisters are required for food storage. See the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Wilderness Permits page on recreation.gov for more information.

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, then traverses the Great Western Divide at Kaweah Gap 10,700 feet.

The trail next 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 can 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. Most hikers will continue the remaining 12 miles downhill to Whitney Portal to complete the trail as a point-to-point.

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