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| Backpack | 76.00 Miles |
17,490 AEG |
| | Backpack | 76.00 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 17,490 ft AEG | | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | 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' pass known as Kaweah Gap. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. 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 from the starting point. You can then follow the John Muir Trail about 13 more miles to the summit of Mount Whitney.
Day 1 - to Bearpaw Meadow (12 miles)
Day 2 - to Big Arroyo Junction (13 miles)
Day 3 - to Junction Meadow (18 miles)
Day 4 - to Crabtree Meadow and Guitar Lake(15 miles)
Day 5 - to the summit of Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal (18 miles)
Day 1 - to Bearpaw Meadow (12 miles) - The trail starts from Crescent Meadow on the southeast edge of the Giant Forest. 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 from the trail. You will pass junction that connects the High Sierra and Alta Trails (hiked in June).
The final destination for today is Bearpaw Meadow area 11.4 miles from the trailhead. 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 2 - to Big Arroyo Junction (13 miles) - East of Bearpaw, you begin your ascent into the Great Western Divide. Hamilton Lake is a popular site for camping and fishing. After Hamilton Lake you go up and up and soon reach the alpine zone of the Sierras. Precipice Lake is your next goal and after that Kaweah Gap! From the pass you descent to Big Arroyo Junction.
Day 3 - to Junction Meadow (18 miles) - the trail follows the Kern river trail all the way to Kern Hot Springs and further to Junction Meadow.
Day 4 - to Crabtree Meadow and Guitar Lake(15 miles) - the trail rejoins with JMT and you will pass several campsites near Crabtree Meadow and the ranger station. We decided to camp by Guitar lake again as we really liked it last time. Guitar Lake is the last campsite before Whitney.
Day 5 - to the summit of Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal (18 miles) - we already know the drill!! Getting up really early and hiking up to the Whitney junction, leave our packs and day hike to the summit. We enjoyed summit meal and then made our way back. Picked up the bags and followed the switchbacks down to Whitney Portal. |
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