Guides
Crescent Meadow/Wolverton to 9-Mile Creek
This is the first of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern slope. Each segment roughly corresponds to a day on the trail. This Guide describes Segment 1 of 7: Crescent Meadow/Wolverton to 9-Mile Creek. The...
An easy stroll out of the Lodgepole Campground.
Like Yosemite Valley, Tokopah Valley was shaped by a glacier. This trail leads you under the canopy of pines and firs as you pass an occassional meadow and creek-crossings.
The summit of this hike offers an amazing view of the Silliman Crest and the Great Western Divide.
Located 1.5 miles south of Dorst Campground, the Little Baldy trailhead is marked by a large sign on the east side of the road. After two switchbacks, you are guided through a quiet forest before the trail opens up onto the top of an open granite dome.
9-Mile Creek to Precipice Lake
This is the second of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern slope. Each segment roughly corresponds to a day on the trail. This Guide describes Segment 2 of 7: 9-Mile Creek to Precipice Lake. This stretch...
A popular loop trail that begins at the General Sherman Tree.
The trail honors that all national parks in the U.S. have been created by our Congress. This popular trail begins at the General Sherman Tree and takes you into the heart of the Giant Forest. It is also a pleasant snow-shoe in the winter months.
A moderate dayhike or overnighter to a subalpine lake just outside Sequoia National Park.
Jennie Lake is a pretty Sierra Nevada subalpine lake. It is not the prettiest such lake, but it is pretty, and cool on a warm summer day, and relatively easy to get to, and there are no backpacker quota restrictions. This makes it a good place to go without much advance planning as well as a popular destination - it is not a hike for solitude. The...
A paved, accessible trail across from the Giant Forest Museum.
This easy, paved trail offers several educational displays focusing on the giant sequoia ecosystem.
Precipice Lake to Moraine Lake
This is the third of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern slope. Each segment roughly corresponds to a day on the trail. This Guide describes Segment 3 of 7: Precipice Lake to Moraine Lake. After a satisfying...
Upper Kern Canyon to Guitar Lake
This is the sixth of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern slope. Each segment roughly corresponds to a day on the trail. This Guide describes Segment 6 of 7: Upper Kern Canyon to Guitar Lake. This segment...
Day 1 of 6 on the John Muir Trail (JMT): Bishop Pass to Kearsarge Pass.
This guide represents Day 1 of 6, hiking from Bishop Pass to Kearsarge Pass. The entire 58 mile journey will follow 41 southbound miles of the John Muir Trail (JMT). The Bishop Pass Trail, as it is named, will lead up over Bishop Pass and down to the LeConte Canyon where you will officially join the JMT. During this 11 mile segment you will climb...
Guitar Lake to Mount Whitney Summit and the descent to Whitney Portal
This is the last of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern slope. Each segment roughly corresponds to a day on the trail. This Guide describes Segment 7 of 7: Guitar Lake to Mount Whitney Summit and the descent...
Hike California's Amazing State Highpoint, also the highest point in the lower 48 States
On this very long day you will climb from Whitney Portal at 8,365' to 14,505' over 22 miles round trip. This peak is the highest point in the lower 48 but because it is so far south it contains no glaciers and is a non-technical ascent. It is best to camp at least one night at Whitney Portal to get your body a little used to the altitude. During...
Trips
Two day ascent of the highest peak in contiguous US.
On the longest day of the year - five letshikers took off to scale Alta Peak. Bright clear crisp day - perfect for climbing. Peak is at 11,200 ft - Net vertical climb is 4,200 ft - but with ups and downs we clocked 5221 feet up.Exhausting and Exhilarating - the vistas and views are to die for!
drove up to Sequoia National Park. To find the trail head, look for Wolverton Skie and Recreation Area. The trail starts right there from the parking lot.There many trails that branch off, but there are signs at every fork, so don't worry about finding your way. The first 4 miles are mid-difficulty, very nice views, mostly between trees.The last 2 miles are the most difficult part, 29% grade, you go up 2000...
Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, at 14450 feet high, is a big challenge for most people. I got the chance to take this challenge, and finished this total trail in 12 hours. This is also my first high mountain hike in my life. The view from the top of Mt. Whitney and on the trail is amazing, plus the fact that you are on top of everything...
A dayhike loop through the lakes of the North Fork of Big Pine Creek.PhotosTrip report
A friend and I took a quick hike out to Big Baldy while our families stayed back at the lodge where we were staying. We started at the trailhead, and went up along the ridgeline. There was evidence of recent fires along the way; I wonder if it was a controlled burn. The view from the top was great, even on a hazy day. We tool a different trail back, and enjoyed...
