Guides
Moraine Lake to Kern Hot Spring
This is the fourth 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 4 of 7: Moraine Lake to Kern Hot Spring. For the first...
Kern Hot Spring to Upper Kern Canyon
This is the fifth 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 5 of 7: Kern Hot Spring to Upper Kern Canyon. This is...
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...
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...
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...
A great backpacking alternative when the high country is blanketed in snow.
This trail is best travelled in the Spring months. The progression from the Foothills to a secluded giant sequoia grove makes it diverse. It is also possible to hook up with a more extensive trail system which can lead you north to Giant Forest or south to Mineral King.
A great spring time hike through a deep canyon in the Foothills.
This hike offers an abundant and diverse plant life as you switchback through shady, woodland chaparral. Oaks, cottonwoods, redbuds and dogwoods are skirted with a variety of flowers in the spring like brodiaea, madia, lilies and Chinese houses. The trail ends at "Marble Falls" cascading over polished marble.
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...
A paved, accessible trail across from the Giant Forest Museum.
This easy, paved trail offers several educational displays focusing on the giant sequoia ecosystem.
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...
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.
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.
A day hike from Mineral King Valley to Monarch Lakes and back.
The hike from Mineral King to Monarch Lakes is 4.2 miles one way with an elevation gain of about 2500ft.The hike starts at an elevation of 8000 and reaches 10400ft at Lower Monarch Lake. This is a moderately difficult hike and is best done as a day hike. This seems to be a popular route for backpackers who go past the sawtooth pass to columbine...
Sawtooth Pass has a brilliant perspective of Mineral King Valley, Lost Canyon, Monarch Lakes, and Columbine Lake.
Sawtooth Pass in Mineral King Valley strafes the serrated edge of Sawtooth Peak, the largest prominence in the area at 12,343 ft. Climbing to the top of the pass reveals views of alpine glacial gems like Columbine Lake, Monarch Lakes, Mineral Peak and Mineral King Valley. Overnight backpacking or camping is a must when visiting Mineral King. Reaching...
A day hike from Mineral King Valley to Eagle lake and back.
The hike from Mineral King to Eagle is short and steep with about 2200ft elevation gain in 3.4 miles. The hike starts at an elevation of about 7600+ and reaches just below 10000ft at Eagle lake. This is a moderately difficult hike and can be finished in half a day, although it might be more relaxing if you have a full day.
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.
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...
Very easy route through one of the most unique and beautiful places in California
Spend an hour or all day exploring rock formations so unique they’ve been used in famous movie sets for over 70 years. Enjoy breathtaking scenery enroute to a hiking trailhead that goes to the top of 14,495-ft. Mount Whitney (hiking permit required). Only main roads are described here; for maximum fun, you’ll want to explore dozens of side roads...
Trips
Two day ascent of the highest peak in contiguous US.
Almost every trail from Mineral King is a work out, and this one doesn't disappoint. The Monarch Lakes trail starts at, you guessed it, the Monarch Lakes trailhead parking lot. The trail heads up pretty steeply through a series of long switches until it reaches Monarch Creek in a pretty little grove. The views of Mineral King valley along this stretch are spectacular. The switches after the stream crossing are graded better (in fact...
