How Many Days Does It Take To Hike The High Sierra Trail?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most people complete their High Sierra Trail itinerary in

6-8 days

. The official trail length is 61.5 miles from Crescent Meadow to Mt. Whitney, but getting to Whitney Portal makes the total hike length 72.2 miles.

Do I need a permit for the High Sierra Trail?

The High Sierra Trail goes over the Great Western Divide, down to the Big Arroyo and Kern River Valley, then up again to where it connects to the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and finally finishing on Mt. Whitney. Permits Required:

Yes, year round

.

How long is High Sierra Trail?

High Sierra Trail Length

49 miles (79 km)
Location Sequoia National Park, Tulare County, California, USA Trailheads Crescent Meadow John Muir Trail Use Hiking

What state is Mt. Whitney in?

Mount Whitney, highest peak (14,494 feet [4,418 metres] above sea level) in the 48 coterminous U.S. states. It is the culminating summit of the

Sierra Nevada

. In eastern California on the Inyo-Tulare county line, the peak is at the eastern border of Sequoia National Park, immediately west of the city of Lone Pine.

What is the big Seki loop?

The Big SEKI Loop is

a 155-mile loop in the High Sierra in California that can be modified in multiple ways

. The route was created originally as an alternative to the John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. Region: Pacific West (Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California)

Is the High Sierra Trail difficult?

Head out on this 65.1-mile point-to-point trail near Sequoia National Park, California.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 32 h 7 min to complete.

Is High Sierra Trail a thru hike?


The High Sierra Trail is the thru-hike

for people who can only spare a week of vacation. Unlike the longer John Muir Trail (JMT), which follows the Sierra Nevada north-to-south from Yosemite to Mount Whitney (or vice versa), The High Sierra Trail (HST) traverses the range from west-to-east.

Can you bike the High Sierra Trail?

This

17-mile hiking, biking and equestrian trail

, accessed from Ebbetts Pass, traverses a wide variety of fun biking terrain from deep in the Stanislaus National Forest to spectacular overlooks.

Is it hard to get a permit for the High Sierra Trail?

The High Sierra Trail is quite popular, so the park has implemented permit quota systems for hikers between May 28-September 20

th

to ensure the area does not damaged by overcrowding.

The best way to get a permit is to reserve a permit ahead of time

. You can get a permit up to 6 months before the start of your trip.

What should I wear to the High Sierra Trail?

  • pair of hiking pants* – Prana Halle Pant. Breathable long sleeve button shirt* – REI shirt.
  • shirts (1 tank, 1 tee) Rain jacket – Outdoor Research jacket. Rain pants – Sierra Designs Hurricane Pant. …
  • pairs of socks (2 light and 1 mid-weight)* – Crew socks like Smartwool Medium.

Are dogs allowed on the High Sierra Trail?

Generally,

as long as you avoid hiking in Yosemite National Park and SEKI NP, dogs are allowed in the Sierra

. Crowds should not be an issue until next summer. Even at sometimes popular trailheads, you can usually find solitude by hiking in far, and especially by hiking cross country.

How do you get a High Sierra Trail permit?

Permits for the High Sierra Trail are

issued at the Visitor Center in Lodgepole Village

. Permits can only be picked up the afternoon before your trip begins or in the morning of your trip before 9:00 AM during permit station operating hours. There are no night drops.

How do I get a permit for Rae Lakes Loop?


Permits for Rae Lakes are issued at the Road’s End station located alongside the trail

. Permits can only be picked up during permit station operating hours. There are no night drops. Road’s End permit station in Cedar Grove is usually open from 7:00 AM to 2:45 or 3:30 PM.

Where is the high Sierra located?

The High Sierra is in

eastern California, USA, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range

. The primary area of interest to the HSHA and its members is the 200-mile (320 km) long Sierra crest from Lake Tahoe to the Golden Trout Wilderness (south of Sequoia National Park).

What state is Mt Elbert in?

Mount Elbert, mountain in Lake county, west-central Colorado, U.S., whose peak is the highest point (14,440 feet [4,401 metres]) in

Colorado

and in the American Rocky Mountains. Mount Elbert lies 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Leadville, in the Sawatch Range and White River National Forest.

How long does it take to climb Mount Whitney?

Mt. Whitney Trail starts high at 8,600 feet and ascends gently over the course of its 6,000 vertical feet gain in elevation. The average of 550-feet in elevation gain per mile makes for a relatively gentle ascent.

For fast hikers, the ascent can be done in about 5 hours, with about 7 to 8 hours for the average hiker

.

How high is Pikes Peak?

14,115′

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.