High Sierra Trail

The route begins at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park and ends at Whitney Portal in Inyo National Forest. From Crescent Meadow, follow the High Sierra Trail east along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. At 11.0 miles, pass Bearpaw Meadow and continue past Hamilton Lake at 15.5 miles. Climb to Kaweah Gap (19.0 miles) to cross the Great Western Divide at 10,700 feet. Descend into Big Arroyo and turn left at the junction at 22.5 miles. Climb onto the Chagoopa Plateau, then descend 3,000 vertical feet into the Kern River Canyon. At 35.8 miles, pass the Kern Hot Springs. Continue north along the canyon floor to the Wallace Creek junction at 43.5 miles and turn right to climb out of the canyon. Merge with the John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail at 47.9 miles and turn right. Bear left around 51.3 miles onto Crabtree Sand Flats trail, then ascend east toward Trail Crest. At the Whitney Trail junction, around 57.6 miles, turn left to summit Mount Whitney. Retrace your steps to the junction, turn left at 61.7 miles and descend past Trail Crest to Whitney Portal.