![]() ![]() Later in the season (August/September), you’ll probably experience a few hot dry sections of trail as well, so bring plenty of sun protection! You’ll get sunny days in the 60s-80s F, and nighttime lows around 30-40 F, although it can get colder at high elevations. You’ll get to see wildflowers and have abundant running water without too much snow, and hopefully without too many mosquitos. July through mid-September is really the hiker sweet spot. It is important to check snow levels before setting out on your hike, as snow may remain on the high passes into late June, making the hiking not only much more difficult, but possibly dangerous if you don’t have the proper mountaineering skills and equipment. The best time of year to hike the High Sierra Trail is between late June and September. Seasonal Weather on the High Sierra Trail You will not have cell service at Whitney Portal, so plan to reserve a shuttle ahead of time.įrom Lone Pine, you can take the Eastern Sierra Transit Bus to Mojave for $22, and then take a Greyhound bus back to Visalia for $20. To return to your car from Whitney Portal, hitchhike or take a shuttle to get to the town of Lone Pine. The shuttles have limited hours and seasonal closures, so make sure to check that before you go. Take the Sequoia National Park Shuttle gray line to your trailhead at Crescent Meadow. Next, take the free Sequoia National Park shuttle on the green line to the Lodgepole Visitor Center, where you will pick up your permit, and then hop back on to get back to the Giant Forest Museum. Note that you will need reservations and will have to pay a roundtrip fee of $15 (although you will avoid the entrance fee to Sequoia National Park). The best option is to leave your car or rental in the town of Visalia, California, and take the Sequoia Shuttle to the Giant Forest Museum. Of course, it’s not always realistic to have two cars or a friend willing to shuttle you, so there are some options using public transportation. The best way to do it is to have two cars, and park one at either end of the trail, or to park your car at your terminus and have a lucky friend or family member drop you off at your start. In fact, the most direct route between Crescent Meadow and Whitney portal is, you guessed it, the High Sierra Trail itself! Unfortunately, driving between Whitney Portal and Crescent Meadows in Sequoia National Park is not at all a direct drive, and so public transportation options are limited and can get pricey. Getting to and from your trailhead can be difficult. Travel Logistics for the High Sierra Trail Difficulty aside, the second half of your hike will be gentler as you hike toward Sequoia’s Giant Forest. Permits may also be more difficult to obtain. However, when hiking in this direction, you should be prepared to experience high altitudes and a hard, long climb right off the bat. This direction also means a more climactic finish when the High Sierra Trail meets and joins routes with the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail! Whitney is the highest point on the trail, so it is recommended to start in Crescent Meadow at lower elevations and work your way up to the higher elevations near the end of your hike. From there, you’ll have one big climb across the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and another up to the summit of Mt. Most people begin their hike in Crescent Meadow, near Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest. Thank you for supporting this free content! Note: This post contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using one of these links. Time: Average of 6-8 days Direction of Your High Sierra Trail Hike ![]() If you’ve got a looser schedule, you can certainly take your time on the High Sierra Trail and spend time jumping in lakes and sunning on granite slabs. If you’re looking for a strenuous hike in the heart of the Sierras but only have a week, this is the perfect hike for you! The trail cuts straight through the most beautiful sections of the Sierras, climbing from west to east over the Great Western Divide, also known as Kaweah Gap, and up into the Eastern Sierras. ![]() The High Sierra Trail, or the HST, was built in the 1920s as a passage through Sequoia National Park after the park’s expansion into the East Side of the Sierras. You’ll pass high elevation lakes, amble along rushing rivers and lush meadows, and finally end your hike on top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the Lower 48. The High Sierra Trail is a stunning trek through Sequoia National Park into the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. ![]()
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