High Sierra Trail
2003 Trip
Trail Location and info: I believe you can take highway 180 to Giant
Forest in Sequoia National. The trailhead starts from Crescent Meadow in the
Giant Forest. I also suggest you take a small trip to Moro Rock and see some
great views of the Great Western Divide (GWD). But you don't have to because
you will see plenty of the GWD along the trail. You start off on the trail
going along the edge of a pretty big drop down to Panther Creek below and
stays along the edge for quite awhile. So you will get some pretty good views
of the GWD along the trail up until you go over the GWD. The trail pretty much
stays along the edge until you get close to the end of the canyon. Toward the
end of the canyon you come to some drop offs and some pretty good views down
the canyon you just came up. You soon come to a bridge crossing a narrow
canyon. The canyon is probably about 20 feet wide and maybe 40 ft down. After
that you continue to gain elevation as you begin crossing over the GWD. After
awhile come to the first of the Hamilton lakes and shortly after that, Big
Hamilton Lake. Big Hamilton Lake is a beautiful lake surrounded by peaks and
high ridges. After Big Hamilton Lake you go up some steep switchbacks and
quickly get above the lake. You soon come to a bend in the trail and go
through a tunnel. There used to be a bridge across the gorge that you go
around, you can still see the cement blocks and some cable. Not sure exactly
how deep the gorge is, but it seemed pretty for down. A short ways after that
you get above the timberline and come upon Upper Hamilton Lake. Upper Hamilton
is a small lake, probably a good place to rest. The trail still continues up
quite a bit until you get over Kaweah Gap. After Upper Hamilton you walk
through the Sierra alpine and soon come to Precipice Lake, another beautiful
lake along the way. The far side of the lake is against a wall of granite
below Eagle Scout Peak. Shortly after the lake you go through a few meadows
and along some small glacial ponds and soon get to Kaweah Gap. From there you
can see Nine Lakes Basin and some lakes to the north. The valley below the gap
is very shallow and open. After you descend from Kaweah Gap the trail becomes
much easier and faster. You quickly come to some small trees, which quickly
get bigger and then into different types of trees. You soon come to Big Arroyo
Junction and after that you go back up to Moraine Lake. The hike up is pretty
easy going up and you start to get some good views of the canyon below. After
awhile you get to Moraine Lake. This is a great place to stop. Its in the
trees, but still has some good views of distant peaks. After Moraine Lake you
hike across somewhat of a plateau for awhile, you might be able to see Whitney
from here, but you have to know what you are looking for. Then you start your
steep descent down to the Kern River in Kern Canyon. After you get down there,
you start a gradual up, which doesn't seem so gradual after awhile. You soon
come to Kern Hot Springs. This is a good place to rest and let your legs soak
in the hot water. Quite a ways after the hot spring you finally come to
Junction Meadow. Another good place to stop after a long hike up the canyon.
After Junction Meadow you go up and out of the canyon. after awhile you start
coming into some meadows and views to the west. You start to see some peaks
where you are going also. You soon come to Crabtree Meadow which is a
beautiful meadow shortly before Whitney. Then after Crabtree Meadow you start
getting above timberline again at Timberline Lake. A short ways after Timber
Line Lake you come to Guitar Lake, right below Mt Whitney. It's another good
place to camp and have peaks all around you. After Guitar Lake you begin
ascending Whitney. The trail becomes pretty steep and many switchbacks, but it
is fairly short and you get to the junction pretty fast. This is where you can
leave your packs and head up to the peak. The trail will probably become quite
a bit busier because of all the day hikers coming from Whitney Portal. After
you drop your packs, it isn't very steep the rest of the way up, but the
altitude might get to you. Along the trail are some windows that drop down a
thousand (or more) feet on both sides. At the top is the hut and the registry.
Sign the registry and stay awhile to enjoy the view. Then you go back down to
your packs and head down toward Whitney Portal. You will hike along the back
of the ridge some more until you come to Trail Crest. This will be where you
start your steep climb down. There will be the infamous 99 switchbacks and
then you will reach Trail Camp. You will then continue down passing some nice
lakes along the way. You soon get back into the trees and then after a long
steep hike down you will get to Whitney Portal. Click
here to see my previous day hike to Mt Whitney. The National Park website
below has a lot more information about the trail.
Links:
National Park's High Sierra Trail Website,
My BSA Troop's Pictures