Backpacking - Trans-Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney - Itinerary
- About the Trip: This seldom traveled 83- mile High Sierra trek is the ultimate crossing of the Sierra. The terrain is mostly moderate.
The scenery is incredibly diverse and includes Sugar Loaf Valley, a crossing of the Great Western Divide on Colby Pass, which is considered to be the remotest part of the High Sierra, the massive Kern River Canyon, and the highest point in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney, 14,495'. This version of the High Sierra Trail is the trip for those who want to backpack in one of the remotest mountain spots of California's High Sierra. A true treat!
- Group Size: 12 clients, 2 guides
- Grade: Strenuous. Challenging hiking with full packs in elevations ranging from 8,000'-14,495'. All hiking is on trail and daily mileage is between 6 & 14 miles. Most days are in the 10-11 mile range.
- Equipment: Tents and all group gear are provided (stoves, pots, pans, water filters, group first aid, etc.) .Backpacks, sleeping bags, pads can be rented if prior arrangements are made. You provide your personal clothing, broken-in boots and other personal items. You may print from our web page a detailed clothing/gear list, directions, and this itinerary.
- Cost of the Trip: $1850 per person on group size 9-12 people. $2150 per person on group size 4-8 people. (Small group surcharge of $400 per person on group size of 3 people in addition to smallest tier)
- Includes: Shared lodging the first and last nights, double occupancy, all meals while in the backcountry, all group camping gear, experienced guides, permits, and van shuttles.
- Not Included: Meals while in the front-country, alcoholic beverages, personal items, tips for guides(10-20% of trip fee).
- Meals: All meals are provided while in the back country. We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.
- Preparation: Hike. This Trans Sierra trail is a committing trip where you have minimum mileage each day. You should be aerobically and cardiovascularly fit, and should train by working out, carrying weight, and hiking. Expect to start with 40-50 lbs on your back.
- Day 1: We will meet at the Piccadilly Inn adjacent to the Fresno air terminal. Dinner is on your own at the hotel. We will then meet to discuss the trip, hand out needed gear and get to know the group.
- Day 2: Following breakfast on your own, we will shuttle to the trailhead at Horse Corral Meadow (8200'). After a final gear check we will begin a our hike over gentle Marvin Pass (8900') and the Kanawyer Gap, before we head downhill to our campsite along Ferguson Creek (7200'). The day's mileage is 11.5 miles.
- Day 3: From Ferguson Creek we'll continue past the ranger station at Roaring River and head into the high country towards Colby Lake. Along the way we'll skirt the famous Whaleback ridge with views of Triple Divide peak (12,634'). The day's mileage is 11 miles and we'll camp at 9,000' a mile or so below Colby Pass Lake.
- Day 4: Today, we'll be hiking over Colby Pass (12,000')(the remotest spot in the high Sierra). This is also the point where we cross the Great Western Divide and the Sierra High Route. The hike is 3.0 miles up and then descends to Gallats Lake, over 3.5 miles. We'll camp at 10,200' after a total of 6.5 miles hiking.
- Day 5: On this day, we'll continue down the Kern-Kaweah River Valley through Junction Meadow and climb up to our campsite on Wallace Creek at 10,400. It is here that we meet the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails, which we'll be on until the end of our trip. The day's mileage is 11 miles.
- Day 6: Today's hiking will get us within striking distance of Mt Whitney. We'll be camped at Guitar Lake under the Whitney massif at 11,500'. The day's mileage is 8 miles. We will rest up for our summit day on Mt. Whitney in the afternoon at camp.
- Day 7: An early "alpine" start with just water, your camera, and a rain-shell, we'll leave the packs behind for our summit attempt of Mt Whitney (14,495') the highest point in the contiguous US. Snack on top of the peak and then return back to Guitar lake, where we'll have lunch, pack up camp and move to lower ground to our spectacular campsite in lower Crabtree Meadow (10,400'). From Guitar Lake to Whitney and back is 9.5 miles round trip without packs and then downhill another 5 miles to camp. Total mileage this day is 14.5 miles.
- Day 8: From Lower Crabtree we'll hike a relatively flat section of the Pacific Crest Trail for 7.5 miles, before a short climb in the afternoon to Rock Creek Lake at 10,400'. This campsite is perfect for our last because it is truly one of the most beautiful of the trip. Total mileage is 10.5 miles.
- Day 9: This is our last day on the trail and we'll complete or trans-sierra crossing by hiking over Cottonwood Pass (11,200) after roughly 6.5 miles and heading down another 4 miles to the trailhead, where we will be met by our shuttle driver. Total mileage is 10.5 miles. Our shuttle takes us to Lone Pine on the eastern side of Mt Whitney. We have rooms reserved in the Best Western Hotel in this small mountain town. After a well-deserved shower, we'll meet in the lobby and take dinner together in town.
- Day 10: Continental breakfast is served at the hotel and we'll depart for Fresno Air Terminal, a 5-hour drive, about 9am. We suggest not planning flights before 4-5pm on day 10.
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