About the trip

This trip is an ultimate crossing of Sequoia National Park through some of the most remote areas of the high Sierra, culminating in an ascent of the highest point in the contiguous US; Mt Whitney (14,500’). It’s rugged and remote and those who are up to the 83-mile challenge will be rewarded with a backpacking adventure like few others. Highlights include crossing the Great Western divide via Colby Pass (12,000’), the massive Kern River Canyon, Foxtail Pine forests, and of course panoramic views from atop Mt Whitney.

Accommodations: We provide your first night lodging at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at the Airport in Fresno, 7 nights in tents, and your final night’s lodging at the Best Western in Lone Pine (pricing based on double room occupancy).

Equipment: We supply all group camping gear (stoves, cookware, water filters, group first aid kit, etc.). We can also supply personal camping equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, trekking poles, and tents) upon request with no additional fee. You are welcome to bring your own personal camping equipment if you prefer. A detailed gear list will be sent to you upon registration.

Meals: We provide meals starting with lunch on day two through lunch and trail snacks the last day on the trail. Our "Backcountry Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine. We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.

Your Cost Includes: Meals (as noted above), group camping gear (as noted above), personal camping equipment (as listed above), accommodations (as noted above), transportation to and from the remote trailheads, applicable permits, professional mountain guide(s), pre-trip planning packet, and trip support from our friendly office staff.

Not Included: Personal clothing and footwear, personal gear not listed under “Equipment” above, meals while in the front country, dinner in Lone Pine, tips for guides (10-20% of trip cost is customary), transportation except as noted above, and optional trip cancellation insurance.

Preparation:Training is paramount to the enjoyment and success of your trip. We recommend rigorous exercise in the months prior to your trip to bolster sustained cardiovascular/aerobic activities as well as core and leg strength. Day hikes with a weighted backpack, preferably on hilly, off road terrain, is the best way to train for our trips. Activities such as cycling and step-master type machines (or stadium stairs) are excellent for training as well and are preferable to a routine comprised solely of running. Be sure to include hill and steep climbs wherever possible on all training.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Check in at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at the Airport anytime after 4pm. Meet your guide(s) and group in the Lobby at 6pm for a brief orientation. Dinner is on your own at the Hotel.

Day 2: Following breakfast on your own, we will drive to the trailhead at Horse Corral Meadow (8200’). After a final gear check we will begin 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 distance is 11.5 miles.

Day 3: From Ferguson Creek we’ll continue past the ranger station at Roaring River and head into Cloud Canyon. We’ll make camp in the vicinity of the looming Whaleback, a giant granite ridge that dominates the landscape. 8.5 miles

Day 4: Today, we’ll follow the trail along Colby Creek up to the crest of the Great Western Divide. The dramatic Colby Pass (12,000’) leads us to the eastern side of the ridge and is often considered the most remote spot in the Sierra. After enjoying the views, we’ll descend to Gallats Lake (10,200’) where we’ll make camp for the night. 9 miles

Day 5: We begin our day following the Kern-Kaweah River valley down into Kern Canyon. We’ll pass through the Jeffrey Pine forests at 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. The day’s mileage is 11 miles.

Day 6: Today’s hiking will get us within striking distance of Mt Whitney. We’ll travel over moderate trail through foxtail Pine Forests, unique to Sequoia National Park. We’ll then set up a basecamp at Guitar Lake under the Whitney massif at 11,500’. We’ll hit the sack early in preparation for our attempt of Mt Whitney in the morning. 8 miles.

Day 7: An early “alpine” start, we’ll leave our basecamp and extra gear behind for our summit attempt of Mt Whitney (14,495’). The trail is very well-graded and we’ll quickly gain final summit ridge. Bathed in early morning light, stunning views await of the Sierra high country and the eastern deserts far below. We’ll then return back to Guitar Lake, where we’ll have lunch and pack up camp. A few more miles of hiking take us below treeline to Crabtree Meadows (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 Meadows we’ll hike a relatively flat section of the Pacific Crest Trail 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 our grand trans-sierra crossing by hiking eastward over Cottonwood Pass (11,200). At the trailhead, we will be met by our private shuttle and cold drinks. Total mileage is 10 miles. Our shuttle takes us to our hotel in the quirky western town of Lone Pine. After a well-deserved shower, we’ll meet in the lobby a take dinner together in town.

Day 10: Continental breakfast is served at the hotel and we’ll depart for Fresno in the early morning. We’ll arrive around 1pm and can drop at either the Fresno Airport or Picadilly Inn. We suggest not planning flights before 4-5pm.

*Similar trips include: Yosemite High Passes Loop, JMT: Northbound, John Muir Trail, Rae Lakes Loop