High Sierra Trail

For the first half-mile, the trail stays in cool forest among red and white fir, sugar pines, and occasional giant sequoias. It then crosses the warm, south-facing slope at Eagle View, where the view opens back toward Moro Rock, down into the Middle Fork Kaweah canyon, and ahead to the Great Western Divide. Beyond Seven Mile Hill, the tread cuts across steep bluffs below Alta Meadow and Alta Peak; a crew spent most of 1930 blasting a mile-long section through the rock. Buck Canyon is known for floods, avalanches, and rockslides. Spring-fed streams may still be flowing late in the season, while early-summer crossings can be hazardous. After Buck Creek, a climb of about 500 feet in a little over a mile brings you to Bearpaw Meadow, 11.4 miles from the start.

From Bearpaw, long switchbacks climb beneath Angel Wings. The route crosses Hamilton Creek above the lower falls, then climbs again to Big Hamilton Lake at mile 16.6. Above the lake, broad switchbacks lead to Hamilton Gorge. A suspension bridge built in 1932 was torn away by a 1937 avalanche; the trail now squeezes along a blasted ledge and through a tunnel cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps the following summer. Beyond the gorge, Precipice Lake sits under the north wall of Eagle Scout Peak, and shallow glacial ponds lead to Kaweah Gap at 10,700 feet. In this exposed alpine zone, only low shrubs and herbs can grow. For a photo at Valhalla, keep a strip of trail in the foreground so the granite walls still read as a place you are walking through.

From Kaweah Gap, the trail descends to Big Arroyo Junction at mile 22.5, then climbs the arroyo's north wall onto Chagoopa Plateau. A branch leads to Moraine Lake; the more direct HST line crosses the plateau to Sky Parlor Meadow. The descent into the Kern Trench finishes in steep, rocky switchbacks and can be long and dry, so top up at Sky Parlor Meadow before dropping down.

The route follows the valley floor through Jeffrey pine and incense cedar, with a glimpse of Chagoopa Falls through the trees. Kern Hot Springs lies 36.8 miles from Crescent Meadow; its rough concrete tub is beside the cold Kern River, and soap should stay out of both. Use the designated campsites. The canyon follows the Kern Canyon fault; its tall walls shade the floor until late morning, while open stretches can be hot by midday.

From Junction Meadow at mile 42, the final climb leaves the Jeffrey pines and crosses steep, rocky slopes with manzanita and currant. The view opens back along the Kern Canyon and west toward the Kaweah Peaks. At mile 48.9, the High Sierra Trail meets the John Muir Trail. From there, the JMT continues about 13 miles to Mount Whitney; reaching the summit and exiting at Whitney Portal adds a much longer itinerary and its own transport plan.

Start at Crescent Meadow Trailhead at the end of Crescent Meadow Road. A shuttle stops at Crescent Meadow in summer; backpackers with a wilderness permit may access the trailhead even when normal road traffic is closed. There is no water at the trailhead. Overnight hikers need a wilderness permit, and entries are limited during quota season. Between Seven Mile Hill and Kaweah Gap, use a High Sierra Trail permit; an Alta Trail permit does not cover that stretch. Pets are prohibited on park trails; service animals are treated differently.