High Sierra Trail (HST)

I got 6 permits to thru-hike the classic HST, finishing with a summit on Mt Whitney. I’ll be hiking it from west to east, starting at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park and wrapping up at the Whitney Portal trailhead.

Based on all the tales I’ve heard and what I’ve read, we can expect serious elevation, raging creek crossings, snow, exposed alpine terrain, and steep climbs and descents 🫣 and for the less terrifying parts, we’ve got giant Sequoias, Kaweah River Canyon, a hot spring (thank goodness), the Great Western Divide, Hamilton Lakes, Kern River Valley, and of course, Mt. Whitney 😌

Rated as highly challenging
72 miles, point-to-point
16,427 feet of elevation gain
It’s $ per person for the car rental, lodging before and the overnight wilderness permit. Flights and fuel not included.
We’ll need to pack micro spikes, ice axe, bear canister, and 7 days worth of food (yes, the packs are going to be HEAVY 🥴)

Itinerary
Thursday, July 9
Fly to Vegas in the morning (Harry Reid International Airport)
Pick up rental cars
Drive to Mt Whitney Portal (4 hr 20 min)
Drop off one car, then drive to hotel in Visalia (4 hr 5 min)
Check into hotel

Friday, July 10
Catch hotel shuttle to the park at 8:12am (2 hr 36 min)
Take route three purple shuttle to lodgepole visitor center (4 miles away) 11 min)
Pick up permits between 11:30-11:45am
Start hike
Crescent Meadow to Buck Creek
(10 miles)

Saturday, July 11
Buck Creek to Big Hamilton Lake
(6.6 miles)

Sunday, July 12
Big Hamilton Lake to Big Arroyo
(9.4 miles)

Monday, July 13
Big Arroyo to Moraine Lake
(8 miles)

Tuesday, July 14
Zero day?

Wednesday, July 15
Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow
(9.7 miles)

Thursday, July 16
Junction Meadow to Guitar Lake
(12.4 miles)

Friday, July 17
2am start time
Guitar Lake to Whitney Summit (5 miles)
Whitney Portal (10.7 miles)
Drive to Independence and check into hotel

Saturday, July 18
Drive back to Vegas
Return rental car
Catch return flight
Flights should be booked for no earlier than 2pm.