Expedition Planner Sierra High Route. Sierra High Route, 313 km, 195 miles, about 30 days. Because of the massive snow this year many decided to avoid the Sierra this year, but for me the snow was an incentive, at least for the snowy first half of the trip, as walking over compact snow is less onerous than negotiating the many tedious talus (rock) fields. Section 2- July 23-27, 4 1/2 days. Not sure if that is correct, but it makes for a great story. I spend the night at the hikers hostel in Lone Pine, depart early and drive to leave my car at Mammoth, and take the 8 AM bus to Tuolumne Meadows. Matterhorn Peak is one-third up the track running from right to left. Hard to believe; it just does not seem to me that the people who are qualified to hike this hike would be put off by some snow. Elevations Profiles The big picture. Elevation and ascent statistics with customisable elevation graph. I get lucky and score an immediate ride from Tuolumne to my parked car at Lee Vining, drive to Bishop, eat, and stay at a lousy motel. Traildino grading: DW, Difficult walk, bushwalk; Hut tour grading: T3, Demanding mountain walk. I put on my headphones and amplify the experience with the Eroica symphony. Next time, I'll go to the Super 8. It can be a city, town, village or even the sea or ocean. It runs parallel to the John Muir trail but where the JMT descend into forested area to circumvent the high ridges of the crest, the Sierra High Route embraces them head on. The trail hike up to Vogelsang helps to improve my mood. CLICK ARROW TO PLAY MOVIE. Conceived by climber Steve Roper in 1977 and first published in his book Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country, the SHR is a classic mountain journey similar to the John Muir Trail (JMT), but with a huge difference: It touches trails only grudgingly, and it rarely dips below 10,000 feet. Stanton Pass should be easy but as I approach from an unusual direction my view of my options is not good and I choose a very bad route that costs me a few wasted hours without success until I descend and start over. I keep a tight kit and often use my readily accessible sit pad. Trail Beta for the John Muir Trail The JMT is roughly 207.5 miles long, from Happy Isle to Mt. Single elevation profile of your favorite trail. When I arrive I can't believe it- the place is totally deserted, and most structures are closed and/or under repair. I am not in a hurry and walk at a relatively leisurely pace, but on this hike I am always concerned about making it over the last pass before darkness, which tends to inhibit lingering and my extracurricular swimming. The 72-mile High Sierra Trail (HST) has all the memory-making potential of a much longer hike, packaged into a job-friendly, one-week vacation. A 195 mile adventure hiking north to south through the high Sierras, sticking as close to the crest of the mountain ranges as possible. But it is an expert route–not for novices, youth groups, bad knees, or even experienced trail hikers new … One guy says "cool". Ritter and Banner Peak, bobbing up and down around tree-line. Most people do not experience the west end of Thousand Island Lake as the John Muir Trail is on the other side. The permit office is open however. It skews at high elevations of between 9,000 to 11,500 feet and only occasionally connects with the John Muir Trail. CLICK ARROW TO PLAY MOVIE. I make it to an unnamed lake that is not indicated on some maps. Blue Lake Pass. #Photolife #sondralynnphotography #sunrise #beautyiseverwhere #Cali #beautyiseverywhereproject #projects #challenge #col, #Californian #California #Sunset #sunsetview, Elevation of Kenwood Ln, Fort Myers, FL, USA, Elevation of Powell Ln, Denham Springs, LA, USA, Elevation of Deerfield Rd, Hill City, SD, USA, Elevation of Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8LL, UK, Elevation of John L Ln, Denham Springs, LA, USA, Elevation of Spinnaker Pointe Dr, Chapin, SC, USA, Elevation of S Creek Wynd, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 2X2, Canada, Elevation of 29 Aztec Cres, Lacombe County, AB T0M 0J0, Canada, Elevation of Trumpeter, Edmonton, AB, Canada. As a first indication of the unusual snow year, the ranger tells me that she has so far issued only one similar permit this summer. It obviously got whacked hard this year by the heavy snowfall. lancaster, ca. As I drop to lower altitudes, I come across large areas where I am uncertain where the water is, and how much I can trust the snow and not fall through. Twin Lakes is at the bottom right, and my first destination of Tuolumne Meadows is at top left. I love climbing the occasional peak to get the broad view of my surroundings, but climbing from the trailhead to a tall peak on the first day of my hike is not a great idea as my body is not yet acclimated to the altitude nor in top hiking shape, so I am a bit weary on the second day. I love the High Sierra, but I am itching for something new. One way to conceptualize the SHR is as a series of 33 passes, 33 hurdles. Curious rock with curious holes. I go in to find three rangers staring intently at their monitors. Easton Glacier route map and elevation profile : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering I'll pass on jumping in this one. Nothing beats the sugar rush of a glass of Tang and one Snickers bar. The journey begins amidst giant redwoods in Sequoia National Park and ends at Mt. A) You can calculate the elevation of land using the route elevation calculator. I knew that this trip would involve a lot of snow, but did not appreciate that summer melting snow also means that the sound and presence of water are everywhere. This page shows the elevation/altitude information of Sierra Nevada, California, USA, including elevation map, topographic map, narometric pressure, longitude and latitude. An elevation profile or a topographic profile is a two-dimensional cross sectional view of the landscape. In this case however I submit to the pull of the water, emerging invigorated. I read that the Yosemite "T" blazes are old 90's U.S. Cavalry marks for snow navigation. Actually, there is a crossing at the end of the lake where the water was as high as the tops of my thighs. I’ve been hiking in the high Sierra backcountry for over 15 years and am just buzzing to start the route this summer. Hope to see you all out there this summer. During the course of my journey I meet only five other people walking the entire route. smith brothers' hobby center. Several people drowned in river crossings this summer, and it is just so very sad. The plants in the valley have been waiting all year to bust out. Summer snow brings suncups, odd melted depressions in the snow that can help or hinder walking progress depending on their size and location. I have a silnyon Descutes tarp with a perimeter net I attached that works well enough to hold the mosquitos at bay. Find walking maps and guidebooks, self guided walking holidays and hiking tours. Mt. Wall Maps Print out your favorite trail to 6 feet high. Kearsarge start $1875 April 26-May 2 Shepherd start $1650 April 27-May 2 …or custom programs in May. Twin Island Lakes. lancaster, ca. The talus is a prime component of the HSR experience. I am now in North Yosemite, and it lives up to reputation as one of the most buggy areas in the park. There is almost always a bad resolution to these situations. The melted snow exposes elaborate tunnels and furry balls created by some kind of rodent. It passes through two National Parks—Sequoia-Kings Canyon and Yosemite—and two wilderness areas—John Muir and Ansel Adams. The Sierra High Route. Tuolumne Meadows to Mammoth, SOBO. At the top of each pass you try to visualize the route as far forward as possible. The suncups appear velvety soft but are actually very frozen and hard in the early morning. A beautiful night under the stars. Feels volcanic. About a third of the route follows maintained hiking trails. If the Sierra’s original pathbreaker and solitude lover, John Muir, were alive today, it’s a fair bet he’d hike the Sierra High Route instead of the trail that bears his name. A subreddit dedicated to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell … It’s the right distance (195 miles). I find a dry spot where I can cowboy camp. The snow was just too much this year so none of the Yosemite High Camps were assembled. Whitney. Final day of my first trip, I descend past the remains of the Great Sierra Mine cabin. Location: Sequoia National Park Trailhead: Crescent Meadow, elevation 6,687 feet First pass: Kaweah Gap 10,700 feet Lowest point (midway): Kern River Canyon 6,705 feet Highest point: Mt. Learn how to draw the elevation profile with the desired … The Sawtooth Range viewed from Matterhorn Peak (12,279 ft.). This is perhaps my most nerve-wracking crossing of the trip. Large parts of this area are marshy bogs, and the bugs swarm my face net. The route weaves in and around Mt. I wear crampons and do a lot of kick-stepping. Imagine: Thousand Island Lake with no mosquitos. I am soon surrounded by snow where I put my new lightweight aluminum crampons and ice axe into action. This snow wall at Iceberg Lake is much longer and steeper than it appears in the photo. This elevation tool allows you to see a graph of elevations along a path. Still nary a person. I pick up the permit in Bridgeport to begin my hike on July 12. In some years the Tuolumne is sold out in early June and PCT hikers clog the area in front of the store. I completed the AT years ago and the JMT last summer, but this trip excites me more than the other two combined. This summer I completed the route in four sections, walking a total of 20 days, 214 miles and 62,000 feet of elevation gain, including 33 high passes. Description The SHR is a 195-mile trekking route that runs north-south through the heart of the High Sierra, the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada Range. https://www.thehikinglife.com/2018/03/a-quick-dirty-guide-to-the- This is perhaps my favorite moment of the entire trip, only made slightly less perfect by the need for a bug net. The remaining portion of the route travels off trail on cross-country routes that include granite slabs, scree fields, on loose talus and through meadowlands. In another life I was or will be a hard-core birder. Sierra High Route Stage 2 ... one of the most prized destination alpine spots in the Sierra. Lousy long talus approach on left, but easy firm climbing at top. Knock on wood. Pynchon-like strangeness abounds along the 395. This trail is also known as Roper Route. With good balance and technique it is possible to zoom over it quickly. It is a rugged alternate to the John Muir Trail (JMT), boasting about… The Rosetta stone of the Sierra. Thousand Island Lake is at the bottom left. 2011. Wow, I never see flower blooms like this in normal summer hiking conditions. But you still have to get to Whitney Portal to get off the trail so it is actually 213.5 mile… I can't wait to get to the road. As I climb the trail from Twin Lakes the water is absolutely raging down Horse Creek, hinting at the ongoing snow melt above. Together with the trip report above it is hopefully helpful in your thoughts about hiking on the Sierra High Route. Writes Roper in Sierra High Route, "High Route adventurers will not be put off by the lack of an actual trail, since much of the singular joy of cross-country travel lies in wandering through the timberline country as the pioneers did--wondering what the next turn will reveal. The calculator provides a way to calculate how elevated the land is for a trip you are planning or for reference purposes. Whitney, 14,508 feet Whitney Portal: 8,323 feet Total elevation gain: ~15,000 feet Total elevation loss: ~13,000 feet It easy to access from where I live. 218k members in the WildernessBackpacking community. Since there is so much interest in that I took our elevation profile and annotated it with locations. The peak is an easy climb from the pass. I'd always thought California was like this year round- I was so wrong, but this is perfect weather ???? Twin Lakes to Tuolumne Meadows, SOBO. The Sierra High Route (SHR) is a largely off-trail exploration devised by Steve Roper in the 70's that runs down the center of the Sierra Nevada. It avoids the JMT crowds, the landscape is more spectacular, and the travel more challenging. Usual stop at the 'bama. High Sierra Trail - Key Facts. Some distance into the hike I see this disturbing poster. The Southern Sierra High Route (SoSHR) is a superb alternative to the JMT for the adventurous traveler. I awake the next morning to evidence of a cold night. This tour was created from Steve Roper's Sierra High Route using Andrew Skurka's maps and points and takes the route northbound as described in the guides. #photolife #photography #California #Lancaster #Cali #losangeles #LA #Landscapes #tr, With so many different sunsets to choose from, how is a person supposed to decide which one is the best? You can compare the elevation of land between just about any type of location. I descend to Minaret Lake and once again fend off a full-scale mosquito attack. I get the usual question if I know what I am in for, and am told that I am the first person this season to ask for such a permit. I contemplate a climb of one of them as I am perfectly situated for an ascent, but feel that I am not experienced enough in snow peak ascents and instead just admire them from a safe distance. At least the word got out and a large number of thru-hikers avoided the central Sierra portions of their hikes until later in the season. It skews at high elevations of between 9,000 to 11,500 feet and only occasionally connects with the John Muir Trail. In fact, it is often confused with the “High Sierra Trail,” which is an actual The Sierra High Route (SHR) is a largely off-trail exploration devised by Steve Roper in the 70's that runs down the center of the Sierra Nevada. The size of the talus, sharpness and stability vary a lot. Occasional bad navigation or poor route choices are expected mistakes on the Sierra High Route. In this case, I know that I must descend, cut diagonally across while alternating between walking on rocks and snow, take 30 minutes to go to the base of the nearest hill, and then turn right and head down. Some come home with me. Along Cecile Lake I meet Sherpa (Paul) from San Anselmo; he is section hiking the SHR as well but going NOBO and is the first person I meet after 8 days of hiking. This tool allows you to look up elevation data by searching address or clicking on a live google map. I realize that my knowledge of Sierra animal life is deficient. I stop to eat at El Ranchito in Bishop for nostalgic memories of past trips, but it is still mediocre. Whitney.From the grandeur of Hamilton Lakes Basin and Precipice Lake, to the awe inspiring Big Arroyo and Kern River Valley, the High Sierra Trail is some of the best that Sequoia National Park has to offer. This tool allows you to look up elevation data by searching address or clicking on a live google map. Snow cone drinks of my youth. The name “Sierra High Route” is actually a pretty generic name. First view of the Ritter Range. Because of the varying levels of snow melt, I witness spring vegetation all through the summer. Few people attempt the route which enhances its wonderful sense of solitude. Panorama viewed from top of Matterhorn Peak. I take a long pause to enjoy my smoothie and power bar in the early morning sun while enjoying the view of the Clark Range and Red Peak. I truly wish I had the talent to paint the amazing things I see... Painter of light was Thomas Kincaid, I suppose I could be the photographer of light, Sunrise with some slight enhancements to better display what it looked like IRL- my HTC One never captures all the colors quite right! What is the Sierra High Route? The Sierra High Route occurs at elevations between 9,000 and 11,500. When I say "High Route" it gets their attention and they all look up. There is perhaps no better way to laterally cross the immense Sierra Nevada mountain range on foot. Description Itinerary Resources This is “it”; the ultimate Sierra … (Factoid: Beethoven was inspired by and originally dedicated this symphony to Napolean, naming it "Buonaparte".) After a couple days of feeling dejected, like I would never find my perfect trail, I had a crazy thought: what about the Sierra High Route? 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