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Mt. Whitney Day
Climb the highest peak in the contiguous United States (14,505 ft). The main Whi...
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High Sierra Trail Permit
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
A legendary 72-mile trans-Sierra traverse from the giant sequoias to the summit of Mount Whitney—America's highest peak in the Lower 48.
“Walk from the world's largest trees to the highest peak in the contiguous United States—a 72-mile journey across the spine of the Sierra Nevada.”
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High Sierra Trail Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
Cost$15 + $5/person/night
Max Group Size15 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationCA
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
72.2 miles
Elevation Gain
15,500 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
6-8 days
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
7,030 - 14,505 ft
Highlights
- •72 miles over 6-8 days with approximately 15,500 feet of total elevation gain
- •Complete trans-Sierra crossing from west slope to east slope
- •Natural hot springs at Kern Hot Springs (primitive soaking)
- •Summit of Mount Whitney (14,505 ft)—the highest peak in the Lower 48
- •11-mile descent from Whitney summit to Whitney Portal
- •WAG bag required for Whitney Zone (final miles)
Best Time to Visit
Mid-July through September. July may have lingering snow on Whitney's switchbacks. August has the most stable weather but also the most crowded Whitney Zone. September offers solitude and golden light but shorter days.
Hazards & Considerations
- !High altitude—Whitney summit exceeds 14,000 feet
- !Lightning exposure on Whitney—start early and descend if storms approach
- !Creek crossings dangerous during high water (June-early July)
- !Remote location—evacuation from Kern canyon can take days
- !Black bears active throughout; proper food storage mandatory
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: Mid-July through AugustShoulder: September
Conditions
Snow-free above 10,000 ft by mid-July most years. Afternoon thunderstorms common.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +All routes accessible
Challenges
- !Mosquitoes through July
- !Afternoon storms
- !Crowded trailheads
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced backpackers comfortable with week-long wilderness expeditions and high-altitude travel.
Recommended Experience
Should have completed at least one multi-day trip of 40+ miles and have experience hiking at elevations above 12,000 feet.
Not Recommended For
First-time backpackers or those without prior high-altitude experience.
About This Permit
The High Sierra Trail is a 72-mile point-to-point traverse of Sequoia National Park, connecting Crescent Meadow in the west to Mount Whitney's summit in the east. The trail crosses the Great Western Divide at Kaweah Gap, descends into the remote Kern River canyon, and joins the John Muir Trail for the final climb to Whitney.
Most hikers complete the HST in 6-8 days, with the permit including Whitney summit access when exiting via Whitney Portal. The route accumulates approximately 15,500 feet of elevation gain and 13,900 feet of loss.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The High Sierra Trail is California's premier west-to-east trans-Sierra route, offering a complete cross-section of the range's geology and ecology. Unlike the north-south JMT, the HST traverses perpendicular to the Sierra's grain, crossing the Great Western Divide before joining the JMT for the climactic ascent of Mount Whitney. For many hikers, the HST represents the ultimate Sierra experience—from sequoia groves to alpine granite.
The Route
The HST begins gently among giant sequoias at Crescent Meadow (7,030 ft). The first miles traverse the western slopes with increasingly dramatic views into the Middle Fork Kaweah canyon. At mile 11, Bearpaw Meadow offers the only High Sierra Camp along the route—a rustic resupply option with tent cabins and hot meals.
Hamilton Lake appears at mile 17—a stunning cirque lake that many consider the trail's most beautiful single feature. Beyond, the trail climbs to Precipice Lake and crosses Kaweah Gap (10,700 ft), the passage through the Great Western Divide.
The descent into Big Arroyo brings you to the Kern River canyon—the Sierra's deepest and most remote. At mile 30, Kern Hot Springs offers a natural soak beside the rushing river. The route follows the Kern north to its junction with the JMT at Wallace Creek.
The final push covers 18 miles of the JMT's finest terrain: from Wallace Creek over Bighorn Plateau, past Guitar Lake (the final camp at 11,500 ft), and up the famous 99 Switchbacks to Trail Crest. Two final miles of ridge walking deliver you to Whitney's summit at 14,505 feet, the highest point in the Lower 48.
The Feeling
You begin in the shadow of giants—the General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing on Earth, stands nearby as you set off from Crescent Meadow. A week later, you'll be standing on Mount Whitney's summit, the entire Sierra Nevada spread below you in every direction. Between lies a journey that feels almost mythical: the deep azure of Hamilton Lake, the steaming miracle of Kern Hot Springs, the lonely expanse of the Kern Trench, and finally, Guitar Lake's treeless basin beneath the soaring pyramid of Whitney itself.
Trailhead Information
Crescent Meadow
7,030 ft elevationWestern terminus of the HST in Sequoia National Park's Giant Forest area.
Restrooms
Water Available
Weak Signal
Parking
Paved lot at Crescent Meadow fills early on summer weekends. Overflow parking at Giant Forest Museum.
Getting There
From Three Rivers, enter Sequoia via the Ash Mountain entrance. Follow Generals Highway to Giant Forest, then Crescent Meadow Road.
Nearest Services
Lodgepole Village (5 miles) has store, showers, and restaurant. Three Rivers (25 miles) has full services.
Whitney Portal
8,360 ft elevationEastern terminus of the HST. Permit includes exit via Whitney Trail—no additional Whitney permit needed.
Restrooms
Water Available
Moderate
Parking
Overnight parking limited. Arrange pickup or use shuttle to Lone Pine.
Getting There
Whitney Portal is 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road. The two trailheads are approximately 5 hours apart by car.
Nearest Services
Whitney Portal Store (seasonal). Lone Pine has full services including motels and restaurants.
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness permit required—reserve via Recreation.gov for Sequoia NP
- •HST permit includes Whitney access when exiting at Whitney Portal
- •Bear canister mandatory for entire trail
- •WAG bag required for Whitney Zone (above Lone Pine Lake)
- •Campfires prohibited above 9,000 feet
- •Group size limited to 15 people on trail, 12 off-trail
Gear Checklist
Required
- Bear canister (hard-sided, IGBC-approved)
- WAG bag for Whitney Zone portion
- Water filter (many sources but all require treatment)
- Warm sleeping bag rated to 20°F or lower
- Rain gear and insulating layers for high elevation
Recommended
- Trekking poles (essential for the 6,000 ft descent from Whitney)
- Microspikes and ice axe for early season
- Swimsuit for Kern Hot Springs
- Satellite communicator (no cell service for most of trail)
- Tom Harrison High Sierra Trail map
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for High Sierra Trail
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
↑
15,500ft
Gain↓
15,500ft
Loss⛰️
14,505ft
High📏
83.2mi
Distance📐
1.7%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•14 landmarks
Landmarks (14)
12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users
High Sierra Trail FAQ
How do I get a High Sierra Trail permit?
High Sierra Trail permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit High Sierra Trail?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the High Sierra Trail permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a High Sierra Trail permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise from the Whitney summit is extraordinary—the shadow of the peak stretches across the Owens Valley. Hamilton Lake at sunset with light hitting the surrounding cliffs is the trail's other signature shot.
Best Light
Early morning at Hamilton Lake provides mirror reflections. The granite around Precipice Lake glows in late afternoon light.
Beat the Crowds
The HST is far less crowded than the JMT until the trails merge. Early season (late June-early July) and late September offer more solitude.
Classic Shots
- 📍Hamilton Lake with granite cirque reflections
- 📍Precipice Lake's dramatic granite walls
- 📍Kern Hot Springs with steam rising at dawn
- 📍Mount Whitney from Guitar Lake at sunrise
- 📍Trail Crest views looking west into the Kern basin
- 📍The 99 Switchbacks from above
Can't Get a High Sierra Trail Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
HST to Kern Hot Springs Out-and-Back
Easier AlternativeHike to Kern Hot Springs and return via the same route, experiencing the hot springs without committing to the full traverse.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Approximately 60 miles round trip. Misses Whitney but includes the hot springs highlight.
HST with Mineral King Exit
Same AreaTake the HST to Big Arroyo, then exit via Mineral King rather than continuing to Whitney.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Shorter route that misses Whitney but allows a loop with shuttle logistics.
John Muir Trail (Full or Section)
Similar ExperienceThe 211-mile north-south route shares the final 18 miles with the HST including the Whitney summit.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Longer commitment but covers different Sierra terrain. Similar Whitney experience.
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