Trans-Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney

Your trip begins in Fresno, CA at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located across from the Fresno airport. You can check in at the hotel anytime after 4 pm. At 6 pm you will meet your guides and group for a trip orientation, where you’ll do a final gear check and discuss the details of the trip. Dinner tonight is on your own at the hotel.

Following breakfast at the hotel, 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’).

10 miles, Elevation: +1835’ /-3076’

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.

9.5 miles, Elevation: +2534’ /-640’

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.

6.7 miles, Elevation: +3268’/ -2257′

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.

8.5 miles, Elevation: +2656’ / -2317’

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 Crabtree Meadows under the Whitney massif at 11,500’. We’ll hit the sack early in preparation for our attempt of Mt. Whitney in the morning.

7 miles, Elevation: +​ 2034’/ -951′

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 make our way back down, past Guitar lake and back to Crabtree Meadows (10,400’).

14 miles, Elevation: +4500’ / -4497’

From Upper 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.

10 miles, Elevation: +1976’ /-2045’

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. 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 and enjoy dinner together in town (dinner not included).

10 miles, Elevation: +​ 1690’/ -2175′

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 Fairfield Inn & Suites. We suggest not planning flights before 3pm.