High Sierra Topix

Looking for suggestions for about a 100 mile backpack loop in Sequoia this summer. I am debating between going from Lodgepole - Ranger Lake - Roaring River down Colby Pass to Junction Meadow to Funston Meadow to Little 5 Lakes to Bearpaw Meadow back to Lodgepole - or after Roaring River heading down Deadmans Canyon to Elizabeth Pass up to Precipice Lake and over to Little 5 Lakes to Bearpaw to Lodgepole. Any suggestions on which may be more scenic and less crowded or other suggestions for a loop?.

Thanks

I think any 100 mile loop in sequoia won't be a disappointment. How much time do you have?
In 2005 I did a loop similar to what you suggest, where I started at Crescent Meadow, went over Kaweah Gap and down into Kern canyon (the hot spring were amazing), up over Colby pass, then up through Deadman Canyon back to Crescent Meadow. Not sure about the mileage, I think it falls short of 100 by many 10's, but it sure was amazing. I'd recommend allowing time for sidetrips, as there are many places to divert along the way.

Thanks for the info - you are right, any loop will be good. Planning on six days.

Hi Shadow,
Welcome to Topix! We did a 5 day trip from Mineral King, Timber Gap, Redwood Meadow, Bearpaw Mdw, Hamilton Lk, Precipice Lk, Kaweah Gap, Big Arroyo, Little Five Lakes, Lost Canyon, Sawtooth Pass, and back to Mineral King. It was all on trail, and nowhere close to 100 mi. You could probably do side trips if you want to get more in. Like trailblazer said, you won't be disappointed.

Part 1: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/79181828tUUmhh
Part 2: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/79181842OcWxlF
Part 3: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/79181851hKCmli
Part 4: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/80705045ciDAaA

oops, forgot to add the link to my photos...which are here

Thanks - great pictures. I thought I was late in applying for my permit and possibly the trail quots were full, but I just found out that they do not even accept reservations until March 1st.

If you don't want to bother with a reservation you can do the same loop by starting at the sunset meadow trailhead. You use one of three entrances from the same trail head. Unless you are starting on a holiday weekend only the Sugarloaf entrance has a chance of being full.

J.O. Pass Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead): Limit 15 people/day.

Belle Canyon Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead): Moderate hike; first 2 miles (3.2 km) hardest. Forests, lakes and vistas. 6 miles (9.6 km) to Seville Lake; 8 miles (12.8 km) to Lost Lake. First campsite - Rowell Meadow (2 miles/3.2 km) Limit 25 people/day.

Sugarloaf Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead): Moderate hike. Spectacular glaciated canyons. First campsite - Rowell Meadow (2 miles/3.2 km) Limit 25 people/day.

The best places in the area are off the maintained trail. There are old cow and sheep trails all over the place if you know where to look. Also some old trapper cabins and mine claims.

Mike

I can do everything I used to do. It just takes me a little longer. Sometimes thats not so bad!

Last summer did 128 mile loop, Crescent Mdw to Whitney Summit on the HST then returning via Kern-Kaweah, Colby Pass, Deadman Canyon. Spectacular scenery all the way. Read about it here http://forums.backpacker.com/eve/forums ... 3431023811 and here http://forums.backpacker.com/eve/forums ... 023811[url]. And pics here http://share.dell.shutterfly.com/action ... Wjhs4btnFA[/url].

But as was said earlier, there isn't a possibility of bad scenery. Steve

trailblazer wrote: In 2005 I did a loop similar to what you suggest, where I started at Crescent Meadow, went over Kaweah Gap and down into Kern canyon (the hot spring were amazing), up over Colby pass, then up through Deadman Canyon back to Crescent Meadow. Not sure about the mileage, I think it falls short of 100 by many 10's

We are considering this very route but using Tom Harrison's map as a referrence, the mileage appears to be right at 90 miles. I saw another estimate at 75 miles. I assume you're using the HST until Junction Meadow, then west to Colby Pass...

May I ask what your best guesstimate of mileage is? How long did you take to do this route? Would you do anything differently?

Hi Jim

It came out to be 94 miles rounded up. Are you interested in cross-
country or does it have to be all trail?
How many miles do you do a day(trail and on xc routes)?
Do you want layover days included? If trail are you carrying bear
canisters or relying on bear boxes?
What month were you planning to go?