Kiwi hikers looking for a 3 week loop in the Sierra’s?

[RedRaven]

I have not measure distances or thought about how to break this into day or resupply, but here is an idea of destinations to check out. I've hiked some of this and dreamed of doing the rest. This would give a mix of trails and people and a bunch of cross country travel with basically no one around. You could easily set up a base camp in some places for a couple days and do some day hiking without packs.


You could do the HST all the way to Whitney (and then work your way north and see Wallace & Wales & Tulainyo lakes and the Wright Lakes and then the Upper Kern area (possible detour to MIlestone and Kaweah Basins) then either Forester or Junction or Harrison Passes then north on the JMT (resupply at Onion Valley) over Glen Pass to Rae Lakes with a detour to 60 Lakes and possibly Gardiner Basin (or skip Glen Pass and go Charlotte Lake to Gardiner to 60 Lakes to Rae) then north on JMT over Pinchot Pass then aim for the Sierra High Route and Cartridge Basin (head south if you want to at this point over Red, White and Grey Passes towards your starting point).

If you want more distance don't go to Cartridge Pass, but stay on the JMT and over Mather Pass, then pick up the SHR out of Palisade Lakes over Cirque, Potluck and Knapsack Passes to Dusy Basin (might be a good resupply). It might be time to head south at this point so JMT south to Cataract Creek and Amphitheater Lake then Cataract Creek Pass to Dumbell Lakes to Lakes Basin and the SHR over Red, White and Grey Passes and head towards Roads End up Deadmans Canyon, Lonely Lake, Tablelands and back to the car.

Just the JMT part of this to Palisade Lakes would be about 60 miles and 13000' of elevation gains/losses.

There are a ton of other trip reports if you search for some of these areas

The HST map is really useful for the cross country passes https://www.highsierratopix.com/high-si ... &cat=&mt=3

Here are a couple of trip reports that I have done in some of these areas just to give you an idea of distances and sights

Starting at Taboose Pass and going over Mather, Cirque, Potluck, and Knapsack Passes through Dusy then back https://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/20 ... -2022.html

Starting at Shepherd Pass and going though the Upper Kern and Kaweah Basin https://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/20 ... -2021.html

Starting at Cottonwood Pass with the JMT to Wallace and Wales Lakes and then south through Crabtree and MIter Basins https://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/20 ... -2020.html

HI wsp_scott, thanks for the detailed route suggestions. I've manage to trace your proposed routes and think I can use a lot of your ideas. I'll start looking through your blogs to get a better idea of terrain and come back with any questions. I really appreciate the time you put into your response, thanks

[stevet]

Regarding resupply. I have planned "figure 8" routes where on day 1 I carry the extra bear can and food stashing it in brush ~50' from the trail or route and have the day before starting a long hike dayhiked resupplies, likewise stashing ~50' from the trail. Never an issue. I've not used backcountry bear boxes as resupply storage.

And should you, Red Raven plan your route around the Bubbs Creek corridor, Cedar Grove, at least of a few years ago, would accept and hold resupply buckets. Can generally thumb a ride from Roads End, retrieve and thumb back (or maybe shower then thumb back). Can also stay the night in the front country campground (or hotel), and thumb back in the morning.

[RedRaven]

Regarding resupply. I have planned "figure 8" routes where on day 1 I carry the extra bear can and food stashing it in brush ~50' from the trail or route and have the day before starting a long hike dayhiked resupplies, likewise stashing ~50' from the trail. Never an issue. I've not used backcountry bear boxes as resupply storage.

And should you, Red Raven plan your route around the Bubbs Creek corridor, Cedar Grove, at least of a few years ago, would accept and hold resupply buckets. Can generally thumb a ride from Roads End, retrieve and thumb back (or maybe shower then thumb back). Can also stay the night in the front country campground (or hotel), and thumb back in the morning.

Thanks stevet, we were thinking of starting from Onion Valley thinking it was logistically easier. Thanks for the tips, I'll look into the Cedar Grove option.

[maxr22]

I think a potential strategy is aiming to cross the range and come back again via a different route. Where you start on a west side or east side trailhead, circuitously cross to the other side of the range and resupply, then make your way back to the trail head.

https://caltopo.com/m/FD565H3/HSJ7QL1BA7A30SSC

The red and blue lines are the main route. The green and yellow lines are alternative ways to get to the start of the red line.

An example of this strategy: start your hike at Roads End in kings canyon. Have a resupply in a bear box at the south lake trailhead on the east side. Go northbound up either lewis creek or copper creek. Check out volcanic lakes and horseshoe lakes. Depart from the trail and head over gray pass, white pass, and red pass. Then explore Marion lake and lakes basin. Depart from lakes basin by way of dumbbell pass. Explore dumbbell basin, and exit dumbbell basin by way of cataract creek pass. Descend to the JMT, proceeding over bishop pass to south lake to resupply. This is the southern part of the roper high route I believe.

Come back over bishop pass and either go through leconte canyon or stay up high and go over knapsack pass and explore palisade basin. Then head southbound on the JMT. If you want more off trail you can head to bench lake and go over white fork pass, white fork saddle, and check out window peak lake. If your group wants to stick to trail then continue on JMT over Pinchot pass. Either way you will meet up again with the JMT at the big woods creek bridge (currently now in questionable condition but by august and September you will great to cross in water). By now I would expect the group to be thoroughly worked, so continue on JMT south bound through rae lakes and glen pass. Once you meet up with the Bubbs creek trail, make the final descent to roads end.

I haven't mapped out exact daily mileage or real feasibility in my example. But quickly checking the numbers, it does look like this could be done in your timeframe. I have been to numerous places in my example and can assure you that there are some good places in here, about as remote as it gets in California.

[LuckySVT]

Not a loop but JMT NoBo, Kennedy Meadows start. You've got the distance and the resupply points.

Big Seki is a solid option at 185 miles and gets you some of the best of the HST. Add on a few days to explore Little 5 & Big 5 Lakes near Arroyo Junction or extend the loop by going over Sawtooth or Franklin and coming back over Black Rock. Resupply in Onion Valley & a town/Zero day in Independence?
Or you can hire one of the authorized Pack Stations and have supplies dropped.

September is hot, bug free, and the crowds are low. Downside is the lack of daylight so doing big miles is quite a bit tougher You'll also all be carrying bear canisters which adds weight and takes up space.

[Wandering Daisy]

I am confused. I thought JMT ended with a climb of Whitney and out Whitney Portal. Do you mean Kennedy Meadows South, and the trail you refer to is the PCT, not JMT? Then why would you go in Kennedy Meadows south instead of Cottonwood? What is "BigSEKI"?

[grampy]

... What is "BigSEKI"?

LuckySVT is suggesting that the OP consider doing the "Big SEKI Loop" -

https://caltopo.com/m/526C

[LuckySVT]

I am confused. I thought JMT ended with a climb of Whitney and out Whitney Portal. Do you mean Kennedy Meadows South, and the trail you refer to is the PCT, not JMT? Then why would you go in Kennedy Meadows south instead of Cottonwood? What is "BigSEKI"?

The JMT is traditionally done South Bound with a Yosemite start, but you can do it North Bound and if you pick it up in Kennedy Meadows no JMT permit is required.
You can still summit Whitney but need to camp at Crabtree as you don't have a Whitney Zone permit. So you leave your tent set-up and just take a light pack.

Big SeKi is a 185-mile loop - https://doingmiles.com/route-big-seki-loop/