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Photo by Neil Satterfield |
Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney and Beyond!
Traversing the highest and one of the wildest sections of California, this Sierra Mountain Guides backpacking trip will meet and exceed all of your expectations. Whether you’re looking to touch the highest point in the Lower 48 states, tick a section of the world-renowned John Muir Trail, break into high-altitude trekking, or some combination of these, the Onion Valley to Mount Whitney trip is just what you need. Many people reach the summit of Mount Whitney from the east. Many people head into the Sierra backcountry for a night or two. Many people marvel from the valley floor at the massive relief of the Southern Sierra. You’re choosing to get out there, get creative, see the mountains on your own terms. Your SMG guide will work with you from the beginning. From the moment you sign up we’ll work with you on packing for our mountain weather and planning your conditioning regimen. On the trail we’ll prepare food and help with the transition to high altitude and work through any challenges we face.
Trip Itinerary | Prerequisites | Additional Information
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| TRIP ITINERARY: Onion Valley to Mt Whitney and Beyond! |
DAY 1
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Meet at Horseshoe Meadows backpacker’s parking, bear-proof our cars, make final packing decisions, and shuttle to Onion Valley. Today, our first hiking day, does involve some altitude gain over Kearsarge Pass(about 2600 vertical feet) and 8.9 miles of hiking, but we camp as low as possible (9600 feet at Vidette Meadow) to make the transition to altitude as gentle as we can.
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DAY 2 |
Today the acclimatization is starting to kick in, and we tackle, slowly and steadily, the highest point on the entire Pacific Crest Trail- Forester Pass (13,180 feet). Once over Forester Pass we’ll camp among the lakes and streams under Diamond Mesa. Stats: 3600 vertical feet of gain, 9 miles. |
DAY 3 |
Mellowing out a bit, on Day 3 we’ll cruise through forests and meadows, rolling over about 600 vertical feet of gain, past Tyndall Creek and the headwaters of the Kern River to Wallace Creek. 8 miles. |
DAY 4 |
Another day of forested trails, gentle rolls, and more killer views of the remote, dark and menacing Kaweah Range. Our camp this night will be near Crabtree Meadow and we’ll set up for a couple of nights there. Stats: 500 vertical feet, 5 miles.
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DAY 5 |
The big day, the top of the Range, California and the contiguous states, a Mount Whitney summit the secret back way! We’ll set out early with our day packs and cruise to the top. We really needn’t say much more about the top. It’ll be cool. Stats: 15 miles, 3000 feet of gain. |
| DAY 6 |
After pounding up Mount Whitney we’ll roll along through mixed trees and meadows to a camp at Rock Creek. 10 miles, 600 vertical feet. |
| DAY 7 |
Our last day on the trail is far from a let down. The southern reaches of the High Sierra, below the fourteeners and the mobs of backpackers is a quiet forest of smooth trails and more meadows. The mileage is high this day (13 miles and 1800 vf.), but we’ll finish at a well-stocked car campsite. You’ll be welcome to head on home, or to a room in Lone Pine, but really, why break the high country buzz with a late night drive. Join us for a trail head partaay!! |
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TRIP DETAILS
Trip Length:
7 days
Date: August 5-11
(Custom trips also available)
Cost: $845.00
Trip Difficulty:
Level 2
Recommended Follow-up Trips:
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Ten Lakes
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