Finally pulled the trigger on the High Sierra Trail over the John Muir Trail section hike

I was stuck for weeks trying to pick between doing the full High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal or just a week on the JMT from Tuolumne Meadows south. The big thing was time. I only had 8 days free in July. The HST is about 72 miles, which felt tight but doable with some big days. The JMT section was maybe 50 miles and seemed easier. I went with the HST because I really wanted that classic east-west crossing. Man, it was tough. The climb up Kaweah Gap on day 3 wrecked me, but getting that first view of the Big Arroyo was insane. I summited Whitney on the last day totally spent, but it was worth every blister. Anyone else done the HST on a tight schedule? How did you pace it?

2 comments

2 Comments

jade3223h ago

Eight days for the High Sierra Trail is wild! That climb up Kaweah Gap alone would take me out for a full afternoon. You must have been moving at a serious pace to fit it all in, especially with the Whitney summit at the end. My legs are sore just thinking about it. Major respect for pulling that off on such a tight schedule.

juliaa2521h ago

My version of a big day is when I remember to bring a snack. You must have been practically running to finish in eight days. Did you train a lot for that kind of pace?