Quickstart guide: Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls
Link-ups for JMT, PCT, & SHR
The Yosemite High Route intersects with three other popular long-distance trails in the High Sierra: John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Sierra High Route. Thru- and section-hikers on these other routes can easily link up with the Yosemite High Route to extend an itinerary, change course, or inject more adventure and challenge. There are…
Approaches to the Core Route
The “best stuff” on the Yosemite High Route spans 94 miles between: Grace Meadow, near the northern park boundary; and the, Base of Quartzite Peak, at the Merced River. Between these two points, expect world-class scenery, engaging navigation, notable (but not contrived) physical challenge, and untrammeled wilderness. Before and after, expect something less, at least…
Trailheads Map
The Yosemite High Route can be undertaken in its entirety or in sections, starting from multiple trailheads in the park and on adjacent National Forest lands. The Yosemite High Route Guide includes route descriptions and datasheets for multiple itineraries, and instructions for obtaining a wilderness permit from Yosemite National Park and the US Forest Service.
Transportation Map
Yosemite National Park is in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California, several hours distant from major cities and transportation hubs in the Central Valley, Bay Area, southern California, and eastern Sierra. A comprehensive list of travel options is included in the Yosemite High Route Guide. This map is meant to complement that information.
Laugavegur Camping Regulations
Recently I was contacted by a hut warden along Iceland’s Laugavegur hiking trail in regard to camping regulations. Given the increased popularity of the trail since I hiked it nearly a decade ago, these regs have even greater importance now. Please read them: Hi Andrew — I am a hut warden in one of the huts on Laugavegur.…
What Section Hike is best for you?
For a statistical comparison of the eight Section Hikes, refer to this page. Here, I’d like to add more color to the data by offering thoughts about the virtues of each itinerary and its appropriateness for different types of backpackers. For each Section Hike, the Wind River High Route Guide includes a dedicated Mapset and…
Are you ready for the High Route?
Is the Wind River High Route right for you? Without more personal context, I can’t say. But I can provide information about the route that will help you make your own decision. A WRHR thru-hike is extremely demanding from start to finish, and a section-hike will similarly be so for at least some portions. Here…
Topographic Maps
To thru- or section-hike the Wind River High Route, I both carry and recommend three types of maps: Paper overview map Paper detailed maps Digital maps stored on a GPS unit This 3-map system is standard for most of my trips; read an in-depth explanation and discussion of it. The information below is specific to…
Scheduling Considerations
The backpacking season for the Wind River High Route is short: three months, July through September, in an average year. But the most optimal window is even shorter: August through mid-September, or mid-July through mid-September after a dry winter. By pushing it earlier or later, you are more likely to encounter heavy bug pressure, high-water…