The 124-mile Kings Canyon High Basin Route can be completed as a point-to-point thru-hike, or as a closed loop with the addition of 25 trail miles. Alternatively, shorter segments of the KCHBR can be completed as section-hikes. The number of miles you should expect to cover each day is primarily a function of your fitness and the amount…

To thru- or section-hike the Kings Canyon High Basin 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…

Thru-hiking East side The most logical termini for a Wind River High Route thru-hike are on the range’s east side: Bruce Bridge, 15 miles west of Lander, entirely on pavement Trail Lakes, 10 miles west of Dubois, mostly on gravel At both trailheads, you will find only a parking lot and an outhouse. No facilities,…

Is the Kings Canyon High Basin Route 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 KCHBR thru-hike is extremely demanding from start to finish, and a KCHBR section-hike will similarly be so for at least some portions. Here is what it takes:…

Primary trailheads The termini of the Kings Canyon High Basin Route are: Lodgepole, where there is a park visitor center, campground, and other services; and, Road’s End, a lone wilderness permit issuing station 6 miles east of Cedar Grove. These trailheads are both on the High Sierra’s western side and are separated by one intersection and a…

Besides personal factors, the feasibility of a Kings Canyon High Basin Route thru- or section-hike is driven most by: Snowfall during the previous winter, and the Monsoonal weather pattern. Bug pressure, daytime and nighttime temperatures, and daylight hours may also be important considerations, but they do not have the same potential to be deal-breakers. Snowfall Throughout…

I was more of a tourist than a hiker when I went to South Africa in May 2008. However, I still made notes about the hiking opportunities. In general, South Africa has a few excellent backcountry areas in which to hike, but they are disjointed, usually small, and underdeveloped in terms of trail networks; it…

When to go The optimal time to hike the SHR depends on your hiking skills and preferences, and the particular year. For all but the most experienced mountaineers, the SHR is probably off-limits from November through May—the avalanche dangers, stormy weather, and snow-related issues make the winter very risky. Of course, if it is a…