The High Sierra is probably our favorite backpacking destination in the lower 48. The range is huge and intricate; the towering mountains are majestic; the off-trail travel is both blissful and exciting; road access is very limited; and the crowded, high-use areas are easy to leave behind. These are just a few of the reasons we run trips every year in areas like Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings, Emigrant, and Inyo.
Yesterday evening, Andrew and I hosted a livestream tutorial about how to plan a backpacking trip to this spectacular location. We fit in as much as we could in one hour, covering topics such as:
- The appeal of backpacking there
- The challenges of backpacking there
- An orientation to the range
- What to expect during each month of the Sierra backpacking season
- How to know what conditions to expect for your upcoming trip
- Gear considerations
- Permitting and regulations
- Deciding whether to take traction for early season conditions
- High creek detours
- Resources for planning an itinerary
- When to expect mosquitoes and how to prepare
Resources mentioned
- California snow water content
- Planning logistics
- Detouring the San Joaquin River
- Hazardous High Sierra creeks: list, map, and alternates
- Conditions assessment template
- Trip planning: go-to resources
- Backpacking the Sierra in a high snow year