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Natural Monuments

High Sierra Trailhead (West)

Natural Monuments

High Sierra Trailhead (West)

Highlight • Trail

High Sierra Trailhead (West)

Name: High Sierra Trailhead (West)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 11 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Sequoia National Park

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Location: Tulare County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to High Sierra Trailhead (West)

4.9

(28)

172

hikers

1. General Sherman Tree – View from Moro Rock loop from Orosi

20.5km

05:58

510m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.8

(12)

215

hikers

2. The Senate Giant Sequoias – Tough Twins loop from Orosi

12.7km

03:42

320m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

5.0

(16)

144

hikers

3. Tough Twins – General Sherman Tree loop from Orosi

8.81km

02:32

220m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Jamie S.

February 20, 2025

The western trailhead of the High Sierra Trail begins in Sequoia National Park at Crescent Meadow. Crescent Meadow is known as the “Gem of the Sierra” and is a truly amazing spot to begin the High Sierra Trail. Before starting the trek, hikers must pick up their wilderness permits at the Lodgepole Visitor Center, located about 10 miles from Crescent Meadow. Permits must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov, with a limited number of walk-up permits available at 1:00 PM the day before departure. All permits must be collected in person by 10:00 AM on the day of departure and must be carried on your person as you hike.

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

June 20, 2022

Western Trailhead of the famous trail that crosses the Sierra Nevada, mostly hiked from West to East, starting here in Sequoia National Park, following the Kern River and climbing over Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, to exit on the Eastern side at Whitney Portal to Lone Pine. It is a very scenic route that can be done easily in 6 days. It passes very scenic sections covered in wildflowers, remote natural hot springs, rivers, and glaciers.

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Saturday 17 January

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Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Tulare County, California, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

General Sherman Tree

Hiking Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park

View from Moro Rock

Lakes Trail (Heather, Emerald, and Pear Lakes)

Sunset Rock

Twin Sequoias

McKinley Tree

Black Arch Tree

Fallen Giant Sequoia in Sequoia National Park

Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park

The House Sequoia Grove

Kaweah River

High Sierra Trailhead (West)

1. General Sherman Tree – View from Moro Rock loop from Orosi

2. The Senate Giant Sequoias – Tough Twins loop from Orosi

3. Tough Twins – General Sherman Tree loop from Orosi

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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