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Trail Crest

Mountain passes

Trail Crest

Highlight • Mountain Pass

Trail Crest

Name: Trail Crest
Rating: 2

Recommended by 1 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness

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Location: Tulare County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Trail Crest

hikers

1. Timberline Lake and Camp – Mount Whitney loop from Lone Pine

24.1km

09:29

1,200m

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

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Hard

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2. Mount Muir – View towards Hitchcock Lakes loop from Lone Pine

13.8km

04:56

850m

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

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Moderate

hikers

3. Guitar Lake – Mount Whitney loop from Lone Pine

16.1km

06:25

910m

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

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Hard

Tips

Jamie S.

February 20, 2025

Trail Crest is a major junction at 13,600 feet where the High Sierra Trail meets the Mt. Whitney Trail on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. It marks the highest pass on the route before summiting Mount Whitney (14,505 feet) or descending toward Whitney Portal (8,360 feet). Located about 2 miles from the Whitney summit and 8.5 miles from Whitney Portal, Trail Crest is the point where High Sierra Trail hikers must decide whether to continue to the summit or begin their long descent to Whitney Portal. Many hikers stash their heavy packs here before the final push to the top, but this comes with risks from marmots, and, unfortunately, thieves. From Trail Crest, the path to Whitney follows a rocky ridge with breathtaking views of both the western and eastern Sierra before reaching the summit. The descent from Trail Crest is long and steep, with countless switchbacks dropping into the Whitney Zone before reaching Whitney Portal, the official end of the High Sierra Trail.

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Informations

Elevation 4,130 m

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Sunday 30 November

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-11°C

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Max wind speed: 37.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Tulare County, California, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Whitney Portal Junction

Upper Trailside Camp

Cowboy Camp sites at the top of the small switchbacks

Smithsonian Institution Shelter

Steep climb to Discovery Pinnacle

Wallace Creek and campsites

Mount Muir

West Guitar Lake overlook

Rock Creek

John Muir Trail - PCT Junction (East Whitney)

Consultation Lake overlook

Whitney Portal

Trail Crest

1. Timberline Lake and Camp – Mount Whitney loop from Lone Pine

2. Mount Muir – View towards Hitchcock Lakes loop from Lone Pine

3. Guitar Lake – Mount Whitney loop from Lone Pine

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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