High Sierra Trails

A Backpackers' Guide to the Most Spectacular Trails in the Sierra Nevada

Buck Lakes, Emigrant Wilderness, California



Discover the Best of California's

High Sierra Trails


High Sierra Trails

With every featured trip . . .

  • a complete trail description, including a trail elevation profile
  • Wilderness Permit information for every trip on the trip's Permits page.
  • custom maps showing trails, natural features, mileages, and the best campsite locations
  • photographs of the trail and the countryside
  • trailhead information, parking, facilities
  • applicable wilderness rules, including special regulations governing campfires, bear canisters, and camping limitations
  • alternate routes, side trips, nearby peaks to climb
  • fishing
  • locations of any nearby bear boxes and ranger stations

The John Muir Trail

Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park

  • The John Muir Trail, Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney
    • a 220-mile adventure through the grandest and most picturesque regions of the Sierra Nevada

Eastern Sierra Trails

Fourth Big Pine Lake, John Muir Wilderness, California

Fourth Big Pine Lake, John Muir Wilderness

  • Baboon Lakes, Sabrina Basin west of Bishop
    • 4½-mile hike from Lake Sabrina trailhead
  • Barney Lake, Mono County, near Twin Lakes
    • A 4.7-mile hike to this pretty lake with a beach and views of Crown Point
  • Big Pine Lakes, Inyo County, south of Bishop
    • Seven alpine lakes amid jagged peaks
  • Cinko Lake, Hoover Wilderness
    • Hike from Leavitt Meadow to this pretty lake with good fishing
  • Cottonwood Lakes, southwest of Lone Pine and Mt. Whitney
    • 5.9 miles to many lakes, gateway to New Army Pass & Mt. Langley
  • East Lake, Mono County, near Bridgeport
    • An easy 3.2-mile hike for a weekend trip at a scenic lake
  • Golden Bear Lake, Kings Canyon National Park
    • Cross Kearsarge Pass and hike south on the John Muir Trail.
  • Hilton Lakes, Southern Mono County, Rock Creek area
    • A moderate 4.6-mile hike to great camping lakes
  • North Lake to South Lake, Kings Canyon National Park,
    • a 54-mile loop through some of Kings Canyon National Park's most spectacular terrain
  • Pioneer Basin, John Muir Wilderness
    • Seven remote lakes spread across a high alpine basin
  • Sixty Lake Basin, Kings Canyon National Park
    • Rugged hike over Kearsarge and Glen passes to remote alpine lakes

Northern Sierra Trails

Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park, California

Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park

  • Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park
    • Picturesque Lakes only 3½ miles from Tuolumne Meadows
  • Emigrant Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, Tuolumne County
    • Multi-day trip to a fabulous fishing lake
  • Fontanillis & Dicks Lakes, Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado Co.
    • Great weekend trip to a pair of fabulous lakes near Lake Tahoe
  • Kennedy Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, Tuolumne County
    • The perfect weekend trip to a stunning mountain lake
  • Lake Aloha, Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado Co.
    • Hike from Echo Lakes to this dramatic, granite-bound lake.
  • Little Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
    • One of the most spectacular hikes in the Sierra, gateway to Half Dome
  • Tuolumne Mdws. to Devils Postpile, Yosemite to Mammoth
    • Hike on the John Muir Trail through breathtaking scenery
  • Young Lakes, Yosemite National Park
    • A great weekend destination, 6.4 miles from Tuolumne Meadows

Southern Sierra Trails

Window Peak, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Window Peak, Kings Canyon National Park

  • Bear Creek, John Muir Wilderness
    • Lake Edison area trail leading to dozens of alpine lakes
  • Elizabeth Pass, Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks
    • A 49-mile loop hike over Silliman and Elizabeth passes.
  • Evolution Valley, John Muir Wilderness to Kings Canyon
    • Many call Evolution Valley the most beautiful spot in the Sierra
  • Graveyard Lakes, John Muir Wilderness
    • Hike 7 miles from Lake Edison to scenic lakes with great fishing
  • The High Sierra Trail, Sequoia National Park
    • 71 trans-Sierra miles from Crescent Meadow to Mount Whitney
  • Paradise Valley, Kings Canyon National Park
    • A wonderful weekend trip out of Cedar Grove
  • Rae Lakes, Kings Canyon National Park
    • A multi-day trip to fabulous lakes, part of the Rae Lakes Loop
  • Vidette Meadow, Kings Canyon National Park
    • Hike up to Bubbs Creek trail to a beautiful mountain meadow