Explore otherworldly spots in Sequoia National Park’s backcountry on foot
Embark on a striking trekking expedition through America’s Sequoia National Park on this legendary 10-day guided Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour. Each day, you’ll wind to otherworldly views: traverse through the unique-looking foxtail Pine Forests, camp at the scenic Rock Creek lake, hike across the Great Western Divide via Colby Pass.
The highlight of this 133-kilometre route is the stone age-like views of rocky mountains sprawled across the horizon, stabbing the air with their grey-tinged peaks. These remarkable views are visible from atop Mt. Whitney! Spend nights wild camping in remote areas dotting Sequoia National Park. This journey is challenging but so worth the effort.
Please check out this blog to find out more about the COVID-19 precautions during the tour.
Highlights of the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
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Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
Day 1 Begin in Fresno, California
Spend the first night of this epic backpacking trip at a hotel. Before you head to bed for a solid night of rest, you will meet your guide at 6 pm to go over the upcoming adventure in detail. You’ll also get a chance to check over your gear. You are in charge of buying your own dinner tonight.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fresno
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hike along Ferguson Creek
Transfer via a private shuttle to Horse Corral Meadow, where your hike begins. Walk to the Kanawyer Gap and Marvin Pass. Soon, you’ll descend to Ferguson Creek. Set up camp and enjoy your first night in nature.
Overnight Location: Camping at Ferguson Creek
Distance: 12 mi, 2644 ft ascent, 3081 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Go to Cloud Canyon
After packing up camp, you’ll start by meandering past the ranger station at Roaring River. This trail takes you to Cloud Canyon. Eventually, you’ll set up camp within the shadow of the Whaleback. Admire how this massive granite ridge imposes its dominance over the surrounding land.
Overnight Location: Camping at Whaleback
Distance: 9 mi, 2559 ft ascent, 666 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hike to Colby Pass
Continue along Colby Creek before reaching the pinnacle of the Great Western Divide. Follow Colby Pass to the ridge on the east and take a moment to revel in the supernatural views spanning this super remote area. Descent to Gallats Lake and relax at your campsite.
Overnight Location: Camping at Gallats Lake
Distance: 7 mi, 3268 ft ascent, 2264 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Head to Wallace Creek
Experience more intoxicating views today! Begin by hiking into the Kern-Kaweah River valley before descending into Kern Canyon. Ascent to Wallace Creek after traversing through fresh-smelling Jeffrey Pine forests. Pitch your tent at Wallace Creek. This is also where you connect with the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails.
Overnight Location: Camping at Wallace Creek
Distance: 11 mi, 2710 ft ascent, 2375 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Traverse foxtail Pine Forests
Start to catch a glimpse of Mt. Whitney today! But before you reach this masterpiece of a peak, you’ll have to travel through foxtail Pine Forests, which are only found in Sequoia National Park. Breathe in these spectacular views before dropping your bags and resting for the night at Guitar Lake, which sits below the great Mt. Whitney. Prepare for an early wake-up!
Overnight Location: Camping at Guitar Lake
Distance: 7 mi, 2034 ft ascent, 951 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Hike Mt. Whitney
Wake up early and mentally prepare to summit Mt. Whitney. You’ll leave your gear behind, so you can hike to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of neverending stony peaks without carrying extra weight on your back. After basking in the vistas, you’ll return to Guitar Lake and pack up camp and have lunch. The round trip for Guitar Lake to Mt. Whitney and back is around 15 km. You’ll then walk to just under the treeline of Crabtree Meadows.
Overnight Location: Camping at Crabtree Meadows
Distance: 14 mi, 3360 ft ascent, 4511 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Go to Rock Creek Lake
Meander along a flat section of the Pacific Crest Trail before a short ascent to Rock Creek lake. Spend the rest of the afternoon revelling in the beautiful scenery flanking the lake.
Overnight Location: Camping at Rock Creek lake
Distance: 10.5 mi, 1985 ft ascent, 1886 descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Hike over Cottonwood Pass
Enjoy your last few hours in nature as you go over Cottonwood Pass. Your private shuttle will be waiting for you at the trailhead with some refreshing beverages! You’ll then travel to Lone Pine, an outlandish western town. Take a shower at the hotel before meeting up with your group for dinner! You are in charge of paying for your own meal.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lone Pine
Distance: 10 mi, 1690 ft ascent, 2175 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Head back to Fresno
Consume a continental breakfast before heading back to Fresno. You will get dropped off at either the airport or at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. It’s suggested not to plan a flight before 3 pm!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour in the Sierra Nevada is always run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, therefore the price is fixed and only depends on the number of people sharing the room or a tent.
The prices below are per person:
Accommodation on Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
This backpacking adventure will have you staying in two different cozy hotels. Both hotels have modern necessities that will keep you comfy and relaxed. Keep in mind that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement. You will spend the remaining 7 nights backcountry camping.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $260 USD to have a private room in a hotel while traveling with a group. We can match the single travellers up, however, in case there aren’t any matches, you’ll have to pay a supplement of $130 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Wyndham Garden Hotel in Fresno ★★★
Enjoy this newly renovated and sparkling clean hotel in Fresno. Relax by the indoor and outdoor pools or admire the courtyard from your balcony.
Camping in Sequoia National Park
Revel in the mountainscapes as you camp at lakefront, riverside, and scenic spots below a blanket of stars.
Best Western Frontier in Lone Pine
When you stay here, you’ll receive superb service that will exceed expectations. Stay in a comfortable and immaculate room for an easy night’s sleep.
What’s included in the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour?
Meals
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 2 nights in hotels—one night in Fresno and one night in Lone Pine. 7 nights of wilderness camping are also included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Fresno are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Receive a free private shuttle ride from Fresno to the trailhead, from the ending trailhead to Lone Pine, and from Lone Pine back to Fresno.
Also Included
- Guide
- Personal backpacking gear (per request), such as sleeping bags, backpack, sleeping pads, tents, trekking poles
- Group gear, such as stoves, group first aid kit, cooking items, water filters, etc.
- Hot coffee and tea in the mornings
Not included
- Flights to get to and from Fresno.
- Personal clothing and shoes
- Accommodations before and after the adventure tour in Fresno
- Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service)
- Evacuations
- Insurance
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to a single occupancy in the hotel for an additional fee
- Extra night in Fresno before tour
- Extra night in Lone Pine after tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
SYMG was started in 1991 by three friends offering hiking trips into California's mountains in hopes of more closely meshing lifestyle with work. The combination proved successful and SYMG has become a leader in the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and executed trips in the most spectacular wilderness areas of California and beyond. Now, 30 years later, we've shown thousands of people the beauty of Yosemite and the High Sierra and have been named one of the "Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
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