Sierra High Route Planning

Sierra High Route
Stage 1

[Overview] [Stage 1] [Stage 2] [Stage 3] [Stage 4] [Stage 5]

I'm excited about this stage as it is all new to me. The first day will be brutal hiking up out of Kings Canyon. (Maybe I can convince someone to take a day hike with me and sherpa some of my gear.)

Stage 1 Overview

Detail Maps

Section 3 - Kings Canyon "Roads End" to Horseshoe Lake
Section 2 - Horseshoe Lake to Mather Pass
Section 1 - Mather Pass to Dusy Basin and South Lake trailhead.

Logistics and Notes

Starts at Kings Canyon N.P. "Roads End" Copper Creek Trailhead, which is accessed from the west side (Fresno).
Ends at South Lake near Bishop on the east side.

Possible Climbs of Venacher Needle, North Palisade, Marion Peak, Goat Mtn.

Itinerary

Day	Start - End Points	Terrain	Miles	Elevation Gain/Loss
1	Cedar Grove - Grouse Lake	Tr	7	+5000
2	Grouse Lake - Lower Glacier Lk	XC	3.3	+1200 - 1000
3	Lower Glacier Lk - S. Fork Cartridge Crk	XC	6.6	+1300 - 1700
4	S. Fork Cartridge Crk - Marion Lake	XC	2.6	+1500 - 1400
5	Layover/Rest
6	Marion Lake - Mather Pass	XC	5.5	+2400 - 1300
7	Mather Pass - Potluck Lake	Tr/XC	6.25	+2200 - 2000
8	Potluck Lake - Dusy Basin	XC	3.5	+1200 - 1500
9	Dusy Basin - South Lake	Tr	6.5	+1000 - 2500

Mileage this stage: 41 miles

Loop Hikes

A loop hike is a short backpack trip that starts and ends at or near the same trailhead. Here are some possible hikes during this stage that allow hikers to meet John and accompany him for some small segment of the route and and then return to their starting point.

Kings Cyn - Marion Lake Loop (7-9 days)

Join John in King's Cyn at journey's start.
Hike with John: Grouse Lk, Marion Lake, Lake Basin.
Independent: South on trail over Cartridge Pass, to Bench Lk, Arrow Pass, Arrow Creek, Paradise Valley trail, back to King's Cyn.

Section 3

Section 2

Section 1

Sierra High Route Stage 1