Sierra High Route Planning

Sierra High Route
Stage 5

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

This stage takes us by my favorite mountain in the range, Mt. Conness. A summit climb is on the agenda. This is the shortest stage, at only 28 miles. It should be relatively low key, and as it's the last stage, a celebratory mood will prevail, something akin to a "victory lap." A great stage to join in as you can get all the glory with little effort.

Stage 5 Overview

Detail Maps

Section 3 - Stanton Peak - Twin Lakes
Section 2 - North Peak - Stanton Peak
Section 1 - Tuolumne Meadows - North Peak

Logistics and Notes

Starts at Tuolumne Meadows.
Ends at Twin Lakes.

Possible climbs: Mt. Conness, North Pk, Matterhorn Pk

Itinerary

Day	Start - End Points	Terrain	Miles	Elevation Gain/Loss
1	Tuolumne Meadows - Great Sierra Mine	Tr	6	+2000
2	Great Sierra Mine - Fantail Lk (or Sawmill Campground)	XC	3	-900
3	Climb Mt. Conness Resupply Saddlebag Lk
4	Fantail Lk - Cascade Lk	XC	4	+1500 - 1300
5	Cascade Lk - Virginia Cyn	XC	4	+1200 - 2400
6	Virginia Cyn - Horse Crk	XC	6	+3000 - 2800
7	Climb Matterhorn Pk
8	Horse Crk - Twin Lakes (finish)	XC/Tr	3.75	- 2300

Miles this stage: 28

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.

Tioga loop (2-4 days).

Leave from Tuolumne with John and hike to one of several departure points:
Fantail lake, exit along Bennetville trail to Jct Campground.
Treble Lake, exit to Sawmill Campground.
Conness Lakes or Cascade Lake and exit via Saddlebag lake.
Any of these can be completed by a car shuttle, the Park shuttle bus, or a short hitchhike.

Victory Lap (2-3 days).

In at Saddlebag lake, join John near Conness or Cascade Lk
With John: travel north to finish at Twin Lakes.
A long car shuttle can be arranged back to Saddlebag Lake.

Section 3

Section 2

Section 1

Sierra High Route Stage 5