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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 15, 2020 9:02:04 GMT -8
Has anyone started from Horseshoe Meadows to go over the High Sierra Trail? With its huge entry quota (60:40 for a total of 100 per day) it dwarfs Crescent Meadow and the Inyo NF recreation dot gov real-time online permitting process is very attractive: at the end just like a hotel online reservation it’s all set with a confirmed date. The availability calendar means no wasted time applying for dates that are filled. I like that. I’ve been into the Golden Trout Wilderness but only from the west or further south. What’s it like? I’ve been to Horseshoe Meadow just a couple of years ago, pretty flowers, but didn’t do much more than wander the meadows. Head up to Crabtree etc. day hike Whitney, follow the HST west. Is the thought. www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5143453.pdf |
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 16, 2020 7:05:21 GMT -8
HSF: That is a great link. Thank you for posting it. Maybe the mods can make it a sticky so it doesn't get buried. To your question, no, haven't done it. Maybe hikerchick395 has? |
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Post by stevet on Jan 16, 2020 8:17:33 GMT -8
I've not gone this route (thinking about using Horseshoe Meadows this summer to avoid the JMT lottery). The book Sierra South has a pretty good route description and this trip report pics will give you a pretty good feel for the aesthetics backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/81314/. Supposedly the route via Cottonwood Lakes and over New Army Pass is more scenic than the route over Cottonwood Pass (trade off being a couple miles longer and more difficult). |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 16, 2020 9:53:48 GMT -8
HSF: That is a great link. Thank you for posting it. Maybe the mods can make it a sticky so it doesn't get buried. To your question, no, haven't done it. Maybe hikerchick395 has? It’s a handy one isn’t it? It’s a bit more accessible than it used to be as it’s linked in the new Inyo recreation dot gov wilderness permit webpage: a nice list of the east side options. |
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Post by hikerchick395 on Jan 16, 2020 10:03:58 GMT -8
No I haven't gone that route. Only have been over the passes, up Langley or loop, while camping at Golden Trout Lakes.
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markskor
Trail Wise!
Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651 
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Post by markskor on Jan 16, 2020 10:44:46 GMT -8
Have done 3 different trail variations, starting from Horseshoe Meadows (HM) to Crabtree Meadows (CM)...thoughts: (See TOPO).
HM west - Cottonwood Pass - Siberian Pass - Guyot Flats - CM...probably the flattest/ easiest/ quickest but meh...a bit of a dull, dry slog and not that scenic. Best if wanting to do the "miles" fastest but, after one time through, decided there had to be a better way, especially if you don't mind adding an extra day or so.
HM north - Golden Trout Camp - Cottonwood Lakes (CL) - Old Army Pass (OAP). The trail wanders a bit till Golden Trout then improves as it gets closer to CL. OAP can be daunting as not that well-maintained. From below at CL #5, cornice looked harder than it was...stark. Can fish for Goldens there in all the CLs.
HM north - (not shown on some TOPOS, but) a well-marked trail (maps posted up in HM show this trail), same start as above, that splits off to South Fork Lake (no fish) after ~3 miles - Long Lake - High Lake - New Army Pass (NAP) - Rock Creek - Lower Soldier (good camp/ bear boxes here). This is my preferred route. NAP usually holds a cornice late too but not that hard to get up and over.
After NAP or OAP, from Lower Soldier/Rock Creek area you have the options of either -
Miter Basin - amazing...(Talked to Doug, owner at the Portal Store. He drew on my TOPO the best x-country route up... as easy to get cliffed out. I will look for the map somewhere.) Stayed above Sky-Blue... and over the scree field of Crabtree Pass and down to Crabtree Lakes and eventually CM, or -
West following the PCT - joins the Guyot Flats trail again to CM...FYI, later in the season water is scarce along this section.
Not knowing how much time you have, but if conditions allow... suggest HM - South Fork Lakes - NAP - Miter Basin - Crabtree Pass - CM. BTW, there is a great outside crapper, not to be missed, in CM.
mark
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795
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Post by toejam on Jan 17, 2020 6:48:29 GMT -8
The bottle neck for the west entry is the Whitney Portal exit, right? I haven't heard complaints about getting a Crescent Meadow permit. You can also enter the west side from Mineral King. Going westbound or eastbound is all the same to me - all great stuff. And the west face climb of Whitney is nicer with less people and better acclimation.
I wouldn't do the 300-mile car shuttle. I'd figure a loop or out-and-back that keeps me on the same side of the range.
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almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Jan 17, 2020 8:47:07 GMT -8
The HST is very popular and I have heard complaints about Crescent Meadow, but people can work around by using the Alta trailhead at Wolverton and walking down to the HST on one of the two connector trails. It misses the sequoias though. The other workaround is the less-maintained Middle Fork trail -- low, hot as Hades in summer, less maintained.
I would hike through and hitch into town, and ride public trans home. Doing west to east would mean not having to go back over there for the car... I could ride the shuttle into the park from Visalia after a friend drops me off.
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