Vent: I picked the High Sierra Trail over the John Muir Trail and I'd do it again

Shane Ross · 2026-10-10T19:10:02.699968+00:00

Everyone I talked to said do the JMT first, but I went with the High Sierra Trail out of Sequoia instead and it was the right call for me. You get the same kind of granite and alpine lakes without fighting 30 people for a permit or a campsite every night. Did it in 6 days to Whitney and the climb out of Kern Canyon kicked my butt, but I saw maybe 8 other hikers the whole time. Has anyone else skipped the JMT for the HST, or am I the only one who thinks the permits are totally backwards?

HW Forums

Loading…

Vent: I picked the High Sierra Trail over the John Muir Trail and I'd do it again | Backpacking Routes - HW Forums