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Karen Schwartz, owner of Sage To Summit Sports runs perfect trail near Selden Pass, John Muir Trail. |
High Sierra Hut to Hut!
September 6-9, 2012
Hut to Hut Fastpacking means moving rapidly, unencumbered, and with maximum comfort. We use mountain lodging on the Western edge of the John Muir Wilderness to allow a major, point to point, guided, multiday Sierra adventure with just a light running pack. If you'd like 20 miles of perfect trails followed by a glass of wine, a home-cooked meal, a shower, or a soak in natural hot springs then join us for this amazing event.
What is Fastpacking? - article
The High Sierra Hut to Hut is a brilliant link up of two trans-Sierra hikes by way of one of the most scenic and remote sections of the John Muir Trail. The trip starts and finishes on the Eastside of the range. We stay at the Vermillion Valley Resort one night, then the Muir Trail Ranch for two nights. In between, we enjoy some of the best mountain trail running and hiking in the world. We allow an extra day at Muir Trail ranch to explore with guides up Evolution Valley, or just to enjoy relaxing and stretching at the resort, soaking in the hot springs, riding horses, or fishing the lake. Ask us about the option of meeting family or friends who are not interested in long days on the trail at the resorts as you go! Ask anyone who truly knows the High Sierra... THIS is an amazing itinearary. And with an outstanding group of guides we might add!
Trip Itinerary | Prerequisites | Additional Information
Trip Report- coming soon
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| TRIP ITINERARY: High Sierra Hut to Hut! |
DAY 0
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Meet at the Sierra Mountain Guides office in Bishop, CA. This is an important logistical meeting to make sure everyone is prepared for the trip. A great opportunity to meet the guides, look at the maps, and pick up any last minute items from Sage to Summit. |
DAY 1
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Early shuttle up to Mosquito Flat Trailhead in Rock Creek (10,000+ ft.). Enjoy a beautiful hike up Little Lakes Valley and up over Mono Pass. Here we encounter a surreal moonscape and some unbelieveable trail running on a long, gradual descent past the Mono Recesses, and down to Lake Thomas Edison. We ferry across the lake to the Vermillion Valley Resort where we have real fishing lodge-style accommodations complete with heat, showers, beds, and a real restaurant.
17 miles. Total Vertical Gain/Loss: +2300'/-4900' |
DAY 2
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Breakfast at the Resort and back on the ferry to where we left the trail the day prior. We head up to the Pacific Crest Trail (and John Muir Trail) where we turn South and follow Bear Creek up to picturesque alpine lakes and meadows beneath Selden Pass. From the spectacular vistas of the pass we descend on perfect running trails amidst fantastic little lakes. This eventually leads to a big descent to the South Fork of the San Joaquin River which leads to Muir Trail Ranch, a rare, historic, private inholding in the wilderness 5.5 miles upstream from Florence Lake. The Ranch is idyllic with cabins, wonderful home cooking, and natural hot springs pools. This is right where every big mountain day should end.
21.5 miles. Total Vertical Gain/Loss: +4500'/-4500' |
DAY 3
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We like Muir Trail Ranch so much, we stay there again on Day 3. There are many possible activities to enjoy: guided exploration of the Sierra, a jaunt to Florence Lake, horseback riding, or just a relaxing rest day of stretching and soaking in hot springs. The option is yours.
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DAY 4
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The final day we wake up to a nice breakfast and say goodbye to the Ranch. We head back up the trail to where Piute Creek meets the San Joaquin. We continue Northeast up the deep and imposing Piute Canyon to Hutchinson Meadow where great trail running begins again. The finale takes us up through the gorgeous alpine meadows and lakes in the giagantic expanse of the Humphreys Basin before crossing Piute Pass and descending the colorful canyon beneath Mt. Emerson. Finish at North Lake, and shuttle back to Rock Creek to pick up vehicles.
18 miles. Total Vertical Gain/Loss: +4100'/-2500'
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Prerequisites:
- Excellent Physical Condition, Health, and Fitness.
- Ability to hike/run 20 miles with significant elevation gain of 4,500 and/or loss of 4,000 feet a day carrying a small backpack of 4-6 lbs.
- Recommended sub-4.5 hour marathon time
- Recommended prior experience running trail ultramarathons, 50K or longer.
- Recommended prior acclimatization, 1-2 days above 11,000', sleeping above 9000'
- Recommended prior experience backpacking and wilderness travel
Other Information:
- Detailed equipment list will be sent after registration. All equipment for this trip can be purchased at Sage to Summit in Bishop, CA.
- Personal items to have at camp must arrive to our office in advance no later than 5 days before trip start date. Address: 312 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514
- It is important to treat preparing yourself physically for this trip as you would for a marathon or ultramarathon race. We recommend, after achieving baseline fitness, a minimum of 10 weeks targeted training for the demands of long distance mountain running and hiking on uneven, rocky terrain. Contact us if you have any questions about the specifics of your training program.
Cost Includes:
- Guides
- All lodging during trip
- Maps
- Wilderness permits
- Wholesome, gourmet meals at Muir Trail Ranch
- Vehicle shuttle
- 10% discount on all equipment purchased at Sage to Summit
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