The High Sierra Trail - Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal

The High Sierra Trail leads from Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park up the canyon of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, crossing the Great Western Divide by the 10,700' pass known as Kaweah Gap. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. After running up the bottom of the Kern Canyon, it turns east, climbing parallel to Wallace Creek up to the junction with the John Muir Trail, 49 miles from the starting point. You can then follow the John Muir Trail about 13 more miles to the summit of Mount Whitney and then down to Whitney Portal.
Work began on the High Sierra Trail in 1928, and it was the first Sierra trail built solely for recreational use.
We camped at these campsites during the trip: 9 Mile creek, Hamilton Lake, Big Arroyo, Upper Funston, Tyndall Junction, Guitar Lake, Outpost Camp.
Please checkout my friends channels that also came along on this trip:
Robert: / @20robertang
Robert's Video of the trip: • "HIGH SIERRA TRAIL" F...
Don: / @hangingonthetrail
Matt: / @leadmeoutdoors
Steve: / @tubasolothehiker
#highsierratrail #hst #mtwhitney #huckoutdoors

[@johoover209]

I just discovered you on here today and immediately hit subscribe. Amazing videos! Forget Netflix I'm binge watching your channel. Being I live close to Yosemite, it's nice to see more of California's trails. Awesome awesome awesome

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words! You have some beautiful country up north!

[@ScottyBrunton]

I took a bath in that tub in the Kern river canyon when I was 16.... I'm now 68. I LOVED your video!!! Thank you all!! Memories!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Woah! That must have been a great trip! Thanks for watching!

[@genefranklyn8956]

My Family has been up the White Chief trail through 4 or5 generations. I started going at about 7 yrs old in 1952. I never stopped going to Mineral King for my entire life. (I'm 73 now.) When I got married of course we had our Honeymoon at Mineral King! Your Video on going to White Chief brought back so many amazing and wonderful memories. I appreciated a lot that you have that same enthusiasm for the beauty and animals that my family & I continue to have today! That means a lot to us "Mineral King People." Keep up the great work!! By the way our family in Mineral King dates back to. the 1860's. My Great Great Grandfather Kelly had a Cabin there and drove Cattle up there for the Silver Miners.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Woah! Thanks for the family history Ken! Glad you enjoyed the videos! Where was your grandpas cabin located?

[@coreygillum12]

Did this trip with my 19 year old daughter 8/18. Epic journey on the most beautiful place on the planet. Words can not embrace the views and majesty of the High Sierra. It must be experienced. I read sign at Bear Paw that said " while you are here just ...be." sound advice . Thank you for sharing your trip, it made me smile .

[@HuckOutdoors]

How many days did you do the trail? Thanks for watching!

[@coreygillum12]

@@HuckOutdoors we entered Whitney Portal with 6 days under our feet. Wish I would have planned a 6 week saunter instead haha. We will return asap.

[@rebeccajosteelman563]

Awesome views! 60 miles, just wow ✌⛅😎🚶

[@HuckOutdoors]

It was one fun trip!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Your video was nicely put together. This is a bucket list hike for me. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you! Just subbed your channel. Cool content!

[@OutsideChronicles]

@@HuckOutdoors Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@mattfox6434]

When we were preparing for our 2019 HST trip, your video kept me enthused during the months leading up to it. Well done.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Awesome! Thank you! How did you like the trail?

[@XJarhead360]

Great video, awesome trip. 8 days is a grunt.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks! Heading out to do 8 days on the Rae Lakes loop.

[@shupingyin8082]

Love your music Jason

[@HuckOutdoors]

Yeah the music selection turned out good!

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Wow... That was a freaking awesome trip... Beautiful, I can only imagine how beautiful it is in person... Great group of trail mates... Loved it. Take care.

[@HuckOutdoors]

You would love it up there man!

[@Leadmeoutdoors]

Awesome adventure and a trip of a lifetime for you all. Glad I could come in on the last day and enjoy the last night with everybody!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Matt and thanks for the hot dogs!!!

[@steventhaw3765]

John Muir's "The Range of Light"!

[@shupingyin8082]

Awesome vid Jason well done

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@extremelydave]

I just had to let you know the time lapse shot between Trail Crest and the top of Whitney was freaking AWESOME!! Watching those puffy clouds just cruzin in the sky.... SO nice. Hopefully I will be able to get shots like that if I can dodge the virus crap and do the JMT in August.... This is the first video I have seen of the HST so thanks for that!!!!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! I wish I would have got more time lapse on this trip. Good luck on the JMT!

[@TheMbn1972]

HST looks incredible....thanks for the great video

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Martin!

[@Cz007_]

Fantastic footage and adventure!! I always look fwd to your next awesome outings!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!!!!

[@jackfisher840]

Beautiful video! Good information, great group of friends. Well edited, good music. Another winner!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Jack!

[@woodleaf09]

So excited to do this trail at the end of next month! Thanks for the video. Such stunning scenery and views. I can't wait.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Have fun!

[@davidjeffrey8204]

Great job, hard hike I can tell. Love you videos

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching David!

[@BrosephRussell]

Wow that was truly amazing backpacking trip such amazing views

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@gsflycaddis]

Super stunning view and scenery. I feel like I was hiking there too. Thanks for sharing this trip that I probably won't make it in my life.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

Freaking awesome! What a great adventure you all had. Glad I was able to welcome you all back along with Matt. It was such a great time building with you all. Onward to the next adventure.

[@HuckOutdoors]

You have no idea how excited I was to see you guys when we pulled into Outpost Camp. Then Hot Dogs on top of that! You two are rock stars! Thank you once again!

[@potatothorn]

what a great trip wow... i could go on all day so ill just put it at 40 minutes of AWESOME thanks for filming!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

LOL! Thanks for watching bud! You guys would love it back there!

[@potatothorn]

i sure would.. not sure we could handle the miles though we might need 2 weeks for it

[@BackcountryExposure]

This is really well done! You’ve just added another bucket list trail for me. Thanks for sharing, Jason!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching Devin!

[@juanmespinoza65]

Wow!!!! Great job with the hike and a awesome video!!!!❤️❤️❤️ Soon with God's help.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@HangingontheTrail]

Now THAT was a great video! You captured all the great stuff of that hike and that marmot was like a fat cat! ha.. Such an amazing place it was. Thank you, Huck and great job. Now I can relive it again and again.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Don! It was a blast sharing the trail with you!

[@raulitoalvarez]

Enough said ⛰💧🌲☀️🌳 Amazing 😉 Video thank ‘s for sharing Beautiful Mother Nature 👍🏽✌🏽

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamreeder4902]

Great Video

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks William

[@nixons]

great video!! You are right, the HST really is magical!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! Got to catch up on your vids!

[@MrPlooky]

great video

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@johntuttle4486]

Nice how they had to cut down those trees to have a view at that resort!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Never thought about that!

[@HeliJim400]

Wow, what a fantastic hike! Glad I watched it at home on the big screen, great video man! I feel inspired now, to head north to the sequoias, haven't been up that way in quite a spell. Congrats to all of you on your epic adventure!

[@HuckOutdoors]

You would love it up there Jim!

[@christophermeza7325]

Going to the sequoias next month I can’t wait! Sick video, always love watching your content

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for the support! Have fun on your trip!

[@HikingWithShawn]

Now that would be a great place to go hiking!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Shawn! Congrats on getting to 1000 subs!

[@brianpowell5082]

Phenomenal, epic journey, very well documented. I always enjoy your hiking videos because you make them like the viewer is on the adventure with you. I cannot imagine a better way to ever spend with friends than hiking! I was also in the Sierras on the 4th and 5th doing Sherman Peak, Trail of 100 Giants, etc, so I was in the Kern Plateau area. The smoke and haze was thick there as well, all the way down into the Central Valley by Porterville where my friend and I stayed the night.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words Brian! Truly Appreciated! Sucks about the smoke on your trip!

[@brianpowell5082]

Of course Jason! The smoke was annoying, but definitely did not put a damper on summitting my first Sierra peak! My favorite views were of the Red Firs and Western White Pines in the Sherman Pass area!

[@trailwarrior9224]

Awesome vid Jason 👏🏼💕

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@NATIONALJAYOGRAPHIC]

I found you through suggested videos. First your videos are fun to watch. You got some great shots and have some great editing ideas for me to learn. I just made a KZbin channel so I’m definitely doing my research. Thanks for all your help. - Keep it up! Just subbed!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Right on Jay. Just subbed back!

[@waterfallmadman]

Awesome adventure. I’m hoping to get on this trail next year.

[@HuckOutdoors]

That would be awesome. Good luck on your trip!

[@easleyrider]

Probably the best video you have made to date. I’ll probably be watching this one a few times all the way through. That has to be some of the best scenery on earth. Glad you guys all had a great and safe time. Also, there needs to be a gif of Don and his tribal ceremony session.

[@HuckOutdoors]

That gif can be made!

[@brenthelton5674]

Nice Jason great stuff!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Brent!

[@mjwmjw470]

Jason my hats off to all of you. What an amazing accomplishment. Shortly after meeting you and Robert on baldy summit camp last month, Robert told me of his plans to hike HST and I've been waiting for you all to post your videos. Fabulous job editing and seeing you tear up at the kaweah gap hit me. Being a 220 man I know how much harder it is for guys our size. So happy you toughed out that first day and didn't turn around. You have given me inspiration to attempt this life changing hike myself. Its now on my bucket list. Celebrating my 40th bday in couple weeks by skydiving...bucket list....but I hope to attempt the hike within a year or 2 max. Thx for all you do....Mark

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind works Mark! Happy early 40th! You would love this one!

[@ct5863]

Thank you!!! I’m excited me and my friend are doing this trail two weeks from now and I’m definitely looking for this backpacking trip

[@HuckOutdoors]

Good luck and Thanks for watching

[@ct5863]

Huck Outdoors do you have any advice?

[@jimshrader7848]

Thanks so much for a great video. I’m doing the Rae Lakes loop this August, but I think the HST will be my 2020 hike due to your awesome video. Spectacular!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Glad you liked it!

[@markbreckenridge2432]

That was a beautiful trip I've done it a couple of times Kings canyon you have to be there

[@HuckOutdoors]

Yes it was!

[@therealbennybraden]

You started you hike a few days after I had finished my JMT Thru-hike in Yosemite. Great video man!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Wow! We got lucky and had some great weather on our trip!

[@Love2Wander]

Jason you did a great job on the video

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@TroutWest]

Well done sir.. Only thing missing from this one was the smell of the pines. You covered it all so well. Thanks for taking us along for the ride

[@HuckOutdoors]

LOL Smell-a-vision! Thanks for watching buddy! Some epic fishing in some of the spots.

[@richardjennings7727]

Awesome video. I always wondered what that looked like. But one other thing was missing... Mount Whitney! So close, and you didn’t go there?

[@CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Awesome video Jason! What a beautiful, beautiful trip. You kicked ass! Sounds to me like you were suffering from altitude sickness. I know that feeling. Glad it didn't last too long. Congratulations on you're longest backpacking trip and what an epic one it was. :)

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Catherine! I really want to check out Washington now after seeing pics from your guys trips! On this trip I actually was really congested and started getting sick the week before. Coughed up flem the majority of the trip.

[@20robertang]

Great job on the editing, I know how difficult it is to get a great result. It was a blast, can’t wait for the next epic hike, buddy!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you Robert! We had the times of our life out there!

[@inourelementADVNTRS]

Great work, man! Felt like I was right there hiking along with y'all...minus a pack! btw third time Ive watched this. I cant get enough!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks bud! That was such a fun trip!

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

I need to visit that place! Your editing is superb sir, cheers!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks man! I really need to get up to your area and visit too!

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

@@HuckOutdoors If you do let me know and we'll get out!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Sounds good!

[@JohnCantHike55Amorosano]

If I'm not mistaken this was your 1st real big thru-hike, so CONGRATS buddy!! Frickin Awesome!!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thank you sir! Was a blast! Now I need to find enough time off to do the JMT!

[@JohnCantHike55Amorosano]

Next summer brotha!!! ;)

[@ScottyBrunton]

I hiked the exact same trip.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Awesome!

[@jamesreck8476]

Pretty epic adventure, glad the altitude sickness didnt send you back down premature.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Wasn't altitude sickness. Week prior was getting congested. Full of flem. The smoke from the fire didn't help much either. Epic adventure for sure! Even caught a few goldens along the way! :)

[@jakeeretzlaff1681]

That hike looks amazing!! I’m actually planning on doing it soon and just want to ask you for any tips or any little things that I should either bring or do on this hike. Thanks man for the incredible video

[@HuckOutdoors]

As you get closer to planning let me know any questions you have. I think the way we did it over the 8 days 7 nights was perfect as we got to see the sights and never felt rushed.

[@jakeeretzlaff1681]

Huck Outdoors thanks for the tip I’ll let u know if anything comes up. Thank you!

[@BackpackingWithWoodglue]

Man oh man, the HST, someday I will hike this bad boy! Thank you so much for this video. Inspiring to say the least! 👏 ~woodglue

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks woodglue! It's one heck of a trail!

[@jordanlujan751]

Big Arroyo was my favorite spot too. Awesome video man! Can't wait to go back in a couple years.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks Jordan! Glad you enjoyed it! What part of the trip did you guys have to cross the water on the big rocks?

[@jordanlujan751]

@@HuckOutdoors was there a part on my video with us crossing on big rocks? With the massive snow year all of the crossings were so much bigger than this year. The stretch from the Kern Hot Springs to Wallace Creek was the worse.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Looked back at your vid and was right before Big Arroyo.

[@jordanlujan751]

@@HuckOutdoors oh yes. We crossed right where the trail was or at least close to it. It was a sketchy cross and we should have went to a deeper slower spot. One of actually feel in right there and we had to pull him out before he got swept away.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Dang that's crazy!

[@paulespinoza7172]

Great video Jason some outstanding vistas and as always a great group of friends. And I had a great time being a chauffeur. NOW whats with the hat? At 23:24 inquiring minds want to know..

[@HuckOutdoors]

That would be my AIOUQES Hat, i Mean my Sequoia Hat i picked up at the park. Thanks for picking us up! Truly Appreciate it!

[@Eli-zy3ic]

Great video, not too short or long. But wait, did you summit Whitney?

[@HuckOutdoors]

I skipped out on Whitney. Whitney holds a special place for me as last year my motivation was for my friend Alex who passed away. I got a sense of closure when I was up there.

[@garyday5299]

Excellent video, thanks! Looks like you have a camera set-up on your backpack strap? What is it? Camera and gimbal, etc?

[@HuckOutdoors]

That is correct. At the time I was using 2 gopros, with one attached to the Karma Grip. I now use a Sony A6400 and a GoPro 7.

[@goofsaddggkle7351]

Very cool! Do they require a bear keg or anything on that trail? Are permits first come first served?

[@HuckOutdoors]

Permits are required and they do prefer you have a bear canister.

[@rmoran113]

Nice job...plan to do hst to Whitney then JMT nobo in September...plan to summit Whitney on the 4th day. How tough were the first 50 miles to the JMT? I did JMT about 5 years back such an amazing place! Hopefully it’s not a high fire year!

[@HuckOutdoors]

That's a lot of miles to get to Whitney on the 4th day. when you hit that Kern Valley and have to climb again it can be tough. Kern Valley gets really hot.

[@rmoran113]

Huck Outdoors yea only issue is resupply at onion valley....need to make the miles if you don’t want to carry more than 6 days food...hopefully temps in September will be lil cooler..

[@MaryannHazel]

Such an epic journey! I did that hike late last summer, so we got to experience the "blowout" - LOL! You captured your journey beautifully! I'm curious - are you using the Karma Grip with your GoPro? What model GoPro? I left my Karma Grip at home because I was worried about keeping it powered along with the plethora of other electronics I brought along (my pack weighed in at a whopping 47 pounds...ugh!). LOL! On another note -how far past Junction Meadows is Tyndall Lake Junction? I didn't see it on the map. That would have been a great place to start, so we wouldn't have to grind up to Wallace Creek in the full (and freakin hot) sun. Be glad you didn't push to get there that night! I totally agree with you - there is something magical about that trail. I'm planning to go again next year. Thanks so much for sharing your experience - we have many of the same shots in our videos.

[@HuckOutdoors]

I was using the Karma Grip with a GP5, but now use a 7 which I dont need a karma grip for anymore. Tyndall Junction was about a mile past Junction Meadow.

[@MaryannHazel]

Huck Outdoors -thanks. I found it in the map after I looked a little closer. The one thing I miss about not using the Karma Grip (I have the 7 too) is uneven horizons. But then again, I’m a little tilted. 😂 but it can be a bugger to fix in post.

[@MaryannHazel]

Huck Outdoors BTW, are you thinking about doing that hike again?

[@HuckOutdoors]

@@MaryannHazel I would love to. I want to explore a few more spots back there.

[@MaryannHazel]

@@HuckOutdoors Ditto - the headwaters of the Kern will be one of the places I head. That section was so amazing (which is why I was asking about Tyndall). The other is just after Kaweah Gap. That heart-shaped lake and huge waterfall were pretty spectacular. Actually, there were a lot of waterfalls there. And I want to revisit that huge waterfall just past the bridge over the Kern River. Took my breath away (or I was just totally gassed...LOL!).

[@nathanielavoures1596]

There are actually larger plant life than the Sequaia but the Sequaia is big!

[@HuckOutdoors]

General Sherman is the largest by volume.

[@eitansalama2921]

Going to the HST in 13 days :)

[@HuckOutdoors]

Enjoy and have fun!

[@GregBarfuss]

Do you need any type of parking permits or anything to hike the trails.

[@HuckOutdoors]

I dont believe so on the Whitney side. But on the sequoia side you will need to pay for parking to get in.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

What's the temperature at night?

[@HuckOutdoors]

It varied from low 30s to low 40s

[@Elperroviejo1]

what month of the year you did it.? thank you.

[@HuckOutdoors]

August

[@jbvibrations]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful. Quarantine porn

[@HuckOutdoors]

Thanks or watching!

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

batgwanlbi! (by all the gods who are no longer believed in) I hope that I can do this before I'm too old.

[@HuckOutdoors]

It's worth the trek!

[@JStompinado]

I dont know if you take any black people on your hikes....but id really like to go??

[@HuckOutdoors]

Right on! All our welcome to come out. You should come out to the next subscriber meetup I do!

[@jamesbynion9534]

Thank you for another amazing trip. I do wish you would post the music. Great songs. I was able to Shazam one of them.

[@HuckOutdoors]

Sorry I don't remember them