Location
Central California. The western terminus of the 62-mile-long HST is at the Crescent Meadow parking area of the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. The eastern terminus is the summit of Mount Whitney.

Description
Although relatively short for a long-distance trail, mile-for-mile the HST is one of the most rugged and spectacular hiking trails anywhere. The entire trail is within Sequoia National Park. Beginning amongst the giant sequoia trees at Crescent Meadow at about 6650-foot elevation, the HST follows the edge of the mountains along the Kaweah Canyon to the Hamilton Lakes area before climbing the Great Western Divide to 10,700-foot Kaweah Gap. In many places through this first section, the trail was blasted out of the side of the mountains. From Kaweah Gap, the HST parallels Big Arroyo Canyon before descending into the Kern River Canyon at 6800 feet. After following the canyon floor northward for several miles past Kern Hot Spring, a 110-degree spring with a tub, the HST ascends along Wallace Creek to the junction with the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. From here the HST and JMT follow the same route for the final 12 miles to the summit of 14,495-foot Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the Sierra as well as in the 48 states. The HST is not marked but the tread is well-defined and signage is fairly good. The trail is open for stock animals for the entire distance but is rarely used for stock beyond the first 11.4 miles to Bearpaw Meadow Camp.

When to Go
August and September are ideal for thru-hiking the HST. Deep snow and ice are possible at any other time of year.

Reservations
Backcountry permits are required. If you would like to guarantee a date and trailhead you can make a reservation. There is no charge for the permits themselves but there is a $10 nonrefundable fee per permit for a reservation. Reservation requests are accepted for the current year no earlier than March 1 and no later than three weeks before the start of your trip. For information contact the wilderness office at 559-565-3708 or go to the NPS website.

Resupply
There are no resupply options along the HST, other than very minimal provisions at the Bearpaw Meadow Camp. Good supplies are available beyond the eastern terminus in Lone Pine, Calif.

Maps, Guides and Contacts

The best maps cover the entire John Muir/Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Areas, including all of the HST, and are available for $8 from the US Forest Service at (530) 647-5390. A good simple guide is available on the NPS website.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700
Wilderness information: (559) 565-3708
Weather conditions: (559) 565-3341