Sierra High Route

Highlights

• Expert guides with years of experience leading hikers off-trail
• 195-mile trek featuring the John Muir Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail
• Gourmet backcountry cooking
• Mostly off-trail in the most remote regions of Sierra Nevada Mountains
• Breathtaking views rarely seen by others

Full Description

Chosen by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the Best New Trips of 2010, the Sierra High Route is absolutely jam-packed with expedition-style adventure.

The trek is 195 miles and the terrain is mostly off trail. This means that there will be a lot of route finding and long physical days, but also a lot of reward. The trip will require expedition style team work and you must be in excellent physical shape with extensive backpacking experience a pre-trip requirement. To get you in the right frame of mind, some examples of extensive backpacking experience include the Trans-Sierra Trail, Long Trail, John Muir Trail or longer sections of the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail.

Along with your expert guides, the SHR will have the typical seamless SYMG logistical support, including food drops, shuttles and accommodations. We will be using modern ultra-light techniques and gear to keep the packs as light as possible. You'll need to feel comfortable in off trail terrain (talus and boulder hopping), and have a certain sense of adventure and positive attitude that breeds success on a long journey of this type.

Thinking about the trip, words like breathtaking, grand, exciting and awe-inspiring come to mind. But be warned: this one is not for the faint of heart. The High Route spans 195 miles along the highest and most remote regions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and it is mostly off-trail. Backed by SYMG's seamless logistical planning, those up to the challenge will don ultralight backpacking gear and head off on what will surely be the adventure of a lifetime!

Grade: Strenuous: on- and off-trail backpacking on uneven terrain with steep grades. These trips are similar in character to those in the difficult category, but are longer in duration. This significantly compounds both the physical and mental challenges of the trip. Because these types of trips have a required mileage to complete each day, the level of commitment is high. These trips spend significant time at higher elevations. For the SHR specifically, participants should be comfortable rock scrambling with a backpack up to class 3. We travel between 6 and 11 miles daily and rarely drop below 9,000 feet.

Equipment: SYMG can supply all needed personal and group camping equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents) if requested on the registration form. There is no additional cost for this service.

Meals: All meals are provided while in the backcountry. We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.

Preparation: Hike, hike and hike some more. The Sierra High Route is a committing trip where you have minimum mileage each day. Endurance is the key to your enjoyment. Participants should have experience on long backpacks such as the John Muir Trail, Trans Sierra Trail or on other significant undertakings. You should be aerobically and cardiovascularly fit, and should train by working out, carrying weight (up to 40 lbs), and hiking stadium bleachers up & down. Examples of getting prepared include:  Hiking on and off-trail immediately prior to the trip; participating in longer backpacks along the JMT, TST or along other high country trails. Reading “The Guide to the Sierra High Route” by Steve Roper may also be helpful.

Group Size: 3-6 clients, 2 guides