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{{short description|Off-trail route in California's High Sierra}}
{{Distinguish|High Sierra Trail}}
{{Distinguish|High Sierra Trail}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
{{Infobox hiking trail
|Name=Sierra High Route
|name=Sierra High Route
|Photo=MinaretLake.jpg
|photo=MinaretLake.jpg
|Caption=High Route hikers travel around [[Minaret Lake]]<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|166}}
|caption=High Route hikers travel around [[Minaret Lake]]<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|166}}
|Location=Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA
|location=Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA
|Designation=
|designation=
|Length={{convert|195|mi|km}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}<br>(different source: 220 miles)<ref name=Howe/>
|length={{convert|195|mi|km}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}<br>(different source: 220 miles)<ref name=Howe/>
|Start/End Points=[[Yosemite NP]] {{Coord|38.146859|-119.377522|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Kings Canyon}}<br>[[Kings Canyon NP]] {{Coord|36.795574|-118.584366|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Sierra Crest trailhead}}
|trailheads=[[Yosemite NP]] {{Coord|38.146859|-119.377522|region:US-CA_type:landmark|format=dms|name=Kings Canyon}}<br>[[Kings Canyon NP]] {{Coord|36.795574|-118.584366|region:US-CA_type:landmark|format=dms|name=Sierra Crest trailhead}}
|Use=
|use=
|ElevChange=
|elev_change=
|highest= Near [[Feather Peak]], {{convert|12360|ft|m|0|abbr=on|adj=pre|+}}<ref>Col directly to the southeast</ref><ref name=caltopo>{{cite web | url=https://caltopo.com/m/K9FL | title=Sierra High Route - CalTopo }}</ref>
|HighPoint=
|lowest= Cedar Grove, {{convert|5020|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=caltopo/>
|LowPoint=
|Difficulty=
|difficulty=
|Season=
|season=
|Months=
|months=
|Sights=
|sights=
|Hazards=
|hazards=
}}
{{GeoGroupTemplate}}
{{Location map+|USA California |width=250|caption=Sierra High Route points |float=right|places=
{{Location map~|USA California |lon_dir=W|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=38|lat_min= 8|lat_sec=49|lon_deg=119|lon_min=22|lon_sec=39|position=right |label=[[Twin Lakes]] }}
{{Location map~|USA California |lon_dir=W|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=37.875565 |lon_deg=119.353194 |position=left |label=[[Tuolumne Meadows]] }}
{{Location map~|USA California |lon_dir=W|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=37.567236 |lon_deg=118.985538 |position=right |label=Mammoth.Crest }}
{{Location map~|USA California |lon_dir=W|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=37.097908 |lon_deg=118.559132 |position=right |label=Dusy.Basin }}
{{Location map~|USA California |lon_dir=W|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=36|lat_min=47|lat_sec=44|lon_deg=118|lon_min=35|lon_sec= 4|position=bottom|label=Cedar Grove }}
}}
}}
The '''Sierra High Route''' (also called the '''Roper Route''' and the '''High Route''') is a cross-country hiking route, {{convert|195|mi|km}} long, through the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]]. It was scouted by [[Steve Roper]] and described by him in his book ''Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country''.<ref name=Roper>{{Cite book |last=Roper |first=Steve |year=1997 |orig-year=1982 |title=Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uKvYWJ2IBMEC&pg=PA12 |format=[[Google Books]] |edition=Second |location=Seattle |publisher=The Mountaineers |page=12,14,166,169,170,175|isbn=9780898865066 }}</ref>


The '''Sierra High Route''' ('''Roper Route''') is a [[backcountry]] hiking route<ref>In [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]] [[jargon]], a '''[[wikt:route|route]]''' is "''a specific way on any given terrain'"<sup>{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Adventures Network |url=http://www.myoan.net/backpacking/jargon.html#R <!--|accessdate=2010-08-26-->}}</sup> or "an unmarked passage through the wilderness".{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}</ref> through the central [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] that is mostly parallel to the [[John Muir Trail]] at higher elevations near the [[Sierra Crest]] (above the [[tree line]]). About {{convert|93|mi|km}} of the route follows hiking trails, and the majority of the route is on "trailless but easy country" (e.g., meadows).<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|14}} However, the off-trail sections include granite slabs, difficult high elevation loose-[[scree|talus]], and occasional [[Yosemite Decimal System|class-3]] rock faces that require careful [[Mountaineering#Falls from rocks|footholds and handholds]]. The route requires the use of route descriptions, [[topographical map]]s, and one or more instruments (e.g., [[compass]], [[Global Positioning System|GPS receiver]]) to navigate: "''High Route adventurers will not be put off by the lack of an actual trail, since much of the singular joy of cross-country travel lies in wandering through the timberline country as the pioneers did''" (Roper).<ref name=Roper>{{Cite book |last=Roper |first=Steve |year=1997 |origyear=1982 |title=Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uKvYWJ2IBMEC&pg=PA12 |format=[[Google Books]] |edition=Second |location=Seattle |publisher=The Mountaineers |page=12,14,166,169,170,175}}</ref> {{Rp|12}}
Much of the Sierra High Route runs parallel to the [[John Muir Trail]], staying east of that trail and keeping above the [[Tree line|timberline]] to higher elevations — between {{convert|9000|and|11500|ft|m}}. About a third of the route follows maintained hiking trails (including {{convert|28|mi|km}} of the John Muir Trail); the rest of the route traverses off-trail meadowlands, granite slabs, and, at high elevations, difficult loose-[[scree|talus]] terrain. Hiking the route does not require advanced [[mountaineering]] skills, but the hiker occasionally encounters [[Yosemite Decimal System|class-3]] rock faces in which footholds and handholds must be carefully chosen and tested. The route requires the use of route descriptions, [[topographical map]]s, and one or more instruments (e.g., [[compass]], [[Global Positioning System|GPS receiver]]) to navigate. Writes Roper in ''Sierra High Route'', "High Route adventurers will not be put off by the lack of an actual trail, since much of the singular joy of cross-country travel lies in wandering through the timberline country as the pioneers did--wondering what the next turn will reveal."<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|12}}


Roper divides the route into five segments:
South to north, the route is through [[Kings Canyon National Park]], the [[Inyo National Forest]], and [[Yosemite National Park]]; and five Roper-named sections:<ref name=Roper/> 1) ''[[Cirque]] Country'' (Cedar Grove to Dusy Basin), 2) ''Whitebark Country'' (Dusy Basin to Lake Italy), 3) ''Lake Country'' (Lake Italy to [[Devils Postpile National Monument|Devils Postpile]]), 4) ''Headwaters Country'' (Devil's Postpile to [[Tuolumne Meadows]]), and 5) ''Canyon Country'' (Tuolumne Meadows to Twin Lakes). Beginning August 26, 2006, with 11 days of food, ''[[Backpacker (magazine)|Backpacker]]'' magazine editor [[Steve Howe]] completed the Sierra High Route and podcasted<ref name=Howe>{{Cite web |last=Howe |first=Steve |date=August 31, 2006 |title=Sierra High Route, Day 6: Suddenly, solitude disappears |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927145125/http://rodale.typepad.com/backpacker_podcasts/2006/08/index.html |work=Backpacker Podcasts |accessdate=2010-08-25}}</ref> during the trip. In July 2007 without resupply, Adrian Stingaciu completed the route and summited 5 peaks in 11 days, 13 hours (195 miles in twelve, 12-14 hour days to average ~1¼ traveling mph).[http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=8777&nid=63183&print=1]
* ''[[Cirque]] Country:'' Cedar Grove to Dusy Basin, traversing the Monarch Divide, Lake ([[Cartridge Creek]]) Basin, Upper Basin, Palisades Basin, Barrett Lakes Basin, and Dusy Basin.
* ''Whitebark Country:'' Dusy Basin to Lake Italy, through LeConte Canyon, Muir Pass, [[Evolution Basin]], the Glacier Divide, Humphrey's Basin, and Bear Lakes Basin.
* ''Lake Country:'' Lake Italy to [[Devils Postpile National Monument|Devils Postpile]] by way of Bear Lakes Basin, Mono Lakes Basin, the Recesses, the Silver Divide, and the Mammoth Crest.
* ''Headwaters Country:'' Devil's Postpile to [[Tuolumne Meadows]], crossing the [[Ritter Range]] and the [[Cathedral Range]]. Roper calls this "Headwaters Country" because the route crosses headwaters of the [[San Joaquin River]].
* ''Canyon Country:'' Tuolumne Meadows to [[Twin Lakes (Bridgeport, California)|Twin Lakes]] through [[Yosemite National Park|Yosemite's]] north country.


From south to north (the direction Roper recommends hiking it), the Sierra High Route passes through [[Kings Canyon National Park]], the [[Inyo National Forest]], and [[Yosemite National Park]].
{{Expand list|date=August 2010}}
{|class="wikitable"
|+valign=top style="background:silver" |Sierra High Route, north-to-south
! | <small>mile
! sortable | <small>point
! | <small>elevation, coordinates, & passage width<!--br>beige = local S-to-N sections-->
! |
|-
| 195.0<!--{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}-->
| ''[[Twin Lakes#Lakes|Twin Lakes]]'' Road<!--differs from Twin Lakes SE of Mammoth Mtn-->
| align=center |<small>{{Specify|date=August 2010}} {{Coord|38|08|49|N|119|22|39|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Twin Lakes Road}}
| [[Yosemite National Park]]
|-
| 193.6<ref>Based on [[great-circle distance|great circle arc]] distance from previous point.</ref>
| [[Sierra Crest]]
| <small>{{Convert|10700|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|38.088702|N|119.371476|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}, ~20 m<!--elev & coords from Google Maps 38.088702,-119.371476-->
| <small>{{Citation needed|reason = Does the southward route go from Horse Creek to Spiller Creek or to Twin Peaks?|date=August 2010}} crosses [[Sierra Crest]]East of [[Matterhorn Peak]]
|-
|
| ''[[List of Yosemite destinations|Gaylor Lakes]]''<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|177}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| <small>[[Tuolumne Meadows]] Lodge<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|177}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| <small>Lyell Fork ([[Tuolumne River]])<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|177}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| [[John Muir Trail]]<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|176}}-->
|
| 3/4 mile section
|-
|
| [[Tuolumne Pass]]
| <small>{{Convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|176}}-->
|
|-
|
| <small>[[Vogelsang]] High Sierra Camp<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|176}}-->
|
| (commercial cabins)
|-
|
| ''[[Merced River#Recreation|Vogelsang Lake]]''<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|176}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| [[Vogelsang Pass]]<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|176}}
|
|
|-
|
| border
| [near [[Foerster Peak]]]<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|14}}
| Yosemite NP & [[Inyo National Forest|Inyo NF]]s
|-
|
| [[Sierra Crest]]
| align=center |{{Coord|37.735867|N|119.195094|W|region:US-CA_type:mountain}}<!--37.735867,-119.195094-->
| S of [[Waugh]] Lake
|-
|
| [[Thousand Island Lake]]
| &nbsp;<small>{{Convert|9833|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|37|43|15|N|119|10|56|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}
| (also on [[Pacific Crest Trail]])<!--[[Ansel Adams Wilderness]]-->
|-
|
| <small>[[San Joaquin River]], Middle F
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.711088|N|119.20269|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}<!--Google Maps: 37.711088,-119.20269-->
| source (headwaters flow NE)
|-
|
| [[Glacier Lake Pass]]
| <small>{{Convert|11158|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|169}}-->{{Coord|37.701275|N|119.206252|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}<!--Google Maps: 37.701275,-119.206252-->
| <small>{{Citation needed|reason = These coordinates coordinates are at a point inconsistent (too far east) of a northbound path from northern Twin Island Lake September 2010|date=September 2010}}NNE side of ''[[Lake Catherine]]''
|-
|
| <small>[[San Joaquin River]], North F<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}-->
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.69153|N|119.232774|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}<!--Google Maps: 37.69153,-119.232774-->
| <small>ford, S end of "northern [[Twin Island Lakes|Twin Island Lake]]"<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}
|-
|
| pine grove
| &nbsp;<small>{{Convert|9900|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}-->
|
|-
|
| waterfall brink<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}
| <small>{{Convert|10650|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}
|
|-
|
| [[Iceberg Lake]]<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|166}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| [[Cecile Lake]]<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|166}}-->
|
|
|-
|
| Blue Lake Pass<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}-->
| <small>{{Convert|11237|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{Coord|37|42|5|N|119|12|26|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martz |first=Phil |title=High Sierra Passes |url=http://sierrabackpacker.com/sierrapasses-new.htm |publisher=SierraBackpacker.com |accessdate=2010-09-02 |quote=37.68505 119.29069}}</ref>
| Yosemite NP, E border
|-
|
| [[Blue Lake]]<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}-->
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.679948|N|119.282556|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}<!--Google Maps: 37.679948,-119.282556-->
|
|-
|
| [[Bench Canyon]]
| <small>{{Convert|10100|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|170}}-->{{Coord|37.667924|N|119.241486|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}<!--Google Maps: 37.667924,-119.241486-->
|
|-
|
| Reds Meadow<!--near Mammoth Lakes? Google: 37.61967,-119.075747-->
|
| [http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/650036/Sierra-High-Route-How-many-days]
|-
|
| [[Minaret Lake]]<ref name=Roper/>{{Rp|166}}
| &nbsp;<small>{{Convert|9800|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{Coord|37|39|35|N|119|09|29|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}
| {{Clarify|correct numbers needed, elevation & coordinates are for lake|date=August 2010}}[[Ritter Range]]
|-
|
| <small>exit point<ref name=GORP/>{{Rp|6}} to [[Mammoth Lakes, California|community]]
| <!--Minaret Summit Road (CA 203): 37.611274,-119.075789-->
| <small>near [[Devil's Postpile National Monument|Devil's Postpile NM]] and [[Rainbow Fall]]
|-
|
| [[Mammoth Crest]]
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.567236|N|118.985538|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Mammoth Crest}}<!--37.567236,-118.985538-->{{Citation needed|reason = coordinates of summit near pass|date=August 2010}}
| crosses [[Sierra Crest]]
|-
|
| ''[[Duck Lake]]''<ref name=GORP>{{Cite web |last=Roper |first=Steve |title=Sierra High Route: A Journey at Timberline |url=http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-inyo-national-forest-yosemite-bishop-sierra-nevada-mountains-sidwcmdev_054016.html |publisher=GORP |accessdate=2010-08-26}}<br>
'''part 5'''. [http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-yosemite-inyo-national-forest-sierra-nevada-mountains-california-sidwcmdev_054025.html Kings Canyon to the Second Recess]
<br>'''part 6'''. [http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-park-fresno-inyo-national-forest-yosemite-sidwcmdev_054021.html Silver Divide to Rainbow Fall]
</ref>{{Rp|6}}
|
|
|-
|
| ''[[Sharktooth Peak|Silver Divide]]''<ref name=GoogleMaps>{{cite web |title=Google Maps |url=http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl}} (see [[Sierra Crest#References|External images box]] for map links)</ref>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.474211|N|119.020257|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Silver Divide}}<!--37.474211,-119.020257-->
|
|-
|
|
|
| ''[[Mount Morrison (California)|Mono Recesses]]''
|-
|
|
|
| [[Mono Lakes]] Basin
|-
|
| [[Lake Italy]]<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.355524|N|118.80156|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}<!--37.355524,-118.80156-->
| ''[[John Muir Wilderness|Bear Lakes Basin]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cope |first=Greg |title=Seven Gables Basin - High Sierra |url=http://www.naturefocused.com/archives/vee/vee.html |publisher=NatureFocused.com |accessdate=2010-08-26}}</ref>
|-
|
| ''[[Edgar Alwin Payne|Humphrey's Basin]]''<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.265378|N|118.706846|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Humphrey's Basin}}<!--37.265378,-118.706846-->
| [[Sierra National Forest]]
|-
|
| <small>[http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~rlilly/High_Sierras/Evolution_R/Snow_Tongue_Pass.html Snow-Tongue Pass]<ref name=GORP/>{{Rp|5}}
| <small>{{Convert|12200|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|37.222537|N|118.746243|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Snow-Tongue Pass}}<!--37.222537,-118.746243-->
| ''[[s|Glacier Divide]]''<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
|-
|
| ''[[Mount Goddard|Evolution Basin]]''<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.135619|N|118.69689|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Evolution Basin}}<!--37.135619,-118.69689 W of SC-->
|
|-
|
| [[Muir Pass]]<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
| <small>{{Convert|11955|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|37|06|42|N|118|40|14|W|region:US-CA_type:pass}}
| <small>{{convert|28|mi|km}} [[John Muir Trail]] section
|-
|
| ''[[Joseph LeConte|LeConte Canyon]]<ref name=GoogleMaps/>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.052026|N|118.581104|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=LeConte Canyon}}<!--37.052026,-118.581104-->
|
|-
|
| ''[[List of rivers in California#Tulare Lake|Dusy Basin]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canister Requirement Areas - Dusy & Palisades Basins |url=http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/food_storage_restrictions_DusyBasin_20070418.pdf |format=pdf map |work=Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks |publisher=NPS.gov |accessdate=2020-08-26}}</ref>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.097908|N|118.559132|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Dusy Basin}}<!--37.097908,-118.559132-->
| <small>1st northbound "feasible exit point"<ref name=GORP/>{{Rp|5}}
|-
|
| [[Knapsack Pass]]<ref name=chromoly>{{Cite web |title=Section 1: Cirque Country |url=http://outside.chromoly.net/highRoute/ |work=Roper's High Sierra Route |publisher=Outside.Chromoly.net |accessdate=2010-09-02}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|
| [[Barrett Lakes]]<!--differs from Barrett Lake near Mammoth Mtn: 37.610152,-119.019699-->
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.085584|N|118.533812|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Barrett Lakes}}<!--37.085584,-118.533812-->
|
|-
|
| [[Cirque Pass]]<!--JMT--><ref name=Howe/><ref name=chromoly/>
|
|
|-
|
| [[Lower Palisade Lake]]<!--JMT--><ref name=Howe/>
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|37.052574|N|118.47506|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Lower Palisade Lake}}<!--37.052574,-118.47506-->
| [[Palisades (California Sierra)|Palisades]] Basin
|-
|
| ''[[John Muir Trail|Mather Pass]]''<!--JMT--><ref name=Howe/>
|<small>{{Convert|12067|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|37|1|55|N|118|27|36|W|region:US-CA_type:pass|name=Mather Pass}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mather Pass, CA |url=http://www.lat-long.com/Latitude-Longitude-228225-California-Mather_Pass.html |publisher=Lat-Long.com |accessdate=2010-08-25}}</ref>
|
|-
|
| [http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~rlilly/High_Sierras/Taboose_R/Frzn_Lake_Pass.html Frozen Lake Pass]<ref name=Howe/>
|<small>{{Convert|12320|ft|m|abbr=on}} {{Coord|37.006151|N|118.482871|W|region:US-CA_type:pass|name=Frozen Lake Pass}}<!--37.006151,-118.482871-->
|
|-
|
|
|
| [[Upper Basin]]
|-
|
|
|
| [[Lake Basin]] ([[List of rivers in California#Tulare Lake|Cartridge Cr]])
|-
|
| Marion Lake<!--36.974478,-118.517375 near Cartridge Cr & Red Point-->
Red Pass
<br><small>White Pass (''[[Monarch Wilderness|Monarch Divide]]''<!--
| align=center |<small>{{Coord|36.866438|N|118.736801|W|region:US_type:landmark|name=Monarch Divide}}<!--Monarch Divide on Google Maps:36.866438,-118.736801-->
<br>Gray Pass
|
| <ref name=Secor>{{cite book |last=Secor |first=R. J |year=2009 |edition=3rd |origyear=1992 |title=The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=u0sc6cgA1IUC&pg=PA193 |publisher=Mountaineers Books |pages=193 |isbn=0-89886-625-1 |accessdate=2010-08-26}}</ref>
|-
|
| [[Horseshoe]] Lakes<ref name=chromoly/><!--a Horseshoe Lake is SE of Mammoth Mtn @37.610152,-119.019699, & north of Sierras in Lassen NF: 40.472938,-121.333523-->
|
|
|-
| 0
| <small>''[[Cedar Grove]]'' ([[California State Route 180|CA 180]])
| align=center |<small>{{Specify|date=August 2010}} {{Coord|36|47|44|N|118|35|4|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Cedar Grove}}
| [[Kings Canyon National Park|Kings Canyon NP]]
|-
|}


In 2006, ''[[Backpacker (magazine)|Backpacker]]'' magazine editor Steve Howe hiked the entire Sierra High Route in one month.<ref name=Howe>{{Cite web |last=Howe |first=Steve |date=August 31, 2006 |title=Sierra High Route, Day 6: Suddenly, solitude disappears |url=http://rodale.typepad.com/backpacker_podcasts/2006/08/index.html |work=Backpacker Podcasts |access-date=2010-08-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927145125/http://rodale.typepad.com/backpacker_podcasts/2006/08/index.html |archive-date = 2007-09-27}}</ref>
{{External media |width=34em |align=right

|image1='''Google Maps''':
== External links ==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Glacier+Divide&sll=37.265378,-118.706846&sspn=0.020595,0.052142&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Glacier+Divide,+Sierra,+Fresno,+California+93634&t=p&z=13 Glacier Divide,] [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Humphreys+Basin,+Sierra,+Fresno,+California+93634&sll=37.135619,-118.69689&sspn=0.04126,0.104284&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FTyfOAIduK7s-A&split=0&hq=&hnear=Humphreys+Basin,+Sierra,+Fresno,+California+93634&ll=37.265378,-118.706846&spn=0.020595,0.052142&t=p&z=15 Humphrey's Basin,] [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lake+Italy,+CA&sll=37.222537,-118.746243&sspn=0.082426,0.208569&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lake+Italy&t=p&z=15 Lake Italy,] [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mount+Bolton+Brown&sll=36.922262,-118.579798&sspn=0.020688,0.052142&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mt+Bolton+Brown,+Sierra,+Fresno,+California&ll=36.984935,-118.414207&spn=0.020671,0.052142&t=p&z=15 Mather Pass,] [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%22Silver+Divide%22&hnear=Silver+Divide,+Sierra,+Fresno,+California+93634&t=p&z=15 Silver Divide]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100507103222/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-inyo-national-forest-yosemite-bishop-sierra-nevada-mountains-sidwcmdev_054016.html The Sierra High Route: A Journey at Timberline], Steve Roper recounts his discovery of the Sierra High Route
|image2=
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100409042042/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-yosemite-inyo-national-forest-sierra-nevada-mountains-california-sidwcmdev_054025.html Sierra High Route: Kings Canyon to the Second Recess], Roper's account of this trail segment
}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100427074909/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-park-fresno-inyo-national-forest-yosemite-sidwcmdev_054021.html Sierra High Route: Silver Divide to Rainbow Fall], Roper's description of this trail segment


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Sierra Nevada}}
[[Category:Geographic coordinate lists]]
{{California hiking trails}}

[[Category:Hiking trails in California]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in California]]
[[Category:Sierra Nevada (United States)]]
[[Category:Long-distance trails in the United States]]
[[Category:Long-distance trails in the United States]]
[[Category:Sierra Nevada (U.S.)-related lists]]

[[fr:Sierra High Route]]

Latest revision as of 01:20, 6 December 2023

Not to be confused with High Sierra Trail.
Sierra High Route
High Route hikers travel around Minaret Lake[1]: 166 
Length195 miles (314 km)[citation needed]
(different source: 220 miles)[2]
LocationSierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA
TrailheadsYosemite NP 38°08′49″N 119°22′39″W / 38.146859°N 119.377522°W / 38.146859; -119.377522 (Kings Canyon)
Kings Canyon NP 36°47′44″N 118°35′04″W / 36.795574°N 118.584366°W / 36.795574; -118.584366 (Sierra Crest trailhead)
Highest pointNear Feather Peak, 12,360+ ft (3,767 m)[3][4]
Lowest pointCedar Grove, 5,020 ft (1,530 m)[4]

The Sierra High Route (also called the Roper Route and the High Route) is a cross-country hiking route, 195 miles (314 km) long, through the Sierra Nevada. It was scouted by Steve Roper and described by him in his book Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country.[1]

Much of the Sierra High Route runs parallel to the John Muir Trail, staying east of that trail and keeping above the timberline to higher elevations — between 9,000 and 11,500 feet (2,700 and 3,500 m). About a third of the route follows maintained hiking trails (including 28 miles (45 km) of the John Muir Trail); the rest of the route traverses off-trail meadowlands, granite slabs, and, at high elevations, difficult loose-talus terrain. Hiking the route does not require advanced mountaineering skills, but the hiker occasionally encounters class-3 rock faces in which footholds and handholds must be carefully chosen and tested. The route requires the use of route descriptions, topographical maps, and one or more instruments (e.g., compass, GPS receiver) to navigate. Writes Roper in Sierra High Route, "High Route adventurers will not be put off by the lack of an actual trail, since much of the singular joy of cross-country travel lies in wandering through the timberline country as the pioneers did--wondering what the next turn will reveal."[1]: 12 

Roper divides the route into five segments:

  • Cirque Country: Cedar Grove to Dusy Basin, traversing the Monarch Divide, Lake (Cartridge Creek) Basin, Upper Basin, Palisades Basin, Barrett Lakes Basin, and Dusy Basin.
  • Whitebark Country: Dusy Basin to Lake Italy, through LeConte Canyon, Muir Pass, Evolution Basin, the Glacier Divide, Humphrey's Basin, and Bear Lakes Basin.
  • Lake Country: Lake Italy to Devils Postpile by way of Bear Lakes Basin, Mono Lakes Basin, the Recesses, the Silver Divide, and the Mammoth Crest.
  • Headwaters Country: Devil's Postpile to Tuolumne Meadows, crossing the Ritter Range and the Cathedral Range. Roper calls this "Headwaters Country" because the route crosses headwaters of the San Joaquin River.
  • Canyon Country: Tuolumne Meadows to Twin Lakes through Yosemite's north country.

From south to north (the direction Roper recommends hiking it), the Sierra High Route passes through Kings Canyon National Park, the Inyo National Forest, and Yosemite National Park.

In 2006, Backpacker magazine editor Steve Howe hiked the entire Sierra High Route in one month.[2]

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Roper, Steve (1997) [1982]. Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country (Google Books) (Second ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. p. 12,14,166,169,170,175. ISBN 9780898865066.
  2. ^ a b Howe, Steve (August 31, 2006). "Sierra High Route, Day 6: Suddenly, solitude disappears". Backpacker Podcasts. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  3. ^ Col directly to the southeast
  4. ^ a b "Sierra High Route - CalTopo".
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