Moderate
California · United States
- Distance
- 15.2 km / 9.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 693 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 40 min
High Sierra Camp Loop
ExpertCalifornia · United States
- Distance
- 76.3 km (47.4 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 2,125 m (6,972 ft)
- Typical time
- 20 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 3,241 m (10,633 ft)
About High Sierra Camp Loop
High Sierra Camp Loop is a 76.3 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 1,679 m (5,509 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a committing route for experienced hikers only, with serious ascent and long stretches far from help.
The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days. Most people walk it in stages, using the waymarking and accommodation built up along the corridor.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 47.4 mi. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections.
In short, High Sierra Camp Loop suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert76.3 km2,125 m3,241 m
Numbered marks every 10 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +2,125 m
- Descent
- −2,124 m
- High
- 3,241 m (10,633 ft)
- Low
- 2,140 m (7,021 ft)
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Part of a long-distance path
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Patchy on the upper sections
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 56/100
- Adventure
- 94/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 13/100
- Family
- 7/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Real food, not just snacks
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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