The Southern Sierra High Route

• Southern Sierra High Route

• Begin in Upper Basin, south of Mather Pass. Here the SHR goes west over a pass into Lake Basin. Instead, continue south on the JMT.
• Once you cross Pinchot Pass you have a choice, you can simply continue on the JMT to Glenn Pass, or you can detour into Woods Lake basin, climb Mount Baxter, and cross into Baxter Lakes basin. From here follow the Baxter Pass trail to the JMT and follow a cross country route into Sixty Lakes Basin, from here there is a nice cross country route to Glenn Pass
• Follow the JMT to Vidette Meadow and on to where you can leave the JMT and head into Center Basin. From here find the old JMT and follow it over the east shoulder of Junction Peak. Drop down the drainage on the southeast side to join the Shepherd Pass trail near the Pothole.
• Take the Shepherd Pass trail up an over Shepherd Pass. Before getting to Tyndall Creek, take off left cross country and go over a ridge into the Wright Lakes basin. Continue to Wallace Creek and Tulainyo Lake and cross over Russel-Carrilon Pass. Descend to upper Boy Scout Lake
• Climb Mount Whitney via the Mountaineers route.
• Continue to Trail Crest, descent the trail to the first switchback, then take off south over the ridge and over Crabtree pass, heading for Sky Blue Lake.
• Descend through Rock Creek and join the Army Pass trail. Go over New Army Pass, and exit at the trailhead at Cottonwood Creek.

Also give careful consideration to time of year and snow conditions. Certain parts of the route could require an ice-axe and mountaineering skills in early season or during a big snow year. This especially true of the Mountaineers route on Whitney. This is not a big deal if there is not ice and snow, but lives have been claimed on this route in icy conditions.