Vent: I keep seeing people mess up the High Sierra Trail mileage and it drives me nuts

Okay, so I just got back from the High Sierra Trail and I've been reading trip reports online. A LOT of people are saying it's a flat 72 miles from Crescent Meadow to the top of Whitney. That is just NOT true if you're actually backpacking the whole route. The official trail is 72 miles, but that's just to the summit trail junction. You have to add the 11 miles from there to the Whitney summit AND back down to Whitney Portal to finish. That's 94 miles minimum, not counting any side trips. I planned for 72 on my first try years ago and had to cut my food short, which was a huge mistake. It matters because if you're packing for 6 days thinking it's 72, you're going to be really hungry or have to rush. I learned this the hard way after my own bad trip and now I always check the NPS site for the real numbers. Has anyone else seen this kind of mileage mix-up on other big trails?

3 comments

3 Comments

tessa_clark741mo ago

Yeah, that's a classic planning error. Always add the portal exit miles to your food count.

anna_fox71mo ago

Wait, you have to walk MILES after the portal? That sounds like a nightmare.

tyler621d ago

People make it sound way worse than it really is...