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High Sierra multi-camp backpacking trip ideas Posted on January 19, 2026 17:29:47.

High Sierra Multi-Camp Backpacking Trip Ideas
Updated 1/19/2025
All are acceptable, but listed in Bob's order of preference

1.) Nine Lake Basin from Mineral King

Spend the night before camping at Mineral King
8 days, 7 nights, 3 layovers. Lots of climbing. Sequoia NP.
Start at Mineral King 7,827'
Night 1 Monarch Lakes 10,389' 2.8 mi +2,411'
Night 2 Big Five Lakes 9,839' 6.9 mi +2,179' -2,956'
Nights 3-6 at heart-shaped lake in Nine Lake Basin 10,459' 7.0 mi +1,082' -1,148'
Day hike ideas (pick 3):
around Nine Lake Basin
Triple Divide Peak 12,634' south ridge class 3 5 mi round trip +2,175' (or over to Lion Lake)
Kaweah Queen 13,382' northwest ridge class 3 4.8 mi round trip +2,923'
Black Kaweah 13,765' via west ridge class 3 5 mi round trip +3,037'
Note: if Red Kaweah or Mount Kaweah are desired, stop at Old Big Arroyo Patriot Cabin instead of Nine Lakes Basin, or on the way.
Red Kaweah 13,720' west face class 3 from Old Big Arroyo Patriot Cabin 5.0 mi +3,970", a lot of climb
Mount Kaweah 13,802' south slopes class 1 from Old Big Arroyo Patriot Cabin is 9.0 mi +4,070', a lot of climb and distance
Night 7 bottom of Lost Canyon 9,573' 8.9 mi +1,048' -2,446'
Exit 7.8 mi +2,096' -3,790'
Total Pack 33.4 mi +/-5,672'
Spend the night after at a hotel in Visalia

2.) Nine Lake Basin from Cresent Meadow

8 days, 7 nights, 3 layovers. Moderate. Sequoia NP.
Spend the night before camping or in a lodge in the main section of Sequoia NP
Start at Crescent Meadow 6,754'
Night 1 Bearpaw Meadow 7,863' 9.6 mi +1,100'
Night 2 Hamilton Lakes 8,242' 3.0 mi +800'
Nights 3-6 at heart-shaped lake in Nine Lake Basin 10,459' 3.0 mi +2,411' -225'
See Nine Lake Basin from Mineral King above for day hike ideas.
if Red Kaweah or Mount Kaweah are desired, camp down at Old Big Arroyo Patriot Cabin instead of Nine Lakes Basin.
Night 7 Bearpaw Meadow 7,863' 6.0 mi +525' -3,211'
Exit 9.4 mi -1,100'
Total pack 31.2 mi +/-4,311'
Spend the night after in the park either camping with showers or in a lodge, or at a hotel in Fresno

3.) Upper Kern Basin Shuttle

8 days, 7 nights, 2 layovers. Longest and most climb. Shuttle cars 48 miles or get taxi. Golden Trout Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia NP.
Start at Cottonwood Creek trailhead 9,700'
Night 1 Cottonwood Lake 4 11,066' 5.0 mi +1,366'
Night 2 over New Army Pass to lake SW of The Major General 10,814' 6.2 mi +1,245' -1,497'
Nights 3,4 Crabtree Meadow 10,363' 9.2 mi +1,321' -1764'
Day hike to Crabtree Lakes 6.8 mi round trip +974'
a.) Nights 5,6 lake east of Tawny Point in Wright Lakes Basin 11,138' 6.6 mi +1,707' -935'; includes 2 mi +741' off trail
Day hike up Mount Tyndall 14,018' up southwest slopes class 2 5.4 mi round trip +2,880'
Night 7 over 11,884' Shepherd Pass to Mahogany Flat 9,188' 10.1 mi +1,348 -3,297
Exit to Shepherd Pass trailhead 5.4 mi +643' -4,085'
Total pack 42.5 mi +7,630' -11,578'
b.) Instead of climbing Mount Tyndall, hike to lake just north where Milestone Creek joins the Kern River and day hike 13,666' Midway Mountain class 2 east ridge
c.) Do both in a 10 day trip

4.) Lake Italy Shuttle

6 days, 5 nights, 2 layovers. Shorter but even more climb. John Muir Wilderness.
Start from the Lake Edison ferry 7,651'. Note that 2020 Creek Fire burned just north of there.
Night 1 Bear Creek along PCT at junction with Lake Italy trail 9,363' 8.0 mi +2,814' -1,127'
Nights 2-4 Lake Italy 11,204' 5.1 mi +2,048' -233'
Day hikes: class to high 13ers Mt. Gabb, Mt. Abbot and Mt. Dade via Gabbot Pass.
Night 5 over Seldon Pass to Salley Keyes Lakes 10.7 mi +1,792' -2,755'
Exit Florence Lake ferry 7,336' 8.1 mi +485' -3,114'
Total pack 23.8 mi +6,654' -7,229'
Shuttle 2 cars 12.4 miles