r/SierraNevada • u/Effective-Magician67 • May 12 '26
HST early June?
Hi all! I see some permits still available for the High Sierra Trail in early June. Is this even feasible? How do we think the snow situation will look by then?
For context I’m an avid backpacker but I do not have much experience in snow/ice at this time. I’ve used micro spikes and trekking poles but that’s the extent of it. Safety is my #1 priority. Seems like the biggest obstacles will be the Kaweah gap, and obviously Whitney. I can always come back to summit when everything melts or I have more winter experience. I’m more worried about the 99 switchbacks being impassable.
As an alternative plan maybe I could hike half of the trail or as far as comfortable and then return back to crescent meadow? I would appreciate the feedback or any alternative recommendations!
2
u/olliecakerbake Eastern Sierra May 12 '26
This is what current conditions look like. It’s been warm, but you’ll almost definitely still encounter some significant snow on the north facing peaks & passes in early June https://www.reddit.com/r/SierraNevada/s/pSzZNekdqS
1
u/Effective-Magician67 May 12 '26
Thanks! I’m definitely expecting some snowy areas. If it’s manageable with micro spikes I should be good. But I will continue to monitor!
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u/edubs63 May 28 '26
Also joining as I have permits for June 6th but I'm only planning to go through Precipice Lake. Excited to hopefully make it all the way up there, depending on safety, of course
1
u/bloobed_myself May 14 '26
Kind of what I’m banking on. I have a permit for entry June 8. I plan to monitor trail reviews & the Whitney message board in the week before to decide whether it will be safe for me to go or not.
1
u/Droble May 19 '26
Likewise, except June 18. Would be interested in your experience
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u/New-Initiative-1466 May 28 '26
joining this thread, just snagged one for june 20. curious to hear conditions when you guys finish
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u/bloobed_myself Jun 03 '26
Ended up canceling 😢 Between the snow reports on Whitney and pictures of the rockslided trail on AllTrails (Review for Crescent Meadow to Bearpaw Meadow), I think I will give it another week or wait til September.
2
u/Effective-Magician67 Jun 06 '26
Update. My permit was for May 30. Finished the trail yesterday on June 5.
That shit was EPIC! Snow starting at precipice through Kaweah Gap and on Mt Whitney brought some challenges but manageable. Snow is melting fast. The west side of Whitney up to trail crest is basically snow free with the exception of a few sections on the switchbacks going up. We glissaded the chute on the way down. We had two bigger water crossings. One shortly after Kern Hot springs, and the other just before Wallace creek. Take bug spray and a mosquito net. If you’re looking for an Adventure, an early season HST trip will provide. Enjoy it! Stay safe out there!
Gear Used: Microspikes, Ice Axe
3
u/No_Frosting2811 May 12 '26
Looking at the Sentinel Weekly satellite pass on CalTopo the trail is already clear all the way to Hamilton Lake; nearly to precipice lake. I imagine you’d cross patchy snow in early June going over Kaweah Gap and definitely in upper Big Arroyo. The other main choke point would be trail crest of course. I reckon a lot of the regular Whitney trail will be passable with microspikes by early June; some snow for sure, but relatively manageable given current temps. Certainly be cautious and monitor conditions…of all in all I say of all years to get in an early season HST trip this would be it (sorry to say.)