High Sierra Trail Day 1

First - High Sierra Trail logistics (the boring but essential stuff)

Day 0 (Sunday): We drove from LA to Bakersfield. Amtrak station plenty of parking. Took flixbus to Goshen. Took Uber to hotel in Visalia. Picked up a foot long sandwich from subway for lunch and dinner the next day. Had dinner. Packed weigh 15lbs without food and water. Plus food 7 lbs not including my sandwich.

Day 1 (Monday): took 6am bus from hotel to sequoia np. Arrived at 8:30-9am. Picked up permit by 10am. Also observed on the board 4/10 walkup permits were taken, and 6 available still. Louis bought a last minute hoodie from the gift shop because I checked his clothing and it didn't look like he packed enough warm clothes. Took park busses to crescent meadow trailhead.

The hike:

Gradual incline to Buck Creek campground. Originally planned to camp at Bearpaw, but Buck Creek was too perfect to pass up — it had a bear locker, scenic rushing river, and breezy open campsites (plus, fewer mosquitoes thanks to the wind!). Took a shower in the river and admired the view. No one else was at this campsite. Total solitude.

Day 1: Crescent Meadow to Buck Creek – 12.5 mi | 2,500 ft gain.