The High Sierra Trail has fascinated me ever since I first learned how it was carved into the granite cliffs above Hamilton Lakes, and hiking a loop that included part of it became one of the highlights of my time in Sequoia National Park. My full write‑up of that 5‑day route is here: Backpack the High Sierra Trail Loop Now. Like me, many hikers want a taste of the High Sierra without committing to the full point‑to‑point trail — and, of course, the logistical challenge of getting back across the Sierra to your car.
This guide exists to make that process easier. It walks you through how to book High Sierra Trail permits on Recreation.gov, then offers two excellent loop alternatives — including the exact 5‑day route I hiked — for anyone who wants classic High Sierra scenery without the complexity of the full thru‑hike.
Why High Sierra Trail Permits Are Hard to Get
The High Sierra Trail is a bucket‑list, 72‑mile backcountry route beginning in Giant Forest. Ending at Mount Whitney, it’s seen as a shorter alternative to the John Muir Trail, and permits can be competitive.
The easiest time to hike in the Sierra is summer, when most of the snow has melted and the weather is hot and dry. As such, the closer you get to summer, the harder those permits are to secure. Here’s how to book permits for the High Sierra Trail.
How the Sequoia–Kings Wilderness Permit System Works
- Go to Recreation.gov
- Login/create an account.
- In the search bar type Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits
- Click Explore Available Permits.
Enter:
- Your desired start date (your first hiking day)
- Your group size
- Then scroll down to see which trailheads are still available.
In the example above, the High Sierra Trail is available on several dates, though this is unusual and less common in summer.
- If you click on the trailhead, you can verify the exact trailhead(s) your permit allows as the start point of your overnight hike.
- As shown in the example below, the High Sierra Trail allows entry from two trailheads depending on your preference.
- Close this window, then on the previous screen click Book Now.
- After clicking Book Now, select your exit point (the trail from which you will leave the wilderness) and the date.
- You’ll then be prompted to choose your campsite for each night of your hike from a dropdown menu.
A 5‑Day High Sierra Backpacking Loop (The Hamilton Basin Loop) With Easier Logistics
If 72 miles sounds too much — or more likely, the logistics of getting back to your car at the end of a point‑to‑point hike feel like too much of a headache — my route, Sequoia’s Best Backpacking Loop, may appeal to you. I don’t claim to be the first to hike this route, but it’s not documented online and remains nameless to my knowledge. The High Sierra (Camp) Loop already exists in Yosemite, so perhaps I should christen this one “The Hamilton Basin Loop.”
The route joins the High Sierra Trail, then heads from west to east to Bearpaw before looping clockwise and returning via the High Sierra Trail to Crescent Meadow (though it could be extended to the General Sherman Tree for a grand finale; we opted out, having visited General Sherman only days before our hike). It’s a fantastic way to sample the High Sierra Trail, and the logistics of a 4‑night loop — returning to your car — are far more straightforward than the complications of the full High Sierra Trail.
The route can also be extended to Big Five Lakes and Sawtooth Pass, though this would mean missing Black Rock Pass, a superb stretch of the route.
The Hamilton Basin Loop at a Glance
How to Book Permits for the Hamilton Basin Loop (Sequoia’s Best Backpacking Loop)
As before:
- Log into Recreation.gov.
- Type Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits into the search bar.
- Click Explore Permits.
- Choose the High Sierra Trail as your entry point.
- Choose the same exit point — High Sierra Trail.
- Use the dropdown menu to select campsites for each night of your trip.
If your date or entry point isn’t available, there is an excellent alternative backpacking loop: the Mineral King Loop. It’s 8 miles shorter and permits are less competitive, but it comes with three catches:
- You’ll spend less time on the High Sierra Trail.
- The drive to Mineral King is along a slow, single‑lane road.
- Once there, your car is at the mercy of marmots — a serious problem.
It’s such a known issue that the NPS even has a page dedicated to it: Marmots — Protecting Your Vehicle.
Mineral King Loop — The Best Backcountry Alternative
If the marmots don’t bother you, drive to Mineral King to complete the Mineral King Loop. You’ll need to:
- Book permits to begin at either Timber Gap Trail or Sawtooth Pass (depending on whether you want to hike clockwise or counterclockwise).
- Choose your exit point as whichever trailhead you did not begin at — for example, if you start at Timber Gap, you’ll exit at Sawtooth Pass.
There’s some overlap between this loop and my 5‑day loop, specifically the 22‑mile stretch from the junction with the Theodore Solomons Trail and Black Rock Pass Trail to Little Five Lakes, before you loop east (if hiking clockwise). You can see what this stretch of trail is like by reading Days 4, 2, and 3 of my trip report and the related YouTube clip. You’ll miss Black Rock Pass (see Day 3 of Sequoia’s Best Backpacking Loop), but you’ll enjoy more of Mineral King, including the area around Sawtooth Mountain that I highlight in my Day 3 write‑up and linked video.
Whichever you choose, you can’t go to wrong!
High Sierra Permits: Loops Hikes and Alternatives FAQs
Do I need a permit to hike the High Sierra Trail or any of the loop alternatives?
Yes. All overnight trips in Sequoia–Kings Canyon National Parks require a wilderness permit, including the High Sierra Trail, the Hamilton Basin Loop, and the Mineral King Loop.
How early do High Sierra Trail permits get booked up?
Summer dates often fill quickly, especially June–August. Shoulder‑season dates (May and September) are easier, but snow and weather can be more variable.
Which trailheads issue permits for the High Sierra Trail?
The High Sierra Trail permit allows entry from Crescent Meadow or Wolverton, depending on availability.
Is the Hamilton Basin Loop an official trail?
No — it’s an unofficial but logical loop that uses established trails, including sections of the High Sierra Trail, Black Rock Pass, Redwood Meadows, and the return to Crescent Meadow. It’s simply a smart way to experience the High Sierra without the point‑to‑point logistics. The route isn’t documented elsewhere, so although I don’t claim to be the first to hike it, I’ve given it an unofficial name here for clarity.
Why choose the Hamilton Basin Loop instead of the full High Sierra Trail?
Because it offers:
- classic High Sierra scenery
- easier logistics (start and finish at your car)
- a manageable 5‑day itinerary
- no need for a Whitney exit permit or shuttle
How difficult is the Hamilton Basin Loop?
It’s a challenging 5–6‑day, 53‑mile backpacking route with roughly 13,000 feet of total elevation gain.
Can I extend the Hamilton Basin Loop to Big Five Lakes or Sawtooth Pass?
Yes — both are excellent add‑ons, though extending to Sawtooth Pass means skipping Black Rock Pass, one of the best sections of the loop.
Is the Mineral King Loop a good alternative if High Sierra Trail permits are gone?
Absolutely. It’s shorter, less competitive, and stunning — but comes with quirks like a slow access road and the infamous marmots that chew car hoses.
Do I really need to protect my car from marmots at Mineral King?
Yes. Marmot damage is common enough that the NPS has an official page about it. Most hikers wrap their car with a tarp.
When is the best time to hike these loops?
Late June through September is ideal. Earlier dates may have lingering snow on passes like Black Rock Pass or Sawtooth Pass.
Are bear canisters required?
Yes. All overnight hikers in Sequoia–Kings Canyon must carry a bear‑resistant food canister. Canisters can be rented from various locations across the park. For the most up‑to‑date information on rental sites, models, and seasonal availability, check the park’s Food Storage Containers for Rent page.
Is there water along the Hamilton Basin Loop?
Yes — lakes, creeks, and streams are frequent, but always treat or filter water.
Do I need a shuttle for any of these loops?
No. Both the Hamilton Basin Loop and Mineral King Loop start and end at the same trailhead, eliminating the shuttle problem that makes the full High Sierra Trail so complex.