Create an account sign-up-diamond

Start your adventure today.

Already a member? Login

Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour

Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!

Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
From $3,995USDBook Now
Your itineraryDates & pricesReviews
10 days from $3,995USD
Easy quote
Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Embark on a striking trekking expedition through America’s Sequoia National Park on this legendary 10-day guided Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour. Each day, you’ll wind to otherworldly views: traverse through the unique-looking foxtail Pine Forests, camp at the scenic Rock Creek lake, hike across the Great Western Divide via Colby Pass.

The highlight of this 133-kilometre route is the stone age-like views of rocky mountains sprawled across the horizon, stabbing the air with their grey-tinged peaks. These remarkable views are visible from atop Mt. Whitney! Spend nights wild camping in remote areas dotting Sequoia National Park. This journey is challenging but so worth the effort.

United States, North America
Happiness promise

Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour

Explore otherworldly spots in Sequoia National Park’s backcountry on foot
4.70
(46 reviews)
10 days from $3,995USD
Easy quote
Duration
10 days
Season
Aug-Sep
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Hotels, Camping
Difficulty
Very Hard (5/5)
From $3,995USD (see prices for this tour)
Get a quote
Got any questions?
Ask a question
National Geographic
Guardian
FodorsTravel
Time
Backpacker
National Geographic
Guardian
Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Embark on a striking trekking expedition through America’s Sequoia National Park on this legendary 10-day guided Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour. Each day, you’ll wind to otherworldly views: traverse through the unique-looking foxtail Pine Forests, camp at the scenic Rock Creek lake, hike across the Great Western Divide via Colby Pass.

The highlight of this 133-kilometre route is the stone age-like views of rocky mountains sprawled across the horizon, stabbing the air with their grey-tinged peaks. These remarkable views are visible from atop Mt. Whitney! Spend nights wild camping in remote areas dotting Sequoia National Park. This journey is challenging but so worth the effort.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Summit Mt. Whitney and marvel at the stone age-like views of grey-tinged peaks layered across the horizon as well as vistas of the eastern deserts.

Spend one night wild camping amid the scenic wonders skirting Rock Creek lake—fall asleep to the hushes and howls of nature’s lullaby.

Admire the unique scenery passing you by as you traverse Sequoia National Park, such as the foxtail Pine Forests.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in Lone Pine, a charming western town, on the second last night of this tour.

We are Australian
We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

Travellers love 10Adventures

View all
Day by day itinerary
Expand all days
Day 1
See more
Begin in Fresno, California
Spend the first night of this epic backpacking trip at a hotel. Before you head to bed for a solid night of rest, you will meet your guide at 6 pm to go over the upcoming adventure in detail. You’ll also get a chance to check over your gear. You are in charge of buying your own dinner tonight.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Fresno
Included Meals None
Day 2
See more
Hike along Ferguson Creek
Transfer via a private shuttle to Horse Corral Meadow, where your hike begins. Walk to the Kanawyer Gap and Marvin Pass. Soon, you’ll descend to Ferguson Creek. Set up camp and enjoy your first night in nature.
Distance 12 mi, 2644 ft ascent, 3081 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Ferguson Creek
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
See more
Go to Cloud Canyon
After packing up camp, you’ll start by meandering past the ranger station at Roaring River. This trail takes you to Cloud Canyon. Eventually, you’ll set up camp within the shadow of the Whaleback. Admire how this massive granite ridge imposes its dominance over the surrounding land.
Distance 9 mi, 2559 ft ascent, 666 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Whaleback
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
See more
Hike to Colby Pass
Continue along Colby Creek before reaching the pinnacle of the Great Western Divide. Follow Colby Pass to the ridge on the east and take a moment to revel in the supernatural views spanning this super remote area. Descent to Gallats Lake and relax at your campsite.
Distance 7 mi, 3268 ft ascent, 2264 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Gallats Lake
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
See more
Head to Wallace Creek
Experience more intoxicating views today! Begin by hiking into the Kern-Kaweah River valley before descending into Kern Canyon. Ascent to Wallace Creek after traversing through fresh-smelling Jeffrey Pine forests. Pitch your tent at Wallace Creek. This is also where you connect with the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails.
Distance 11 mi, 2710 ft ascent, 2375 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Wallace Creek
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
See more
Traverse foxtail Pine Forests
Start to catch a glimpse of Mt. Whitney today! But before you reach this masterpiece of a peak, you’ll have to travel through foxtail Pine Forests, which are only found in Sequoia National Park. Breathe in these spectacular views before dropping your bags and resting for the night at Guitar Lake, which sits below the great Mt. Whitney. Prepare for an early wake-up!
Distance 7 mi, 2034 ft ascent, 951 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Guitar Lake
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
See more
Hike Mt. Whitney
Wake up early and mentally prepare to summit Mt. Whitney. You’ll leave your gear behind, so you can hike to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of neverending stony peaks without carrying extra weight on your back. After basking in the vistas, you’ll return to Guitar Lake and pack up camp and have lunch. The round trip for Guitar Lake to Mt. Whitney and back is around 15 km. You’ll then walk to just under the treeline of Crabtree Meadows.
Distance 14 mi, 3360 ft ascent, 4511 ft descent
Overnight Location Camping at Crabtree Meadows
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
See more
Go to Rock Creek Lake
Meander along a flat section of the Pacific Crest Trail before a short ascent to Rock Creek lake. Spend the rest of the afternoon revelling in the beautiful scenery flanking the lake.
Distance 10.5 mi, 1985 ft ascent, 1886 descent
Overnight Location Camping at Rock Creek lake
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
See more
Hike over Cottonwood Pass
Enjoy your last few hours in nature as you go over Cottonwood Pass. Your private shuttle will be waiting for you at the trailhead with some refreshing beverages! You’ll then travel to Lone Pine, an outlandish western town. Take a shower at the hotel before meeting up with your group for dinner! You are in charge of paying for your own meal.
Distance 10 mi, 1690 ft ascent, 2175 ft descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Lone Pine
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
See more
Head back to Fresno
Consume a continental breakfast before heading back to Fresno. You will get dropped off at either the airport or at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. It’s suggested not to plan a flight before 3 pm!
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast

Why book with 10 Adventures?

We know adventure

Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.

Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.

Self-guided specialists

With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.

Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.

Packed with value

Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.

We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.

World Class support

Get unbeatable support at every step of your journey.

Whether you are planning or travelling, no matter what your question, a real human is always a call or click away.

Hassle free bookings

Have peace of mind for when travel plans change.

Explore our flexible booking, payment, and cancellation options, as well as our Lifetime Deposits program.

Reviews
5
37
4
6
3
2
2
1
1
4.70 (46 reviews)
Sort by: Newest
Dates and prices

This guided tour in the Sierra Nevada is always run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, therefore the price is fixed and only depends on the number of people sharing the room or a tent.

The prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-08-28

Fresno

10 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-09-06

Fresno

105+
$3,995USD
What’s included

Meals

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 2 nights in hotels—one night in Fresno and one night in Lone Pine. 7 nights of wilderness camping are also included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Fresno are not included.

Transportation during the Tour

Receive a free private shuttle ride from Fresno to the trailhead, from the ending trailhead to Lone Pine, and from Lone Pine back to Fresno.

Also Included

  • Guide
  • Personal backpacking gear (per request), such as sleeping bags, backpack, sleeping pads, tents, trekking poles
  • Group gear, such as stoves, group first aid kit, cooking items, water filters, etc.
  • Hot coffee and tea in the mornings

Not included

  • Flights to get to and from Fresno.
  • Personal clothing and shoes
  • Accommodations before and after the adventure tour in Fresno
  • Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service)
  • Evacuations
  • Insurance

Optional Extras

  • You can upgrade to a single occupancy in the hotel for an additional fee
  • Extra night in Fresno before tour
  • Extra night in Lone Pine after tour

Accommodation for Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour

This backpacking adventure will have you staying in two different cozy hotels. Both hotels have modern necessities that will keep you comfy and relaxed. Keep in mind that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement. You will spend the remaining 7 nights backcountry camping.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of {price currency="USD" value="260"} to have a private room in a hotel while traveling with a group. We can match the single travellers up, however, in case there aren’t any matches, you’ll have to pay a supplement of {price currency="USD" value="130"}.

Non-Standard Cancellation

  • 64 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 50% of the total trip cost.
  • Between 34 and 62 days prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 75% of the total trip cost.
  • 33 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost.
Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour?

This tour is rated as 5 / 5, as it has you hiking moderate to challenging routes every day. You also need to be comfortable with camping in the wild for 7 nights.

Do I need a Visa to travel to America?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour?

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Fresno to start this tour?

You can fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. You’ll find your hotel right across from the Airport.

Is the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide speaks English.

Where does the Trans Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney Backpacking Tour end?

The tour ends in Fresno, California.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to America?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for America?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to California for this tour?

The best time to travel to California for trekking is during the summer. This tour is available in August.

Back to top
Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
We're Canadian
Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Get travel inspiration and discounts

Join our weekly travel newsletter