Trans Sierra Backpacking

This is one of the more adventuresome outings of the Great Outdoors. You will be crossing the Sierra Nevada Range from one side to the other in 5 days. Proper equipment and conditioning are important, but anyone with determination and enthusiasm should be able to make it.

Our trip will be divided into two groups of hikers. One group of hikers will start from the West and the other group will start from the East. After 2 days of hiking, both groups will meet on the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at a campsite on Lake of the Lone Indian. Here we will all spend a layover day and that night we will share a large meal and campfire (and exchange car keys). During your layover day you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding peaks and lakes. This region is known as the Silver Divide and includes several peaks over 12,000 feet high. After a day in camp, each group will continue on in the direction they were headed. In two more days of hiking you will reach the other side of the Sierra Nevada. This is truly a Trans –Sierra crossing. Total mileage: 29.2

This is a really fun trip and it’s full of Sierra grandeur and adventure. There are rivers to ford and peaks to climb and lakes to swim in. August is prime time in the Sierras. Total mileage is about 29 miles and of course both groups follow the same identical route. Those hikers starting from East will have a little easier go of it since they’ll be starting out about 1,000 feet higher than the guys coming from the West.

About the two trip leaders:

Kyle Richards lives in Goleta, CA and has led several adventures with the Great Outdoors, including a few backpacking trips. Most recently he has led backpacking excursions to the San Rafael Wilderness in Santa Barbara County, a cross-country ski trip to Yosemite's Glacier Point, and a 5-day backpacking trip to Cottonwood Lakes in the eastern Sierra. In addition, he has led a river canoe trip up the Black Canyon of the Colorado River and he is also an avid cyclist, bike touring 400+ miles through Oregon in 2008, 350 miles from DC to Pittsburgh in 2009, and 600 miles down the coast of California in 2010. In his spare time he enjoys doing decoupage and other crafty projects.

Jack Funk lives in Santa Barbara and has been active in the Great Outdoors since 1995. He has lead trips into the Sierra Nevada for many years; starting first with his seventh graders from Marin Country Day School and then with the Sierra Club and also with private parties of fellow hikers. Over the years he’s done pretty much the whole John Muir Trail. This Trans-Sierra trip was done once before in 1997 and was a great success. On that trip there were 6 guys in each group and on the layover day there were 12 at the camp on Lake of the Lone Indian. It was a lot of fun and for many it was their first experience with the Sierra Nevada.

“A lot has changed in the thirty odd years that I’ve been doing the Sierras. With nylon tents, down bags, ThermaRest pads and light weight stoves, not to mention the improved pack frames, the weight on your back has been cut down considerably. It’s now possible to go out for a week with less than 35 pounds and live in style and eat like a king. We plan to do both on this trip. August will be the perfect time to hit the Sierras this year because of the heavy snowfall last winter the streams will be at their peak and the flowers, above 9,000, will be blooming. If you have any qualms about whether or not you can do this trip, give me or Kyle a call. If my seventh graders could do it, chances are you can make it too. Likewise if you have questions about equipment or traveling to the trail head, call or e-mail either us”.
Happy Trails, Jack