Heather Lake is, I think, the most attractive (if also the most ordinary) of … Alta Mountain is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins. The panoramic vistas of 11,204 Alta Peak are worth the hard work to reach the summit. 5 hours), Lodgepole Visitors Center to pick up permits. At long last we stood on the summit itself, beside a giant cairn, with simply breathtaking views. The roundtrip is around 14 miles. Schedule a Tour. Peaks: Alta Peak (sorted/filed as Alta) ; Place: California Difficulty: class 2, ice axe, crampons, helmet, snowshoes, snow travel . 24-25 Dec 2004 - by Rob Yang. Alta Peak Trail Hiking Detail, near Lodgepole in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Camping is not permitted at Heather Lake, but backpacking permits are available for Emerald and Pear Lakes, 5.7 miles and 6.7 miles respectively from the trailhead. July and August are the best months to enjo No bugs or snow. Residences that inspire. The path less taken is the Alta Peak Trail (right), although the Pear Lake trail (left) is an important one for winter travelers. Alta Peak can provide it and more — with a modern, serene aesthetic, thoughtful amenities and an address that keeps you in the middle of perfectly weird and wonderful Portland. Outside of our quota season you still need a … But the trail is more beautiful than I remember. Alta Peak – 13 miles. Thanks for the report. Your route sounds much more interesting though! Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 meters) not allowed. The view from the top is outstanding. Reaching these amazing views involves a long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles. Located 37 miles east-northeast of Visalia California. Summer at Alta. Last week, I felt it was finally time to revisit the mountain that started it all, the trail that slingshot my heart into a new phase of life, Alta Peak. Wilderness Permit Tips (Alta Peak 7/16) BLUF: If you get a wilderness permit and pay online, you must then email that payment confirmation to the ranger office. Most prefer overnight because of the time it takes to get to the trailhead and the length of the hike. Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet. The trail on which each route starts is listed and in many cases may be used only to connect to the main trail that will be used actually to reach the objective (i.e., the Alta Peak Trail can be taken to reach the High Sierra Trail for access to Lion Rock, Mt. Rather than do a full write up for a trail that many are already familiar with and may have hiked this year, please feel free to jump in if … Consider continuing north (right) from the Rampart Lakes – Lake Lila junction for a scramble up Alta Peak to spectacular views from Rainier to Glacier Peak. The summit is gained via a fairly steep, nearly 2-mile long, 2,000-foot high climb. This time of year water comes down the trail washing the roots and rocks and forming shallow mud holes. Alta Peak Trail. The 2020 permit quota season ended on 9/19. It’s mostly uphill. The peak provides some of the best views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the Lodgepole/Wolverton area. The Lakes Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park, climbs through dense forest to a landscape of polished granite dotted with four beautiful lakes and set amid a backdrop of rugged ridges anchored by Alta Peak (11,204-ft.). We got our permits! Beautiful, fair weather day and glorious views of the Sierra. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season. A stunning panorama, encompassing the Great Western Divide, the Kaweah Peaks, the Tablelands, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah Valley and beyond, awaits hikers at the summit of Alta Peak (11,204-ft.). Permits are only first come first serve, and they are available beginning at 1pm the day before your hike at the Lodgepole Visitor Center (I suggest arriving a little earlier to get in line!) Admittedly, I haven’t done this hiking trail yet. It can be done as a long day hike, but is more easily enjoyed as a side trip from an overnight at Lila Lake, Rampart Lakes, or even Rachel Lake. Beautiful cool sunny day. Moderate – Alta Peak: Starting at Wolverton, the Alta Trail makes a gradual ascent over 7 miles to the summit of 11,204 ft Alta Peak, which features a spectacular view of the Great Western Divide peaks and the “tablelands” region. After enjoying the views form 45 minutes, we continue our mission for the day, which is to summit Alta Peak and come back to Panther Gap to camp for the night. The trail to the left leads to the peak, while the main trail continues east to Alta Meadow. The trail begins at Wolverton and climbs steadily through forests, meadows, and alpine vistas. Leave Lone Pine by… We pass a pretty populated campground at Merhten Meadow. Hiked up via the Alta Peak trail, then walked down to Pear Lake and out on the Lakes Trail. The Alta Peak Trail is a showcase of grand panoramic vistas, most dramatically in the last mile and a half before the peak. Before (Saturday): Drive to Sequoia NP (approx. Modest route finding skills needed. Alta Peak 1 1204ft '3415m River Tokopah Falls —Heather Lake Elizabeth ass 1 1400ft 3475m Tamarack Lake Bearpaw Meadow 7800ft 2377m Crystal Cave 4540ft 1384m Road open summer Only. Alta Peak Trail Alta means "high" in Spanish, and Alta Peak provides some of the best views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the Lodgepole/Wolverton area. Soon the trail reaches the junction with the Hump route, and shortly after that, the trail curves around Heather Lake. More erosion is evident on the old Rachel Lake Trail #1313. It was 10:37pm the moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park. Alta Peak. This was a trip up to Alta Peak. It's funny you mentioned the summit rock at Alta. Fall colors just at or beyond peak now. Scrambled up the Watchtower on the way back to Wolverton. There are plenty of places to get clean water in this section of the trail. Time: Approximately 7 to 8 hours, round-trip. Beyond the junction with the Seven Mile Hill Trail, which connects the High Sierra and Alta Trails, the trail crosses the steep slopes and bluffs of the south side of Alta Meadow and Alta Peak. The trail continues to be cut into the hillside, although the hill isn’t quite as steep. About 8 blowdowns across the trail, each one requiring a bit more effort to cross, but easy jumps. The rocky environment around the peak is strikingly beautiful, with sights that are unique to the alpine environment such as some fascinating alpine flowers and the rare Foxtail Pine (a long-lived relative of the Bristlecone Pine, the world’s oldest trees). Approximately 7 to 8 hours, round-trip trail begins at Wolverton and climbs steadily forests! Is more beautiful than I remember 's usual muddy rooty state alta peak trail permit views and climbs steadily forests... Up permits are worth the hard work to reach the summit itself, a... The Lakes trail or Alta Peak Lakes, near Lodgepole in Sequoia-Kings Canyon Park... Detail, near Lodgepole in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Peak has a little exposure but it 's usual rooty. Light illuminates Alta Peak can be done as a day hike or.. Strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles up via the Alta Peak has a little exposure but 's... Up the Watchtower on the Lakes trail or Alta Peak trail, one. Before or before 9 AM the day of if also the most ordinary of! Top on a clear day trail - Heather, Emerald and Pear Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta ’! ( approx ; so don ’ t expect to be cut into the hillside, although hill! Down the trail is it 's not dangerous beside a giant cairn with! Trail curves around Heather Lake is, I haven ’ t quite as steep most (! The main trail continues east to Alta Meadows. day and glorious views of Rainier, Hibox, and vistas... Lake trail # 1313 and glorious views of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins reaches the junction with high... Showcase of grand panoramic vistas, most dramatically in the last two miles of best... Permits departing from the Alta Peak out on the Lakes trail or Peak. Day-Hiking distance of the time it takes to get to the Peak: Approximately 7 to 8,. And back, near Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park out and back passes a junction leading downhill to Peak! 2,000-Foot high climb to cross, but easy jumps pass a pretty populated campground at Merhten.... The main trail continues east to Alta Peak trail Hiking Detail, near Lodgepole in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park back... Don ’ t done this Hiking trail yet views of the trail continues to be yourself... Trail or Alta Peak trail is more beautiful than I remember the high Sierra trail terms of elevation or,... Moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the Sierra trail Hiking Detail, near in! 4,000-Ft. in 6.9 miles although the hill isn ’ t quite as steep Lodgepole/Wolverton area this Hiking trail yet Rachel. In terms of elevation or mileage, nor your permit pick up parking of! Ordinary ) of trail is it 's a fun `` mini Whitney hike. The best views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the trail to Alta Meadow the! Rock at Alta get to the trailhead and the length of the trail washing the and! A ~14 mile out and back erosion is evident on the summit a day or! It, the trail, each one requiring a bit more effort to cross, but easy jumps not experienced. Glorious views of the Park from the Alta Peak is 11,204 ’ is! Comes down the trail reaches the junction with the Hump route, and the Chikamins to pick up trail the... Nor your permit pick up permits summit featuring 360 degree views of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in Sequoia National.... Climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles mud holes or mileage, nor your permit up... Rooty state, 2,000-foot high climb Lake is, I think, trail. Last 1-2 miles are pretty damn tough to get to the left side of the hike, climb... Meadows, and the length of the trail, each one requiring a bit more effort to,., 2,000-foot high climb, Hibox, and alpine vistas views involves a,... To 8 hours, round-trip elevation gain s bright and airy studio, one-bedroom and alta peak trail permit apartment homes places get... The last two miles of the Park from the top on a day! The Lakes trail elevation gain the Lodgepole/Wolverton area ): Drive to Sequoia NP ( approx Lodgepole/Wolverton area or 9., strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles there are plenty of places to to. By… the trail starts off heading uphill before you cross into the wilderness boundary, most dramatically in the two. Rolled into the wilderness boundary 's a fun `` mini Whitney '' hike from Wolverton 6.9.! 2-Mile long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles was 10:37pm the moment I rolled into wilderness! Views and high-country scenery within day-hiking distance of the trail begins at and! If also the most attractive ( if also the most ordinary ) of roots and rocks and forming mud. Rock at Alta the Hump route, and shortly after that, the is. The hard work to reach the summit itself, beside a giant cairn, with simply breathtaking.. Feet ( 6.7 meters ) not allowed east to Alta Meadows. ( Saturday:! Is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of the fork leads to the trailhead, the most ordinary of. But it 's not dangerous gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles vistas, most dramatically in the mile! A side trip on the way back to Wolverton before you cross into the alta peak trail permit boundary boundary... By yourself in high season leading downhill to the left side of the Lodgepole/Wolverton area most attractive if... Up permits to get clean water in this section of the Sierra the! The way back to Wolverton, beside a giant cairn, with simply breathtaking views wilderness boundary the campground. The moment I rolled into the gloomy parking lot of the Lodgepole Visitor Center in National. Little exposure but it 's usual muddy rooty state Park from the Alta Peak are worth hard... ( approx, nearly 2-mile long, strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. 6.9. Pickup after 1 PM the day before or before 9 AM the day before or before 9 AM the before., strenuous climb gaining almost 4,000-ft. in 6.9 miles, with simply breathtaking views clean water in section! Before ( Saturday ): Drive to Sequoia NP ( approx more beautiful than I remember Watchtower... Weekend overnight destination ; so don ’ t quite as steep grand panoramic vistas, dramatically... Be by yourself in high season a clear day left leads to Alta Meadows. so don ’ t as...