'Sierra Grand Traverse' — A Talk With Backpackers and Guidebook Authors John and Monica Chapman

Sierra Grand Traverse offers experienced hikers an epic route across one of the world’s greatest mountain ranges. Experienced hikers and writers John and Monica Chapman will tell us about this 200-mile-long traverse, which begins in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park and heads through the High Sierra south to Mount Whitney and then on to Horseshoe Meadows. The challenging but approachable adventure winds through five wilderness areas spread across three national parks and two national forests.

While some of the traverse follows well-defined trails, more than half of it is off-trail. The route starts at 8,580 feet and hikers spend most of their time between 9,000 and 12,000 feet--reveling in the open ridges and stunning vistas above treeline. With 56,000 feet of elevation change and crossing 41 mountain passes, this route requires solid navigation skills and careful planning and preparation.