JMT vs SHR Mileage Q

[Matthew / BPL]

[I posted this question on High Sierra Topix as well. Apologies to anyone subjected to my rambling question twice]

I’m planning a late July hike for this summer. I’d like to spend some time exploring off-trail along the SHR and I’m wondering what kind of mileage I will likely cover daily off-trail. How does on-trail mileage compare to off-trail mileage?

Some pertinent details:

• I’m currently looking at the SHR north of Piute Pass (Puppet Pass > French Canyon > Merriam Lake > Bear Lakes > Lake Italy > JMT SOBO > Piute Pass).
• I have almost no off-trail experience.
• I’m confident in my map reading skills.
• I covered ~12 miles/day on the JMT back in 2015. I’m confident I’d comfortably cover 15+ miles/day on the JMT now because of much lower pack weight, fitness and experience. I’ve learned how to set up and break down camp efficiently and I realize now that I like hiking slower but more continuously all day long.

All of that said, I’m not out to win any races and I understand this is an unanswerable question but for planning purposes, should I be thinking about like 8 mile days? Less than that?

[Ralph Burgess]

For that area and your level of experience I think you are exactly right in assuming about half the mileage that you would cover on-trail.

From Merriam through the Bear Lakes area is my favorite part of the Sierras. This part of the SHR has plenty of easy relaxed sections, a few parts that will be moderately challenging for an off-trail beginner, but nothing really difficult.   You seem well organized, I’d say it’s a great choice.

If you have time, consider lingering a couple of nights with a camp near Ursa / Big Bear, and spending a day wandering down to the Seven Gables Lakes valley.   You can get there either via the Big Bear outlet stream, or via Vee Lake.   The flowers are spectacular in this area.

Although you will be well away from the crowds of the JMT,  from a safety perspective if you’re following the canonical SHR in July you can expect to encounter other hikers at least once a day.

Camp above Big Bear looking toward Seven Gables:

[Matthew / BPL]

Great! Thanks for the feedback and recommendations!

[Paul Wagner]

Just as an average, we figure about 1mph off trail….and that’s assuming no heavy bushwhacking or tactical problems.  Off trail you just spend more time thinking about where you are going, and looking at where you are.

[nunatak]

My experience is 10 miles a day on average off trail in the Sierra.The routes I do are typically a notch harder than most SHR days due to peak ascents.

[Matthew / BPL]

1 mph seems like a good estimate and confirms that we will likely do less than that given our level of experience.

[Author]

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