The Theodore Solomons Trail – evil twin of the JMT

[Drew Smith]

Country United States
State California
Area Sierra Nevada
Trip Month (07) – July

Report / Notes
The Solomons Trail (named after the guy who thought up the JMT) is not really a trail. This is true on a couple of levels: there are no signs designating it, no guidebooks describing it(none less than 40 years old), and no maintained trail for much of the route.

But if you are looking for a different sort of Sierra long-distance hike, you might want to consider the Solomons Trail as you make your hiking plans this winter.

The TST parallels the JMT 5-10 miles to the west, going from Horseshoe Meadows west of Lone Pine some 250 miles to Glacier Point in Yosemite. It takes you through the “Middle Sierra”. It’s a land of big trees, big rivers — and big climbs out of those river canyons.

It’s not for everyone, and certainly not a good choice for a first long-distance hike. But if you’ve done the JMT, or the PCT, or the various high routes, the TST will be a rewarding change and challenge. And since its endpoints are so close to those of the JMT, making a 500-mile loop hike of the two trails is very feasible.

This TR is a bit dated. 2019 was a record high snow year, and I had to bail on fording the Middle Fork of the Kings, so that section is missing. As with so much of the Sierra, there have been major fires, especially in the San Joaquin drainage. However, the fires may have made this portion of the route more passable, not less — it was thoroughly choked with deadfalls and underbrush and was a very difficult passage indeed.

Whether you are considering hiking it or not, I think the TST offers an aspect of the Sierra that most of us are unfamiliar with. I hope you enjoy reading about it, my first journal entry (of 13) is here: first journal entry (of 13) is here https://drewsmithblog.com/2019/07/tst-day-1-horseshoe-meadows-to-golden-trout-creek/

[jscott]

wonderful write up! thanks. I wasn’t familiar with this ‘trail’ (ahem) even. though I’ve hiked extesively in those mountains. blow downs and manzanita and hot exposed climbs are a challenge for sure. I think the TST offers more of all that than I’m willing to take on. Yep, I’m a lightweight! give me a nice trail and yes, even a bridge or two if possible.

[Ike Jutkowitz]

Wow! I started reading your first entry a couple mornings ago, and couldn’t put it down until I had finished them all. I think your battered shins tell the tale of that adventure better than anything.

There’s something to be said for going after it on the path less traveled. The scenery isn’t always as grand as the popular spots, but there are many other rewards. I gravitate toward those types of trips as well.

Well done.

[Terran]

Given a choice of manzanita and buckthorn, I’ll take the buckthorn. Manzanita beats up your legs. I found it easiest to walk between them. They chock each other off somewhat.

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