High Sierra Trail vs Maple Pass Loop Trail
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| High Sierra Trail | Maple Pass Loop Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 45 mi73 km | 1.7 mi3 km |
| Elevation gain | 9,843 ft3,000 m | 62 ft19 m |
| Typical duration | 4 days | 1 day |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Regional | Local |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from June to August | Best months: July, September |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
High Sierra Trail vs Maple Pass Loop Trail: which should you hike?
At 45 mi73 km, High Sierra Trail is the longer route — roughly 43 mi70 km more than Maple Pass Loop Trail (1.7 mi3 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Maple Pass Loop Trail is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.