Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board High Sierra Trail--lodgepole--hotel ??

Calling all Sierra veterans...I'm doing the High Sierra Trail in Sept and plan to drive to the trailhead the day before I set out. I'd like to stay in a hotel that night near the trailhead. Any suggestions? I've checked out the Wuksachi lodge but they are pretty expensice...$159. Any other hotels in the area...tent cabins...something other than one of the sure to be overcrowded campgrounds.

Thanks

Sequoia is notoriously bad on accomodations. The Wuksachi is where I stay and it's worth every penny, a nice place. The only other alternative is the campgrounds, if you choose that route, go to the Dorst campground, the other ones are awful. I base that on personal experience. Dorst is the Cadillac of campgrounds.

Check the Wuksachi closer to your date. The prices seem to change on a whim. To state the obvious, after Labor Day the crowds will be way smaller, so Lodgepole may not be too bad. It can be like sleeping in LAX - real crowded and noisy, but manageable for just one night.

Just did the HST at the end of July and stayed at the Wuksachi the night before. Worth it to me. There are cheaper motels in Three Rivers but that leaves you a fair drive the AM of your start and if you want to start early you will have to pick up your permit the day before. By the time you drive from Three Rivers, secure your permit, and drive back you will have used up about two hours and a few bucks worth of gas. Then you still have to drive back the next AM. Wuksachi is about 20 minutes from the Crescent Meadow Trailhead.