The Theodore Solomons Trail is the Sierra Nevada's best-kept secret—a 247-mile wilderness route running parallel to the John Muir Trail from Glacier Point in Yosemite to Horseshoe Meadow near Lone Pine. Conceived in 1974 as a lower-elevation alternative to the JMT, the TST trades alpine passes for lush forests, backcountry sequoia groves, and stunning geological features including Tehipite Dome (the tallest granite dome in the Sierra by prominence) and Devils Postpile's basalt columns.
This trail is for experienced backpackers only. Much of the route crosses unmaintained trail with massive deadfall, requires cross-country navigation skills, and sees only 3-5 permit requests per year according to Inyo National Forest rangers. The Middle Fork Kings River ford at Simpson Meadow—where the footbridge washed away in the 1970s and was never replaced—is the trail's most notorious obstacle and dictates a narrow seasonal window. If you've completed the JMT and crave solitude, stunning geology, and a genuine wilderness challenge, the TST delivers an unforgettable Sierra experience.
The TST crosses multiple jurisdictions requiring careful permit planning. The easiest approach is obtaining a single through-permit from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine (760-876-6200), located at Highway 395 and State Route 136. This permit covers the entire route including Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Permit Requirements by Direction: - Southbound (Glacier Point start): Yosemite wilderness permits are highly competitive. Arrive 1-2 days early and check the ranger station at 10am daily when they release no-show permits. Reserve up to 168 days in advance through recreation.gov. - Northbound (Horseshoe Meadow start): Cottonwood Pass permits through Inyo National Forest are easier. Daily quota is 40 people during June 30-September 15. Reserve 6 months ahead (60% of quota) or 2 weeks ahead (40% of quota) at 7am Pacific on recreation.gov. Permit pickup available after-hours in Lone Pine with advance arrangement.
Costs: $15 per group + $5 per person during quota season (Sequoia/Kings Canyon). Inyo National Forest charges $5 per person.
Bear Canisters: Required in all three national parks year-round. Rentals available at Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove), Giant Forest Museum (Lodgepole), and Foothills Visitor Center (Ash Mountain). Counterbalancing is technically allowed in national forest sections, but with 14 bear sightings reported in 19 days by one hiker, a canister is strongly recommended for the entire route.
Group Size: Maximum 15 people in both Sierra and Inyo National Forest wilderness areas.
Campfire Regulations: Obtain a free California Campfire Permit before your trip. Fire restrictions vary by season and location—check current conditions with managing agencies before departure. Campfires are often prohibited at higher elevations and during dry periods.
July through early September offers the most reliable conditions, though the window is narrower than the JMT due to the Middle Fork Kings River crossing.
Early Season (Late June-July): Snow melts earlier than on the JMT due to lower elevations, but high runoff makes the Simpson Meadow ford extremely dangerous or impossible. Pack station operators refuse horse crossings until late summer in high snow years. One hiker described it as "perhaps the scariest crossing of my hiking career with the river threatening to toss me down and carry me away." Avoid unless it's a low snow year and you've confirmed recent crossing reports.
Peak Season (August): Water levels drop to mid-thigh depth at Simpson Meadow by late August in normal years. Afternoon thunderstorms are common due to North American Monsoon patterns—plan to cross passes before noon. Some higher-elevation water sources begin drying up, but the 11 major river crossings remain reliable.
Late Season (Early September): Best ford conditions, with knee-deep crossings reported in dry years. Mosquitoes diminish. Risk of early fall storms increases. Huntington Lake area services may close early in the season.
Wildfire Considerations: The route passes through approximately 38 miles of recent burn areas (Creek Fire: 34 miles, Moraine Fire: 2 miles, Castle Fire: 1.5 miles, Shotgun Fire: 0.5 miles). Expect increased deadfall, erosion, and more challenging navigation through these sections.
Water is generally abundant in the Sierra, though late-season hikers should monitor specific sources.
Water Sources: The TST crosses 11 major rivers and numerous creeks. Carry a filter—meadow sources may be contaminated by grazing cattle and horses. By late August, higher meadows dry up but river crossings remain reliable. Plan water carries carefully through burn areas where smaller creeks may have vanished.
Resupply Strategy: Unlike the JMT, resupply requires planning and effort. The trail crosses five roads offering resupply opportunities:
Silver City at Mineral King (Mile 55): Full-service resort with store. Mail drops accepted—call ahead to arrange delivery. Take the trail fork north of Hockett down to Atwell Campground for access. Approximately 3 miles off-trail.
Roads End (Mile 105): No services at trailhead. Hitch 6 miles down to Cedar Grove Visitor Center for a small store. Hitching can be challenging on this low-traffic road.
Courtright Reservoir (Mile 180): Trail reaches the lake at Voyager Rock Campground. Limited services.
Potter Pass Trailhead (Mile 200): Road crossing with bear boxes for food drops. Hitch 6 miles to Huntington Lake for General Store and Post Office (Lakeshore Resort accepts mail drops). Warning: Hitching from Badger Flats can take over an hour with minimal traffic.
Clover Meadow (Mile 248): Final access point before Glacier Point. Very long shuttle on bumpy gravel roads.
Resupply Recommendations: Most hikers resupply at Silver City and Huntington Lake, treating the others as emergency access points.
Middle Fork Kings River Crossing (Simpson Meadow): The trail's defining obstacle. No bridge—ford required. August to early September offers the safest conditions, typically mid-thigh depth with strong current. Rocks are algae-covered and slippery; trekking poles essential. Scout upstream for the shallowest channel. In high water years or early season, this crossing can be life-threatening. Have a bailout plan.
Unmaintained Trail Sections: Much of the route hasn't been maintained in decades. The section from Rattlesnake Crossing to Cassidy Bridge is notoriously bad with "seemingly endless downed trees" and disappeared tread. GPS device essential—download tracks from recent hikers. Expect cross-country navigation skills to be necessary. No trail signs designate the TST.
Lightning & Afternoon Thunderstorms: North American Monsoon brings intense, unpredictable storms July through September. Cross all passes before noon. The Eastern Sierra's extreme prominence creates spectacular but dangerous lightning displays. While lightning injuries are rare compared to other hazards, don't get complacent on exposed ridges.
Wildlife: Black bears are extremely active along this route. One hiker saw 14 bears in 19 days. Proper food storage is critical—don't skimp on the bear canister. Mountain lions also inhabit the area. Rattlesnakes present in lower elevations.
Route Finding: The last guidebook was published in 1992. Near Coyote Pass and many National Forest sections, you'll lose the trail. GPS tracks, strong map reading skills, and comfort with cross-country travel are mandatory. This is not a trail for beginners.
Isolation: With only 3 permits issued annually by Inyo National Forest, you may not see another hiker for days. Self-rescue capability and comprehensive wilderness first aid skills are essential.
Northern Terminus (Glacier Point, Yosemite): From the San Francisco Bay Area, drive Highway 120 to Yosemite Valley, then Wawona Road to Glacier Point Road (41 miles from valley, seasonal road closure in winter). Limited parking in backpacker lot.
Southern Terminus (Horseshoe Meadow): From Highway 395 in Lone Pine, drive Horseshoe Meadow Road 21 miles to the trailhead (high-clearance recommended but not required). Ample backpacker parking. Lone Pine is accessible via ESTA bus from Mammoth (if flying to Mammoth) or Lancaster (MetroLink connection from LA-area airports).
Shuttle Logistics: Leave your vehicle at your ending trailhead and arrange a ride to the start—it's a very long shuttle. The drive from Clover Meadow to Glacier Point includes many miles of bumpy gravel roads. Consider the added complexity when planning your hike direction.
Road Crossings for Section Hiking: Besides resupply points, the trail's five road crossings allow flexible section hiking: Roads End, Courtright Reservoir, Potter Pass, and Clover Meadow.
Simpson Meadow Strategy: This crossing determines everything. Check recent trip reports for current conditions before committing to your start date. Build flexibility into your schedule to wait out high water if necessary. The ford is typically just upstream of Simpson Meadow where the north-side trail peters out—scout thoroughly before committing.
Navigation Tools: Download GPS tracks from multiple recent hikers and cross-reference. Avenza Maps offers georeferenced TST maps. Carry paper maps as backup. The trail thread has "gotten very thin or disappeared" in many sections—don't rely on tread.
Camping: Bearpaw Meadow (Mile 73) offers developed sites with bear boxes and outhouses but fills up quickly. For Tehipite Valley, recommended camps include Rodgers Creek (night 1), near Crown Creek in Tehipite (night 2), and past Simpson Meadow at the brook below Windy Peak (night 3). Scout for established sites to minimize impact.
Burn Areas: The 38 miles of recent burns mean extensive deadfall and challenging navigation. Budget extra time for these sections—your mileage will suffer. Lightweight work gloves help when moving logs.
Timing: Start your day early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Cross passes by noon. This also helps with daily mileage given the slow going through unmaintained sections.
Experience Level: Seriously evaluate your skills before attempting this trail. If the JMT seemed challenging, the TST will be significantly harder. This route demands proficiency in cross-country navigation, strong wilderness judgment, and comfort with genuine remoteness.
Hidden Highlights: While the Middle Fork Kings canyon from Simpson Meadow to Tehipite Valley is spectacular, don't miss the backcountry sequoia groves that the higher JMT bypasses entirely. The lush forests and geological diversity—from Tehipite Dome to basalt columns—offer a completely different Sierra experience than the more famous alpine routes.
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