According to the Yosemite Decimal System, the HST is a Class 1/Class 2 trail, which means simple scrambling, with the possibility of occasional use of the hands for balance.

The Bearpaw Meadow High Sierra Camp (a simple tent hotel) located here dates back to 1934.

[3] Leaving the meadow, the trail climbs through the Hamilton Lakes Basin to Kaweah Gap which, at 10,700 feet (3,300 m), is one of the lowest passes over the Great Western Divide within the park.

From this pass, the route descends into Big Arroyo and then climbs to the Chagoopa Plateau, only to drop again to 6,700 feet (2,000 m) in the Kern River Canyon.

From Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal, the trail is 72.2 miles (116.2 km) long and often takes 6 days or more for the average hiker to complete.