Trail Crest is a mountain pass and trail junction located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, United States. Situated at an elevation of approximately 13,645 feet (4,159 meters), it sits on the boundary between Sequoia National Park and the Inyo National Forest.
The pass is a significant landmark on the Mount Whitney Trail, the most popular route for ascending Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Trail Crest serves as the junction where the Mount Whitney Trail meets the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail, a long-distance trekking route that extends north toward Yosemite Valley.
For hikers ascending from the east via Whitney Portal, Trail Crest is reached after a series of approximately 99 switchbacks. It represents the highest point on the trail before the final 1.9-mile (3.1 km) traverse along the western slope of the ridge to the summit. Because of its high elevation, the pass is characterized by thin air, rocky terrain, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. It provides expansive views of the Owens Valley to the east and the Great Western Divide and the Kern River canyon to the west.