The Becks envisioned this line across the southern Sierra as California's answer to the famous Haute Route of the Alps. When I skied this route, in April 1986, it was a revelation to me. I couldn't have anticipated just how much I would experience that week. The tour begins at the Shepherd Pass trailhead, on Symmes Creek, several miles southwest of Independence. The tour ends at the Wolverton Trailhead, on the west side of Sequoia National Park.
Parking is available at both trailheads.
The car shuttle is truly epic, so consider creative transportation arrangements. It is a 6000' climb from the eastern trailhead to the first pass, Shepherd Pass. Most of this is hiking, not skiing. Shepherd Pass is fairly steep on the east side, and most people will be comfortable taking off their skis and post-holing up it, ice axe in hand. From Shepherd Pass, ski westward, south of Diamond Mesa, and then a bit south of west.