Over the last few years, a retired San Francisco lawyer named John Ladd has run an annual online survey of people who hike the John Muir Trail, a famous route through the Sierra Nevadas that typically takes
about three weeks
to complete (through the fastest known time is two days, 19 hours, and 26 minutes, set last …
How hard is it to hike the John Muir Trail?
The main difficulty of the JMT
is its terrain and the length of the trail
. Over the course of your trip you’ll ascend and descend eleven mountain passes, many of them over 12,000 feet. Altitude sickness can bother some hikers along the JMT, though it’s not a common complaint.
How much does it cost to hike the John Muir Trail?
In all honesty you should probably expect to spend
closer to $1,200+
including additional travel costs (many people have to fly to California first), extra food prep items, and the various additional equipment you will need for the JMT versus your regular weekend backpacking trips (like a bear canister, new boots, a …
What is the best time of year to hike the John Muir Trail?
According to the Pacific Coast Trail
Do you need a permit to hike the John Muir Trail?
If you hope to reserve a permit, you should apply exactly 168 days in advance.
Can you camp anywhere on the JMT?
Usually it’s
right around 10,000′
— above which no campfires are allowed. There are usually signs that will warn you of this when you pass that elevation. Where campfires ARE allowed, you’ve got to use only established campsites and fire rings.
Has anyone died on the PCT?
There are relatively few deaths on PCT thru-hikes, considering the number of hikers, and the main causes of death are heat exhaustion, falls, and drowning due to either misadventure or bad luck.
There have been 15 deaths on the PCT since 1983
.
Is the John Muir Trail Safe?
The most dangerous part of any John Muir Trail thru-hike is the drive to the trailhead. The wilderness in general has far fewer hazards than your average freeway, and – unlike on the interstate – if you avoid gross lapses of judgment you can almost guarantee your survival.
Are there bears on the John Muir Trail?
Bears and bear canisters on the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail. … In California, the bear population has grown from about 10,000 in the 1980s to
around 35,000 now
. Their range has also expanded. In places where you didn’t use to worry about bears getting your food, there are now bears.
Is the John Muir Trail crowded?
The JMT is insanely crowded
. While on the trail for only 13 days I counted over 1,800 people, and this doesn’t include the people in tents I couldn’t see. This means you should expect crowded tent sites. And your odds of experiencing solitude are greatly diminished.
How hard is it to get a John Muir Trail permit?
John Muir permits are so popular that according to the national park service,
97% of JMT permit applications get denied
. But don’t let that statistic scare you off… that’s like failing ahead of time.
How long does it take to walk the JMT?
Over the last few years, a retired San Francisco lawyer named John Ladd has run an annual online survey of people who hike the John Muir Trail, a famous route through the Sierra Nevadas that typically takes about three weeks to complete (
through the fastest known time is two days, 19 hours, and 26 minutes
, set last …
Where is the resupply on the JMT?
Whether you stop at VVR or not, everyone pretty much stops at Muir Trail Ranch (as long as it’s open). It’s located directly on the trail and it’s the last convenient resupply point on the John Muir Trail if you’re hiking south.
Is the JMT well marked?
The trail is well-marked
but I think people still need to bring along a map. You can purchase a map of John Muir Trail on Amazon.
Can you section hike the JMT?
You will need a permit for all section hikes
on the John Muir Trail. Not a full-blown JMT thru-hiking permit, but still – a permit.
