Most people take about three weeks to complete the JMT, with many averaging around
10-12 miles a day
. That said, very fit and experienced hikers may cover 15-17 miles a day.
How difficult is the John Muir Trail?
Plus,
except for the high passes, the JMT is not, step for step, as difficult as hiking in other parts of the country
. Give serious thought to food supply and daily mileage, because leaving Muir Trail Ranch with 10 or 11 days worth of food will add about 20 pounds to your pack as you head for the JMT’s highest passes.
Can a beginner hike the John Muir Trail?
Thru-Hike Success Plan
Yes, you can make mistakes and still hike the JMT. Or
you can take a class and avoid the setbacks many beginners suffer
. Take our self-paced online thru-hiking class and learn tips and tricks from veteran thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas.
Is the John Muir Trail worth it?
It is not for the beauty and fun of the trip that I make the recommendation that one not do it. It is that
it is not worth the effort
. Absent the ability to have multiple resupply stops and taking some 2-3 months to make the trip it is a long walk in a beautiful place.
How long is the John Muir Trail?
The
211-mile
John Muir Trail is a world-famous trail stretching from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.
Where does the John Muir Trail start and finish?
The John Muir Trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world. The trail is 211 miles long and runs (mostly in conjunction with the PCT) from
Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, in California
.
Can you do the John Muir Trail in 2 weeks?
How Long Does It Take?
Most people complete the John Muir Trail in about three weeks
. Although the official trail ending at Mt. Whitney is 210 miles, you’ll still need to hike down to Whitney Portal after you summit, resulting in an end-to-end total of 221 miles.
What is the best time of year to hike the John Muir Trail?
According to the Pacific Coast Trail Association, the best time to hike the John Muir Trail is usually during
June through September
(after the majority of the snowpack has melted) for casual backpackers, though more hardcore hikers may choose to challenge themselves with substantial snowfall starting in October.
Is the JMT part of the PCT?
For most of its length, the John Muir Trail uses the Pacific Crest Trail
. There are three places where the JMT and PCT are different: Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows, Thousand Island Lake to Reds Meadow and Crab Tree Meadow to Mt. Whitney. For approximately 170 miles, the JMT travels the Pacific Crest Trail.
Are there grizzly bears on John Muir Trail?
First,
no grizzly’s in the area
. Second, be careful with your food and they will be more afraid of you than you are of them! A few things to remember and a few tips: if you leave your food out for bears they will become habituated to human food and seek it out.
Are there bears on the John Muir Trail?
The most likely areas are those where you will find the most people: Little Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell Canyon, near the Devils Postpile, and the Rae lakes area. That’s not to say that there are not bears all along the trail –
there are
!
How crowded is the John Muir Trail?
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 do I plan a JMT?
- Step 1: Decide if you will go solo or with a friend. …
- Step 2: Pick your dates and your starting trailhead. …
- Step 3: Apply for a permit. …
- Step 4: Gear up. …
- Step 5: Start Training. …
- Step 6: Map out a loose itinerary.
How much does it cost to hike the JMT?
Assuming you are hiking alone, live pretty close to the trail, have all the gear you need and want to eat pretty well; you can expect to shell out
at least $825
to hike the JMT.
What is the longest hiking trail in North America?
| Rank Hiking Trail Route Length | 1 American Discovery 6,800+ total; 5,057 miles (Southern Route alone); 4,834 miles(Northern Route alone) | 2 Great Western Loop 6,800 miles | 3 Eastern Continental 5,400 miles | 4 North Country 4,600 miles |
|---|
How much of the John Muir Trail is on the PCT?
The PCT was completed in 1993, 25 years after its designation as National Scenic Trail. The John Muir Trail covers 210.4 miles, from Happy Isles, in Yosemite Valley (elevation 4,000 ft.), to Mount Whitney (elevation 14,505 ft), and overlaps with the PCT for approximately
160 miles
.
How long does it take to thru-hike the John Muir Trail?
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 …
Does JMT include Mt. Whitney?
Regarded by many as the premier hiking trail in the country, the John Muir Trail (JMT)
runs along the backbone of California’s High Sierra between Yosemite National Park and the summit of Mount Whitney
.
Do you need a permit to hike the John Muir Trail?
No matter where you start your hike,
anyone who is hiking along the John Muir Trail is required to carry a wilderness permit
. You only need one permit for the entire trip and how you obtain your permit depends on which trailhead you will use to access the John Muir Trail.
Is the JMT considered a thru-hike?
Considered the most iconic thru-hike and backpacking trail in the US
, the John Muir Trail (also called the Nüümü Poyo Trail) is a 211-mile hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The California trail climbs Mt. Whitney, travels through Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, and passes by Half Dome.
Can you hike the John Muir Trail without a permit?
You’ll need a wilderness permit for the JMT
If you hope to reserve a permit, you should apply exactly 168 days in advance. See which trailheads are full. The official northern terminus of the JMT is at the Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley.
How much does a JMT permit cost?
Permits are required year-round for all the agencies involved. There is a nominal fee for the permit, generally
$5-10 per reservation plus $5 per person
. Some charge an additional $15 if you exit Mt.
Can you hike the JMT in winter?
The John Muir Trail is gorgeous in winter, but
hiking it can be dangerous once the temperature dips
. If you’re truly looking for solitude on the JMT, the time to come is winter, when snowfall and chilly temperatures — which often drop below freezing — deter many would-be hikers.
Are there Grizzlies on the PCT?
So, are there grizzly bears on the Pacific Crest Trail?
Yes, there are still technically grizzly bears (also known as brown bears) on the PCT
, your chances of coming across one are slim to none.
