1. Backpack. Every good backpacking trip starts with, well, a hiking backpack, and a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail is no exception. Backpacks for JMT thru-hikes should have a
50 to 70L carrying capacity
and should ideally weigh less than 3lbs (1.4kg).
How hard is the John Muir Trail?
The main difficulty of the JMT is the terrain and length of the trail
. Over the course of your trip you’ll ascend and descend 11 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 long does it take to backpack 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 ...
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 cold does it get on the JMT?
Daily highs were around 65-75F, and the lows were
15-30F
. June and September have similar temperature ranges, while July and August are typically 10-15 degrees warmer. Because July and August are the peak JMT months, my gear recommendations are tailored to that temperature range.
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 many days does it take to hike the JMT?
The John Muir Trail is roughly 211 mile long (if you’re following the true JMT trail the whole way). And people typically hike this from anywhere between
10 days (speed freaks) to 30 days (leisurely)
.
How do I plan a JMT?
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Step 1: Decide if you will go solo or with a friend. ...
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Step 2: Pick your dates and your starting trailhead. ...
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Step 3: Apply for a permit. ...
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Step 4: Gear up. ...
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Step 5: Start Training. ...
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Step 6: Map out a loose itinerary.
Where should I start with John Muir?
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The Wild Muir: Twenty-two of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures (2008) ...
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My First Summer in the Sierra Nevada (1911) ...
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Our National Parks (1901) ...
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The Yosemite (1912) ...
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More About John Muir.
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.
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
.
Is the John Muir Trail Safe?
While the majority of it melts in the spring time, just enough sticks around to cause annoying, and
sometimes dangerous hiking conditions
. Due to its topography, Muir Pass saw us trudging through six straight miles of snow. In other areas, snow can create snow chutes that can prove dangerous if not properly navigated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
|
When can you 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.
