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.
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.
Can you day hike John Muir Trail?
3 Best Day Hikes on the John Muir Trail. The John Muir Trail runs 211 miles north/south along the high Sierra Nevada peaks. In Yosemite National Park, the trail stretches from Tuolumne meadows in the north to Yosemite Valley in the south.
You could hike from one end to the other or break it up into smaller day hikes
.
How hard is it to hike the JMT?
Get to know this 210.1-mile point-to-point trail near Yosemite Valley, California.
Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 101 h 48 min to complete
. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
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.
How hard is it to get a JMT permit?
Over the years this trail has gotten more and more popular which means that
getting a JMT permit is getting harder
, and the lottery system is super competitive. John Muir Trail permits are so popular that according to the National Park Service, 97% of JMT permit applications get denied.
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.
Do you need a permit for 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.
How do you prepare for the John Muir Trail?
- 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.
Can you section hike the JMT?
The JMT can be done in segments or as a thru-hike
, many opting for the latter. Pre-planning is critical to a successful JMT thru-hike, and advance permits are required. Most hikers take around three weeks to complete the journey following the trail southbound (SOBO) from Yosemite Valley.
What is the best part of the John Muir Trail?
- Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows (~20 miles) …
- Tuolumne Meadows to Devils Postpile (~34 miles) …
- Purple Lake to Big Pete’s Meadow (~84 miles) …
- Big Pete’s Meadow to Kearsarge Pass (~65 miles) …
- Kearsarge to Whitney Portal (~49 miles)
What is the best section of the JMT?
Of the trails I have hiked in the US, it’s hard to beat
Rae Lakes loop
. This is a 41.4-mile short section hike of what I considered to be the most beautiful part of the John Muir Trail.
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.
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.
When should I start the John Muir Trail?
What’s the best time of year to hike the JMT? Generally the trail is accessible from
July through September
. It varies from year to year, depending on the previous winter’s snowfall. It’s also a matter of risk tolerance, skill and the specific conditions of that season.
Does the JMT overlap the PCT?
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
. The JMT was completed in 1938, though construction started in 1915 (and scouting began in the late 1800s).
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 with a PCT permit?
If you have a PCT long-distance permit,
you don’t need an additional permit to hike on the portion of the John Muir Trail that’s also the PCT
. If you’re wanting to camp on the JMT between Crabtree Meadows and the summit of Mount Whitney, you’ll need an additional permit from Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.
Are there rattlesnakes on the John Muir Trail?
Deer are accustomed to hikers along the trail.
Rattlesnakes are rarely seen along the busy JMT
, but hikers should always be wary.
How long is the John Muir Trail in Yosemite?
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.
How do I get a northbound JMT permit?
- Choose your route.
- Northbound (NOBO)
- Southbound (SOBO)
- Choose your starting trail head and first night’s campsite.
- If hiking southbound.
- If hiking northbound.
- Estimate how long it will take.
- Choose your start date.
Where does the John Muir Trail start and end?
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
.
How long is the Vermont Long trail?
Enjoy this
272.0-mile
point-to-point trail near Bennington, Vermont. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 135 h 32 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
