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.
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 should I budget for thru-hike?
How Much Does it Cost to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail?
$3,000
is the easy answer. This doesn’t include gear that you buy before the hike.
How long does it take to hike the John Muir Trail?
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 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 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.
How do I get a JMT walk up permit?
If you’re hiking the JMT starting at the southern terminus, you’ll need a permit from Inyo National Forest.
Whitney Portal permits for the JMT can be reserved via recreation.gov
. These permits are in extremely high demand and are issued using a lottery system.
What is the best time of year to hike the John Muir Trail?
Although it’s possible to hike the JMT as early as mid-June for those equipped for snow travel, the best time to hike is generally
late July through early October
. This is highly variable year-to-year and it really depends on the season’s snowfall.
Can you day hike the JMT without a permit?
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 people afford a thru-hike?
How do I get paid through hike?
- Start a Hiking/Travel Blog.
- Become a Park Ranger.
- Write a Book About Your Adventure.
- Lead Guided Hiking Trips.
- Become a Wildland Firefighter.
- Get Sponsored by a Gear Company.
- Start a YouTube Channel.
- Write for a Hiking Publication.
How can I save money on hike?
- Monthly Budget.
- Send Boxes!
- Eat Before you go Shopping for the Resupply.
- Avoid the Bar and Brewery.
- Hiker Boxes and Dollar Stores.
- Split a Hotel Room.
- Perfect the Art of the Nearo.
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
!
When should I start 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 John Muir Trail open?
Open Season:
Road closed in winter
. Restrictions: No campfires at all locations above 10,000 ft.; and no campfires at specific locations below 10,000ft.
Is the John Muir Trail part of 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.
Where does the John Muir Trail start?
| John Muir Trail | Length 211 mi (340 km) | Location California, United States | Trailheads Happy Isles trailhead, Yosemite Valley Summit of Mount Whitney | Use backpacking, hiking, trail running, trail riding, pack trains |
|---|
How long is the 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 should I start with John Muir?
- The Wild Muir: Twenty-two of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures (2008) …
- My First Summer in the Sierra Nevada (1911) …
- Our National Parks (1901) …
- The Yosemite (1912) …
- More About John Muir.
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 water do I need for a 10 mile hike?
Generally, the amount of water you should drink on a 10-mile hike is approximately
0.5 liters (17 ounces) or 2 cups of water for every hour of hiking with moderate temperature in typical terrain
. Depending on the terrain surface, weather, and the speed you walk, you may need to drink more than 2 liters (68 ounces).
How do I prepare for JMT?
Squats, lunges, core work, walking uphill, and cardio training
are great ways to prepare. Just find something you love and do a lot of it. There are several map packs and trail guide books available on the John Muir Trail. I’d recommend buying whichever you plan to bring on the trail and study them ahead of time.
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
.
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.
