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 …
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 difficult 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Are there bears on the John Muir Trail?
A: You don’t have to worry about bears! 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 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.
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.
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 do you need to hike the JMT?
If you dream of hiking the John Muir Trail, the number one thing you need is
a permit
. JMT permits are one of the most high demand California trail permits, and you have to enter a lottery in order to have a chance to get one.
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).
Where does the John Muir Trail start and stop?
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
.
When can you hike 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.
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.
Are JMT permits transferable?
Are Reservations And Permits Transferable?
No, once the forest has issued an advanced reservation for a wilderness permit to the leader of the party, it is valid only for that person or any of the listed alternate leaders
.
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.
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.
Where do you resupply on the John Muir Trail?
Located very near the trail,
Muir Trail Ranch
accepts resupply packages and has a very small gift shop. Rooms and meals are sometimes available at a package rate. Camping and hot springs are available nearby.
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 long does it take to hike the PCT?
The trail is 2,650 miles and it generally takes the entire snow-free season to walk. That’s
about 5 months
. Elite athletes who are experienced on the PCT have finished the trail in as little as two months. The few who achieve sub-100 day hikes average well over 30 miles per day.
