Trail to Summit

John Muir Trail

John Muir Trail Map

The 211 mile John Muir Trail passes through the crown jewels of America's park system: Yosemite National Park, John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Sequoia National Park. Hikers either start Southbound in Yosemite, often vying for a John Muir Trail Permit from Happy Isles, or starting at the southern end, where they will climb to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 before they officially start their journey on the John Muir Trail.

Allison's 15 day thru hike through the High Sierra involved monsoonal rains and a little bad luck, but grit and a lightweight pack helped her hike through the rain and experience the joy of the single push.

John Muir Trail Journal:

Day 1: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley 4.6 miles Day 2: Little Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Backpacker Camp 18.4 miles Day 3: Tuolumne to 1 mile past Thousand Island Lake 21.3 miles   Day 4: ~Thousand Island Lake to Upper Crater Meadow 20.7 miles Day 5: Upper Crater Meadow to Squaw Lake 17 miles Day 6: Squaw Lake to Bear Creek 16.2 miles Day 7: Bear Creek to Blayney Hot Springs 11 miles Day 8: Blayney Hot Springs to Evolution Meadow 11 miles Day 9: Evolution Meadow to Unknown Pond 14 miles Day 10: Unknown Pond to Glacier Creek 13.3 miles Day 11: Glacier Creek to J Bench Lake 14.3 miles Day 12: J Bench Lake to Arrowhead Lake 14.6 miles Day 13: Arrowhead Lake to ~Mile 192 19.2 miles Day 14: Mile 192 to Guitar Lake 13.8 miles Day 15: Guitar Lake to Whitney Portal 13.8 miles

mountain pass


Trail Prep and Other Information:

My first JMT post:  Starting Somewhere

My sister (not a hiker) trying to open my new bear canister: some good laughs here!

Gossamer Gear Mariposa: My pack for the JMT

Mile...Mile and a Half documentary review

Photo courtesy of The Muir Project

Update 1: Got my permit! 

Intoduction to Lightweight Backpacking

15 Day Itinerary for the JMT

day3

John Muir Trail: An Overview

DIY Dehydrated Meals: Vegetarian Chili

Pre JMT Hike FAQs 

Going Stoveless: No Cook Food Spreadsheet

The Big Three: Sleeping System, Pack, and Shelter Under 5 Pounds!

Full Gear List

My Gear List on Gossamergear.com

A Look Back At What I Brought

The ULTIMATE JMT Preparation Guide