Famous 211-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail

John Muir Trail

Famous 211-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail

July to

September

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Miles
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Days

2d 19h 26m

FKT (S-to-N)

Hiking Guide

about the trek

What to Expect

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 2- to 3-week thru-hike in the Sierra Nevadas that is part of the longer Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It passes through some of America’s most beautiful national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia, and Mt. Whitney with no direct road crossings for long stretches of the trail, meaning you’ll truly be out in the wilderness. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be unsupported. There are water sources every 2 to 5 miles for the most part, and pack mules (yes, like donkeys) are available for resupply deliveries. The only downside to the JMT is the difficulty of obtaining a permit since it’s one of the most popular long-distance hikes in the country, if not the world.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

-John Muir

The JMT starts in Yosemite and officially ends at the summit of Mt. Whitney (14,500 ft). It’s the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states and a major undertaking in its own right. A tradition among JMT thru-hikers is rising early and experiencing sunrise from the summit, a memory you will cherish for a lifetime. Another, more relaxing, tradition is taking a dip in swimming holes along the journey. With its abundance of turquoise lakes, bubbling rivers, and even hot springs, the JMT offers plenty of opportunities to refresh at the end of each tough day.

Preparation

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