Backpacking the John Muir Trail - Our Complete Story
Event Update: Thanks for joining us at the Mountaineers' Walking the Wild series where we presented our 18 day trek along the spectacular John Muir Trail!
Now, we're working on putting that story into words and photos. Check back on this page over the following winter months as we're filling out the chapters.
For those of you that don't know:
The John Muir Trail is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. - Wikipedia
Introduction
If you are reading this story and you've already hiked the John Muir Trail, then you know what it feels to experience a true wonder of the world that this trail is. I hope that, through our photos and our recount of this beautiful hike, we can take you back to remember some of the places we have seen and passed through together. For me, those moments on the trail rival my most cherished memories from childhood.
If you're reading and you're on the fence about hiking it, either wary or just undecided, know that I will make every attempt to get you on the trail. This trip is not something anyone should let slip through their fingers. It's an experience of a lifetime.
If you're one of the fellow backpackers who is already set on hiking it and just wants to learn more about it, I hope you will find our photos and story useful. We sure have a few tips for you regarding good camps, gear, and so on.
So, hop along for the next chapters and walk with us along the John Muir Trail in 18 days.
Chapters
Food and Food Storage
Gear
Transportation to and from the Trailheads
Weather, Wilderness Safety, Regulations, and Last Tips Before You Go
Happy Isles to Tuolumne Meadows, a Section We Missed on our Permit
Day 0: Tuolumne Meadows Camp
Day 1: Tuolumne Meadows to before Donohue Pass, via Lyell Canyon
Day 2: Donohue Pass to Thousand Island Lake, via Island Pass
Day 3: Thousand Island Lake to Garnet Lake to Rosalie Lake
Day 4: Rosalie Lake to Reds Meadow, via Devils Postpile
Day 5: Reds Meadow to Red Cones to Purple Lake
Day 6: Purple Lake to Virginia Lake to Silver Pass Lake, via Silver Pass
Day 7: Silver Pass Lake to Upper Bear Creek Meadow
Day 8: Upper Bear Creek Meadow to Marie Lake to Muir Trail Ranch, via Selden Pass
Day 9: A Zero-Mile Day at Muir Trail Ranch
Day 10: Muir Trail Ranch to Evolution Lake, via McLure Meadow
Day 11: Evolution Lake to Wanda Lake to Le Conte, via Muir Pass
Day 12: Le Conte Canyon to Palisade Lakes, via the Golden Staircase
Day 13: Upper Palisade Lake to Lake Marjorie, via Mather Pass
Day 14: Lake Marjorie to Rae Lakes, via Pinchot Pass and over the suspension bridge
Day 15: Rae Lakes to Vidette Meadow, via Glen Pass
Day 16: Vidette Meadow to Wallace Creek, via Forester Pass
Day 17: Wallace Creek to camp between Timberline and Guitar Lake
Day 18: Alpine start for Mount Whitney, descend to Whitney Portal and Lone Pine
In Retrospect: Best Camps of the John Muir Trail
In Retrospect: Stuff we could have done differently, and tips
Note: the chapters without a hyperlink are not finished yet. Hang with us as we add them over the upcoming months. Subscribe to our RSS feed or through e-mail to get notified when we add new ones (at the bottom of the page).
Photo Gallery: Along the John Muir Trail
In a hurry? Glimpse through our favorite 50 images form the trail.
Photo Gallery: Along the John Muir Trail, 50+ of our favorite photos