Planning a thru-hike might be simply as daunting as really mountain climbing an extended distance path. Fortunately, each duties are finest tackled the identical approach: one step at a time. To assist you make your John Muir Trail desires come true, we’ve put collectively a step-by-step information to take you from daydreaming about mountain climbing the JMT to really doing it.
John Muir Trail Basics
The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile footpath that begins in Yosemite Valley and runs south alongside the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the highest of Mount Whitney, the best level within the decrease 48 states. Interestingly, the path’s namesake, John Muir, by no means really hiked the JMT; the path’s building started in 1915, the 12 months after his dying. It was constructed atop a community of historic footpaths laid down by the Paiute and different Indigenous folks for 1000’s of years known as Nüümü Poyo, or the People’s Paths.
California’s Sierra Nevada mountains are one of many world’s most lovely and rugged mountain ranges, made up of glittering granite that has been uplifted by plate tectonics and sculpted by glaciers. The JMT crosses a number of the Sierra’s highest and most distant terrain. For the vast majority of your journey, you’ll don’t have any cell service and also you’ll cross no roads. The path crosses a number of wilderness areas and three nationwide parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.
Join our group for entry to our free member assets!
Download our Handy Outdoor Packing Checklists and Trip Planning Guides
- Total distance: 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to the highest of Mount Whitney, plus 11 miles right down to the Whitney Portal trailhead
- Days wanted: 18-22
- Trailhead begin: Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park (Southbound), Horseshoe Meadow or Cottonwood Lakes/Pass (Northbound)
- Best time to hike: July – September, relying on snowpack
- Total elevation achieve/loss: 47,000 ft achieve/38,000 ft loss (Southbound)
- Permits: Required and really aggressive
- Difficulty: Strenuous and logistically difficult
- Dogs allowed: No
- Cell service: Rare
Best Time Of Year To Hike the JMT
The JMT is a excessive summer time path, and one of the best time to hike it’s usually mid-July via early September to keep away from prodigious snowfall and avalanches within the winter and harmful creek crossings within the spring. However, the JMT mountain climbing season is closely influenced by the winter snowfall within the Eastern Sierra.
In low snow years, it could be attainable to hike the JMT beginning in June and into mid-October. But early and late season hikers ought to have important snow journey expertise and be ready for sudden adjustments in climate.
In June, hikers might encounter snow on the excessive mountain passes, necessitating snow security gear like microspikes and an ice ax, in addition to sturdy navigational expertise when the path disappears underneath snow.
During the fleeting summer time months (July and August), mosquitoes and biting flies might be legion, due to the considerable water discovered alongside the path. Definitely convey a head internet, bug spray, and a tent with mosquito netting.
On excessive snow years, creek crossings might stay harmful all through the summer time. Trekking poles, sturdy mountain climbing boots, and a companion might help make crossings safer. In September and October, hikers might encounter snowstorms and frigid in a single day temperatures however will encounter fewer bugs.
How Long Does It Take To Hike The JMT?
With nonstop Ansel Adams-worthy views, plentiful swimming holes, and once-in-a-lifetime facet journeys round each nook, the JMT is an expertise finest savored. Under the load of a ~35-pound pack, with appreciable elevation achieve and loss, you’d be hard-pressed to hurry via this path anyway.
In common, backpackers can anticipate to cowl round 10 miles a day so most individuals will hike the JMT’s 211 miles in 18 to 22 days. Of course, it’s attainable to cowl the gap a lot sooner, however the higher query to ask is: how lengthy can I afford to spend on the JMT? If you’re going to undergo the difficulty of mountain climbing one of many world’s best mountain climbing trails, why not commit as a lot time as attainable to exploring the route?
When I hiked the JMT NOBO in 2020, I took 27 days to hike over 300 miles. The further miles got here from the quite a few facet journeys I took off the JMT hall to discover the numerous lake basins and summits that may solely be accessed from the JMT. When BFT Founder Kristen hiked the JMT again in 2014, she took 22 days and hiked roughly 240 miles.
JMT Trail Difficulty
Mile for mile, the John Muir Trail is among the most epic mountain climbing trails on Earth. But you’ll be incomes all these views with numerous sweat and perhaps just a few tears (hopefully no blood!). The path follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountains, not often dipping beneath 10,000 ft of elevation.
To cross this hovering mountain vary you’ll must climb. Over the course of 211 miles, you’ll achieve over 47,000 ft of elevation, together with climbs over eight main mountain passes: Donohue, Silver, Selden, Muir, Mather, Pinchot, Glen, and Forester, the best go, at 13,153 ft. In between the passes you’ll be traversing throughout spectacular lake basins the place you’re by no means removed from water and the place one of the best campsites are often discovered.
Altitude illness is an actual risk on the path, however you may assist mitigate its results by coaching in your hike, staying well-hydrated and nourished, and giving your physique time to regulate. By beginning in Yosemite and mountain climbing the path south you’ll have a number of weeks to work your approach as much as the path’s excessive level on high of Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft. This is the official finish of the path, however you’ll then must descend 11 miles, down 6,600 ft to Whitney Portal to finish your hike (making the grand complete 222 miles, not counting facet journeys).
The numbers might be intimidating however the actuality is the JMT is so spectacularly lovely, so nicely trodden, marked, and maintained, with plentiful water and campsites that really mountain climbing the path is a backpacker’s dream. With satisfactory planning, coaching, and preparation, you’ll be setting off for the best hike of your life.
Which Direction Should You Hike the JMT?
Traditionally, the JMT begins in Yosemite Valley, on the Happy Isles trailhead, and runs for 211 miles south to the grand finale on the summit of Mount Whitney.
The fundamental benefit of going Southbound, or SOBO, is that you just begin at a decrease elevation, which supplies your legs and lungs time to regulate to mountain climbing at altitude earlier than you sort out the best passes en path to Mount Whitney. Resupply logistics are additionally a bit simpler mountain climbing SOBO, as you’ll have the ability to mail resupply packing containers to Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch and take care of the trickier logistics of the extra distant southern portion of the path later in your journey. However, getting permits to go SOBO might be troublesome. In truth, Yosemite wilderness permits are a number of the most sought-after permits within the National Park system.
Around 20% of JMT thru-hikers elect to hike Northbound, or NOBO. However, getting a allow to start out from Whitney Portal can also be troublesome, as you’re competing towards individuals who need to hike Mount Whitney, the best mountain within the decrease 48. And you’ll need to sort out an enormous 6,600 foot climb up Whitney at the beginning of your hike, in addition to a number of the highest passes within the first week.
Resupply choices are additionally few and much between within the southern third of the path, often requiring important facet journeys. You’ll have to determine your resupply plan between Muir Trail Ranch and Mount Whitney whether or not you’re mountain climbing NOBO or SOBO however it could possibly really feel simpler to sort out this in the direction of the tip of your hike somewhat than at the start.
How To Get John Muir Trail Permits
Before you do the rest, you’ll must surmount the only hardest impediment in planning a JMT thru-hike: getting a allow. I received’t sugarcoat it: JMT permits are akin to Golden Tickets. According to the National Park Service, 97% of JMT allow purposes are denied, however there are just a few suggestions and methods that may assist enhance your possibilities of getting a allow.
On a thru-hike of the JMT, you’ll go via three National Parks and several other totally different wilderness areas and National Forests. Fortunately, you solely want one allow, which can cowl your total hike. It’s not really a JMT allow; somewhat it’s primarily based in your beginning trailhead. So should you begin your hike in Yosemite, you want a allow from Yosemite National Park. If you begin in Inyo National Forest, you want a allow from Inyo National Forest.
When making use of for a SOBO allow from Yosemite National Park, there are two fundamental trailheads: Happy Isles and Lyell Canyon. When you apply for both of those permits, you’ll additionally want to pick “Donohue Pass Eligible” so as to exit Yosemite National Park over Donohue Pass to proceed south on the JMT. Yosemite National Park solely points 45 wilderness permits for Donohue Pass per day. Of these, 20 can be found for the Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible) trailhead and 25 can be found for permits utilizing the Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible) trailhead.
By far essentially the most coveted permits are these issued by Yosemite National Park to start out on the Happy Isles trailhead, in addition to these issued by Inyo National Forest to start out on the Whitney Portal trailhead. But whereas these are the standard beginning factors for SOBO and NOBO hikes, respectively, they aren’t the one choices.
On my 2020 NOBO trek, I began from the Horseshoe Meadow trailhead, 28 path miles south of Mount Whitney, to keep away from the competitors at Whitney Portal.
For allow deadlines and extra info on find out how to apply, take a look at our put up on How To Apply for a Southbound JMT allow.
As annoying and discouraging as permits and trailhead quotas might be, they’re vital to guard the path and the standard of the wilderness expertise. If everyone who wished to hike the JMT in July and August had been allowed to go, the mountains could be overrun with folks, and the paths, campsites, and water sources could be shortly degraded.
Do NOT be tempted to hike and not using a allow! The JMT crosses lots of of miles of distant wilderness, nevertheless it’s actively patrolled by backcountry park rangers. I had my Inyo National Forest allow checked thrice, as soon as in Kings Canyon National Park and twice in Yosemite. I additionally met a bunch of 4 younger hikers from Seattle who had been ending their JMT hike early as a result of they didn’t have a allow and acquired caught by a ranger and had been dealing with steep fines in the event that they continued. Flaunting allow guidelines may also get you banned from future allow lotteries.
How To Get To the JMT
Whether you hike the JMT SOBO or NOBO, you’ll be ending your hike lots of of miles out of your place to begin. There are just a few methods to get to and from the beginning and ending trailheads of your hike, relying on whether or not you will have your personal automobile or can be counting on rides or on public transportation.
If you will have your personal automobile, it’s finest to park it at your ending trailhead and get a trip or take public transportation to the beginning of the hike. That approach you may finish triumphantly at your automobile and drive your self to a victory meal and a scorching bathe. Most of the trailheads within the Sierra permit for long-term parking however examine with the native ranger station and allow them to know your dates of journey.
If you propose on taking public transportation at the beginning or end of your hike, understand that the choices are usually simpler in Yosemite, which is serviced by YARTS: Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System. Scenic Highway 395, which runs alongside the japanese facet of the Sierra, is serviced by Eastern Sierra Transit buses and the small cities alongside 395 are usually very adept at catering to hikers, with a number of non-public shuttle firms choices primarily based in Mammoth, Bishop, Independence, and Lone Pine.
Hitchhiking from the varied trailheads into city can also be widespread apply and you may often get a trip with a fellow hiker or day tripper in alternate for tales of your epic journey (and perhaps a couple of dollars for gasoline). Not everyone is snug with this selection, however should you belief your intestine, hitchhiking could be a enjoyable a part of your mountain climbing journey.
For extra data on which cities to fly into, a breakdown of the varied public transportation choices, in addition to route and phone data for bus and shuttle firms, take a look at our put up on John Muir Trail Transportation Guide and Planning Tips.
Planning Your JMT Itinerary
When you apply in your JMT allow, you will want to know your beginning date, ending date, and the place you propose to spend your first evening on the JMT. Once you will have your allow, it’s tempting to need to plan out the place you’ll spend each evening in between, nevertheless it’s additionally vital to remain versatile. Once you’re on path, a mess of things (climate, altitude achieve, accessible campsites, fellow hikers) will have an effect on what number of miles you cowl every day.
On common, most individuals will hike round 10 to fifteen miles a day. The JMT is blessed with plentiful campsites and considerable water sources, so don’t stress an excessive amount of about discovering a campsite every evening. Even if the tent websites close by of the path are all taken, you’re more likely to discover many extra inside a half mile of the path.
Always comply with Leave No Trace rules and choose established campsites on sturdy surfaces. Never set your tent up on high of fragile vegetation – particularly within the alpine zone – and don’t camp inside 200 ft of water sources.
Hiking the JMT includes gaining and shedding appreciable elevation up and over quite a few high-altitude passes. The finest technique for tackling these passes is to camp close to the bottom the evening earlier than so you may hike the go very first thing within the morning when your legs are recent and the climate is essentially the most secure. Camping at or close to the highest of passes isn’t often a terrific thought because of excessive winds, unpredictable climate, and frigid nighttime temperatures at altitude.
You’ll additionally must plan out the place you’ll choose up your resupply packing containers alongside the best way, which we’ll cowl beneath.
If you’re interested by what a pattern JMT itinerary seems like, take a look at Kristen’s 3 Week John Muir Trail Itinerary, the place she highlights one of the best viewpoints, campsites, swimming holes, and extra throughout her 22-day hike.
What To Eat on the John Muir Trail
On the JMT, you’ll spend round three weeks on path, removed from eating places and grocery shops so you will want to pack or mail your self all of your meals for 20-plus days of strenuous mountain climbing. You will probably be ravenously hungry in your hike, however in fact, you may’t convey infinite meals, as you will want to hold it in your again and match it into an authorized bear canister every evening to maintain critters out of your valuable meals stash.
For every day on the JMT, you’ll need to convey breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus numerous snacks! There’s numerous info on-line concerning the staggering quantity of energy burned whereas backpacking (over 500 energy an hour!), however until you’re actually into calorie counting in your every day life, it’s not essential to get too slowed down by numbers when planning a backpacking journey. As a straightforward rule of thumb, purpose to convey round 2 to 2.5 kilos of meals per individual per day which needs to be round 3,000 to 4,000 energy per day.
When looking for the JMT, search out calorically dense meals that may be repackaged neatly into ziplock baggage. You need the best amount of energy and vitamins within the smallest and lightest bundle to maximise the worth of every meals merchandise. Don’t purchase something low calorie or low fats.
Also bear in mind, you’ll have to carry your trash for not less than every week so that you don’t need meals which might be messy or smelly.
Store-bought dehydrated meals have gotten more and more higher when it comes to each style and high quality substances with a number of firms making natural meals that cater to an array of dietary restrictions. In the curiosity of saving house in your bear canister and slicing down on trash, you’ll must repackage these meals into ziplocks. It’s cleaner and extra environment friendly to reheat dehydrated meals in an insulated pot with an insulating cozy than within the foil baggage.
Pro Tip: divide store-bought meals into a number of servings and add further dehydrated veggies (these might be purchased in bulk), a protein similar to a tuna packet or salami, and an prompt grain like couscous or rice to make an satisfactory portion. One of the best methods so as to add further energy is to convey a plastic container of olive oil and add a tablespoon or two to every meal.
For extra suggestions and recipes go to our John Muir Trail Food Shopping List and Best Lightweight Vegan Backpacking Meals.
How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail
One of the largest logistical challenges of the JMT is determining find out how to resupply your meals alongside the best way. You’ll spend a lot of the path’s 200-plus miles immersed in wilderness, removed from grocery shops and eating places so that you’ll must mail your self a number of resupply packages alongside the best way. The most typical resupply spots on the JMT (listed SOBO) are:
- Red’s Meadow (mile 60.8)
- Vermillion Valley Report (mile 88.1 plus 12 mile facet journey off JMT or ferry boat trip)
- Muir Trail Ranch (mile 106.1)
- Bishop Pass trailhead/ Bishop (mile 136.2 plus 23.6 mile spherical journey facet journey off JMT)
- Onion Valley trailhead/ Independence (mile 180.3 plus 15 mile facet journey off JMT)
Most JMT hikers will reap the benefits of the Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch reservices, as they’re each situated a brief distance from the JMT. Both of those require mailing a few week’s value of meals in a field or 5-gallon bucket, not less than two weeks earlier than you start your hike. Both Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch have very particular directions for find out how to pack and mail your resupply on their respective web sites and extra data might be present in our weblog put up How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail.
You will probably additionally want to rearrange a 3rd resupply within the southern portion of the path, as there are 117 miles of path to hike between MTR and Whitney Portal. At a median backpacking tempo of 10 miles a day, this part will take not less than 11 days. Some folks can hike quick sufficient and stretch their meals provide to keep away from this third resupply however this isn’t beneficial as you positively don’t need to really feel rushed or low on energy in the direction of the tip of your hike.
The higher plan is to rearrange for a meals drop at Onion Valley trailhead or one of many different facet trails that department off the JMT. The draw back is that these will all require important facet journeys. For instance, Onion Valley is a 15-mile spherical journey detour, nevertheless it’s additionally spectacularly lovely with many wonderful tenting choices alongside the best way. There are additionally just a few backcountry outfitters who will meet you on the JMT along with your resupply, carried in model by pack mule. These choices are usually costly however might be made extra cheap by splitting the service with a number of different hikers.
For heaps extra suggestions, methods, and data about strategizing, packing, and mailing your resupplies to the varied resupply factors on the JMT, learn How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail and John Muir Trail Food Shopping List.
Bears & Food Storage
For many hikers, the potential of encountering bears is among the scariest elements of planning a JMT hike. But the truth is that with so many different folks on path, you’ll be fortunate to identify a bear in its pure habitat. In common, bears and different wildlife choose to keep away from shut contact with people and the JMT is a veritable superhighway via the wilderness.
However, annually just a few intelligent Sierra bears be taught to affiliate folks and campsites with meals, often when individuals are careless about leaving meals unattended or unsecured in camps or vehicles. This might be very harmful, particularly for the bears. A fed bear is commonly tragically a lifeless bear.
To hold bears away from human meals, all hikers on the John Muir Trail are required to hold an authorized bear canister. These sturdy plastic or metallic containers are the one confirmed technique to hold bears from accessing meals within the High Sierra, the place bears are adept climbers and tall bushes are uncommon.
You should buy your bear canister or lease one from ranger stations for a small charge. Ursacks and Opsacks will not be acceptable alternate options on the JMT. Backcountry rangers will examine that you’ve got a canister after they examine your allow.
While mountain climbing, you may hold snacks accessible in pockets of your backpack however in camp, all meals, trash, and scented objects want to suit inside your canister, together with toiletries like toothpaste and lotions. Keep a clear camp! Don’t depart meals or scented objects out should you’re not within the act of consuming them. At evening, the locked canister needs to be positioned not less than 50 ft out of your tent, in a location the place it’s not simply kicked off a cliff or right into a creek. Bear canisters are designed to be too cumbersome for bears to select up or carry away however they are going to typically roll the canister round a bit.
If you do see a bear on path, hold calm, communicate to the bear to allow them to establish you as human and provides them as a lot house as attainable. Never method or comply with a bear or make it really feel cornered. If a bear comes into your camp, chase it away by yelling and banging your pot! Get mad. Scold it prefer it’s a nasty canine. Don’t let it assume it’s welcome to discover your camp. If the bear doesn’t depart, or even when it does, think about shifting to a different location or teaming up with fellow campers. Black bears will not be usually a risk to folks, and are often dissuaded by a number of folks all yelling on the bear to go away.
What To Pack on the John Muir Trail
When it involves packing for backpacking, much less is extra: the much less weight you convey, the extra you’ll get pleasure from your journey. There’s nothing worse than struggling underneath the burden of a too heavy backpack, particularly on a multi week hike just like the JMT.
Before my JMT thru-hike, my mountain climbing companion and I sat down with all of our gear and a kitchen scale, weighed out the whole lot, and entered all of it right into a spreadsheet. Seeing the numbers damaged down by merchandise actually helped shave off just a few kilos. I traded out my trusty (however heavy) Osprey pack for a a lot lighter Granite Gear Blaze 60 pack, lightening my load by almost 2 kilos.
That won’t sound like a lot, however whenever you’re carrying weight for over 300 miles, each ounce counts! By the time I hit the path, I had whittled my base weight right down to 22 kilos, not together with meals and water. So even absolutely stocked with 8 days of meals, my longest meals carry between resupplies, my pack nonetheless weighed underneath 40 kilos.
If you may afford to put money into some new gear, do your analysis and be very selective about what you purchase. Gear expertise and improvements have actually accelerated in the previous few years and there are many light-weight choices for backpacking tents, sleeping baggage, stoves, and clothes.
Everybody has their private preferences relating to sleep methods, cooking methods and clothes methods. Unfortunately, the lightest gear is commonly costly and never as sturdy as you would possibly hope. For intensive use, similar to on the JMT, it typically is smart to select a barely extra rugged possibility so it’ll survive your journey and hopefully just a few extra!
The finest recommendation is to check your gear and actually get to realize it earlier than you set off in your JMT journey. Plan to take not less than one in a single day shakedown hike forward of your journey. If attainable, take a number of shakedown journeys! Ideally, over a number of nights! Keep notes about what you utilize and what you don’t use. You might be able to drop just a few pointless objects forward of your JMT journey. Remember much less is extra and each ounce counts!
For Kristen’s detailed packing and equipment listing, go to our Complete John Muir Trail Gear List and browse Ultralight Backpacking Tips for recommendation on find out how to shed weight.
Where to Camp on the John Muir Trail
Hiking all 211 miles of John Muir Trail takes round 20 days, which suggests you’ll additionally get to spend round 20 nights sleeping underneath the celebrities. Campsites alongside the JMT are usually wonderful and plentiful so don’t stress an excessive amount of about discovering a spot to sleep every evening. Of course, some choices are extra spectacular than others so we’ve collected our favourite campsites into one put up: 15 Best John Muir Trail Campsites.
So what makes a terrific campsite?
First, it needs to be a beforehand established tent website that’s greater than 100ft away from any water supply. We’ll talk about extra about Leave No Trace on the JMT within the following part.
Second, it needs to be flat. There’s nothing extra annoying than rolling downhill all evening.
Third, it needs to be quiet. With so many campsites in a lot wilderness, you shouldn’t need to hearken to anyone loud night breathing of their tent just a few yards away.
Fourth, it needs to be close to water. On the JMT, this requirement is often simple. The path crosses numerous lake basins and also you’ll not often be removed from water for greater than a mile or two. Even if there’s not a lake or creek proper by your campsite, you’ll probably have the ability to replenish within the late afternoon earlier than you strike camp. Just you’ll want to comply with LNT rules and set your tent up not less than 100ft away from water sources.
Beyond the fundamental necessities, one of the best campsites are those that afford spectacular views of sunsets, moonrises, the Milky Way, sunrises, or the entire above. But whereas all of us love a wide-open vista, understand that if it’s stormy, you’ll need some safety from the wind and lightning. The solely factor worse than a tilted tent is having to hearken to your tent flapping round you all evening. Exponentially worse is worrying about your tent being struck by lightning! If storms are threatening, search a low spot in your tent, maybe within the bushes, however all the time examine for lifeless branches and particles that may fall onto your tent in a storm.
When in search of a campsite, understand that when you can typically spot tent websites alongside the path, you won’t have a lot privateness right here as different hikers can be strolling proper by your tent. But should you discover a bit off the path, you’ll you’ll want to discover many extra website choices a brief distance away that can be a lot quieter. When exploring away from the path, you’ll want to hold your bearings so you could find your approach again!
With so many website choices on the JMT, there’s no must create new tent websites. See our subsequent part on Leave No Trace for tips on find out how to benefit from the wilderness with out marring the expertise for others.
How To Leave No Trace on the John Muir Trail
You know that previous saying, “take only photos, leave only footprints”? Well if in any respect attainable, keep away from even leaving footprints! Ideally, after you’ve hiked the John Muir Trail, there needs to be no signal that you just had been ever there. That’s the ethos inspired by the seven core rules of Leave No Trace out of doors ethics:
- Plan forward and put together
- Camp on arduous and sturdy surfaces
- Dispose of waste correctly
- Leave what you discover
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be thoughtful of different guests
With so many individuals having fun with the Sierra’s pristine wilderness and untouched landscapes on the John Muir Trail, it’s vital that everyone do their half to protect this wilderness for future guests. The JMT passes via excessive alpine environments, that are extremely rugged but additionally extremely delicate. Just a few LNT methods to bear in mind when mountain climbing the JMT:
- Always set your tent up on an current tent website. There are many established campsites on the JMT – you shouldn’t create new websites or set your tent up on vegetation.
- Always camp not less than 200 ft from water. Creeksides and lakeshores are simply eroded and infrequently vegetated and it’s possible you’ll be blocking wildlife’s entry to water sources.
- Scatter dishwater. Also, don’t dump meals waste or meals particles in creeks or lakes.
- Never use cleaning soap in creeks. You shouldn’t want cleaning soap in your hike, save the burden and depart it at house. A fingernail brush can do wonders for soiled palms, ft and decrease legs, no cleaning soap wanted.
- If you need to swim within the many alpine lakes on the JMT, keep away from slathering on sunscreen or lotion earlier than you leap in.
- Pack out all rubbish, together with rest room paper. Do not burn or bury something. Used rest room paper might be bagged in canine waste baggage (convey a roll, they’re gentle and sturdy) after which double bagged in a ziplock bag. On Mount Whitney hikers are required to make use of wag baggage for strong waste. You can choose up a wag bag on the Crabtree Meadows Ranger Station earlier than you start your climb up Whitney.
- On the remainder of the JMT, pee not less than 100 ft away from water sources, and step nicely away from the path and campsites. To poop, stroll not less than 100 ft away from water sources, the path and campsites, dig a gap 6 to eight inches deep (carry a light-weight trowel for digging, sticks will not be enough instruments), and bury your waste, taking care to go away the floor unmarked as a lot as attainable. Pack out all rest room paper.
- Do not construct rock cairns or depart path markers.
- Do not cache meals anyplace on path (this isn’t an applicable technique to resupply).
- All JMT hikers are required to hold and use an authorized bear canister.
- Keep a clear camp. Store all meals and scented objects in your bear canister until actively consuming. Mice, skunks, and bears are all interested in human meals smells.
- Fires are solely allowed in just a few areas on the JMT however think about going fire-free in your trek to preserve restricted wooden assets and cut back the potential for forest fires. California is a tinder field!
Remember that Leave No Trace shouldn’t be black and white however about making the absolute best determination to attenuate our affect within the particular setting and circumstances that we’re in. Not a set of do’s and don’ts, however a set of tips to assist us depart the locations we go to pretty much as good and even higher than we discovered them.
Additional JMT Resources, Maps, & Guidebooks
The John Muir Trail is a legendary route that has ferried folks via the rugged coronary heart of the Sierra for 1000’s of years (initially because the Nüümü Poyo). Much has been written concerning the JMT and the Sierra by many poets and adventurers from Muir himself into the fashionable day.
For a complete studying listing of all issues JMT, take a look at our put up on the Best John Muir Trail Maps, Books, Apps and Resources, from Muir’s basic Wilderness Essays to Elizabeth Wenk’s John Muir Trail Guidebook to one of the best paper maps and apps to assist plot and monitor your route.
What else do you need to learn about mountain climbing the John Muir Trail? Do you will have any further John Muir Trail planning suggestions or recommendation? Let us know in the feedback beneath!
Related
