National Park Service

John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. This is a land of 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks, of lakes in the thousands, and of canyons and granite cliffs. The JMT is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world.

The 211-mile JMT is a world-famous trail stretching from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The trail overlaps 170 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Winding through the famed Sierra Nevada, the JMT visits some of the crown jewels of America’s park system: John Muir and Ansel Adams wildernesses, and Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. The JMT section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail will mark hikers forever.

Within the Yosemite boundaries, JMT hikers will walk past a plethora of photogenic scenes. Plan to camp at Little Yosemite Valley the first night. Tackle Half Dome the next day, where hikers should be prepared for very steep inclines on their trek up to one of the most noted spots in the park. The trail then continues past Trissider Peak, Cathedral Peak, and Columbia Finger. On the border of Yosemite and the John Muir and Ansel Adams wildernesses, hikers come across Donahue Pass at 11,056 feet, the trail’s highest point in the park.

Wilderness permits are required and quotas are in place to ensure that the experience and environment aren’t hampered by large crowds. If planning to hike the JMT as a continuous hike, only one wilderness permit from Yosemite is needed for the entire trip. Yosemite National Park only issues wilderness permits valid for exiting Yosemite via the John Muir Trail over Donohue Pass for up to 45 people per day. Of these, 20 are available for the Happy Isles to Past Little Yosemite Valley trailhead and 25 are available for permits using the Lyell Canyon trailhead. For those using the Happy Isles to Past LYV trailhead, please note that the first night's camp cannot be in LYV. If beginning the JMT outside Yosemite and ending in Yosemite, the wilderness permit will not be valid for hiking Half Dome.

Trip Advisor

Wikipedia

A 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about John Muir Trail

John Muir founded the Sierra Club, an American conservation organization, and his activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park, and other wilderness areas in the country.

52 Weeks of Fun

Not Just Destination Finders, But Destination Storytellers

John Muir Trail

A 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about John Muir Trail

Attraction Advice