The ultimate john muir trail preparation guide trail to summit. History of the john muir trail american mule museum. The john muir bike trails are singletrack, mountain bike trails that are rough, natural surface trails. The john muir trail is the premier hiking trail in the united states. From the northern terminus at happy isles in yosemite valley and the southern terminus located on the summit of mount whitney, the trail s length is 2. The john muir trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the united states. The john muir trail is a rugged 211 miles extending from happy isles in yosemite valley to the top of mt. Wildlife, hitchhiking, permits for the five trailheads, navigation with guidebooks and apps, water and food supply, trail towns, elevation sickness, and more. We hiked north to south and were refreshed with three resupplies. Elizabeth wenks authoritative guide describes the 212mile john muir trail, running from yosemite valley to the summit of mt.
The map displayed here is an overview of the john muir trail from yosemite valley to mt. Your path, across what many describe as the gentle wilderness, begins in the heart of yosemite national park and travels through the ansel adams wilderness, the john muir wilderness, kings canyon national park and sequoia national park. How to thruhike the john muir trail interactive map for. Theyre waterproof, compact, and provide important information on mileage. Guide to the john muir trail book by thomas winnett. Nov 04, 2016 the john muir trail is 211 miles from yosemite valley to mt. Jun, 2019 a number of online groups and forums exist, including the john muir trail yahoo group, the john muir trail facebook group, and the ladies of the jmt facebook group. I want to spend more time getting to know the sierra. A 16 week training guide to help you prepare for the john. See below for a john muir trail map featuring some classic routes along the trail. Includes jmt guidebooks, memoirs, essays, and history of the sierra. The mileage data on that spreadsheet is much more accurate, and by using it ill be able to better plan my daily exertions. Once youre feeling prepared, pick it up, sit back and take a moment to immerse yourself in muir s words to prepare yourself to see the land through the eyes of one of its first protectors. The original guide is starrs guide to the john muir trail and the high sierra region, written by walter starr jr.
While the trail is 220 miles, we ended up hiking about 240. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the 48 contiguous us states. Learning about the trail from other hikers is so helpful. A life goal i have is to hike the entire 218 miles of the john muir trail, most likely in segments. The essential guide to hiking americas most famous trail by elizabeth wenk. This group, established in 1999, is informative, supportive and wellmoderated, offering a discussion forum for absolutely any question you might have about hiking the john muir trail, from what food to take to locations of cell signals. The john muir trail is a longdistance hiking trail in the high sierra backcountry, named after famed naturalist, author and sierra club founder john muir. Following this itinerary, our average daily mileage. I picked this book up at the suggestion of my backpacking partner several months before we embarked on our john muir trail journey. Ill need to make my miles each day, but i also want to stop and enjoy my surroundings. There are several guide books available we used john muir trail. And so the next year we went for 4 days and 19 miles.
The twocolor topo maps, including both the trail and surrounding ridges, are scaled and framed with a jmt hiker in mind. The alain and may white nature trails in sunny brook state park link to the john muir trail in paugnut state forest, and the walcott trail in burr pond state park. Although i have completed more section hikes of the john muir trail than i can count, ive only thruhiked it once. Jun 30, 2004 the john muir trail jmt is one of the worlds most spectacular treks and is north americas best known middistance walking trail. Books by john muir from the writings of john muir john. My suggested jmt training program is much like a marathon training program, with shorter weekday exercises anchored by big days on the weekend. As one of the better known, spectacular and therefore busy mountain trails, the john muir trail runs for 211 miles 340 km into the sierra nevada mountain range of california, from yosemite valley to mount whitney. Declared one of the top five hiking trails on the planet by national geographic adventure magazine, the john muir trail runs a spectacular 211 miles from yosemite valley to the foot of mount whitney. Running from mount whitney to yosemite valley in the sierra nevada.
As mtr is the first ontrail resupply point, many nobo hikers opt to camp at locations with bear boxes the first few nights until all of their food fits in their bear can. By hiking, crosscountry skiing, or snowshoeing over 3mile partially planked auke ne trail through muskeg, with 150foot elevation gain. A thousandmile walk to the gulf, by john muir 1916. I took a full 6 months to fully train my body for the john muir trail, but for most, a 16 week training program should be sufficient. So you want to hike the john muir trail the muir project. A brief introductory section provides planning data, including information on permits, trailhead transport, and. On the legendary john muir trail you pass through a land of and 14,000foot peaks, deep canyons, massive granite walls, and sparkling lakes. I mapped out a 5year plan to add days and mileage each year, culminating in doing the jmt in 2014. Complete with an interactive map pdf download and a sectional breakdown length, elevation, highlights. Meyer leissner, came up with the idea of naming this same proposed north to south high trail after muir, calling it the john muir trail. The book includes gps coordinates, not only for every junction, but also for.
The jmt is named after naturalist john muir, founding member and original president of the sierra club. John muir trail atlas is the lightest, most compact, highly detailed, easytouse guidebook available for the john muir trail. Elizabeth wenks enthusiasm for the geology, flora and fauna of the region is contagious. In 1914, john muir, who was president of the sierra club, died unexpectedly. Our route starts at cottonwood meadows to the south and winds north over two hundred miles to yosemite valley.
The essential guide to hiking americas most famous trail wenk. The essential guide to hiking americas most famous trail this incredibly detailed, turnbyturn guidebook is a musthave for anyone hiking the jmt. Postholer forum source for trail and site information or just talk about your favorite trail. John muir trail itinerary planning and resources trail to peak. Directions to the john muir trailhead at childers creek from cleveland, take u. Whitney on day 3 and gives them some time to acclimate. Here are a few of the resources that we found helpful. Buy a cheap copy of guide to the john muir trail book by thomas winnett. Unfortunately for lorraine, things have not gone well in the months leading up to this amazing adventure. A complete guide to hiking the john muir trail cleverhiker. John muir trail data book, distances, elevation profiles, climate, resupply and more.
Aug 01, 20 august 2012 was the first 57 miles, devils postpile to yosemite valley. The trip itself can be completed in roughly two to four weeks or as little as a few days for elite athletes like ralph burgess or much longer, depending on age, fitness and personal. John muir trail resupply and meal planning is one of the most difficult parts about getting ready for your thruhike. Gold medal winner 2009 best western region nonfiction independent book publishers awards. For 211 miles, the trail follows the sierra nevada mountain. John muir trail a stateoftheart guide for the hike of a lifetime stretching 220 miles from yosemite valley to mount whitney and onward to whitney portal, californias famed john muir trail trail passes through some of the most dramatic scenery in the countrymassive granite peaks, dizzying waterfalls, pristine alpine lakes, and vibrant meadows filled with sierra. Overview map shows the entire john muir trail route from yosemite valley to mount whitney and important features of the surrounding area, including. Together this system of interconnected trails meanders for 11. Pdf download the john muir trail free unquote books.
Youll note that the first day is a helluva hike, but a big part of the elevation gain comes without carrying a pack. The trail starts in americas treasure, yosemite national park, and continues 215 miles through the ansel adams wilderness, sequoia national park, kings canyon national park, and ends at the highest peak in continental united states, mount whitney at 14,496 ft. They all show the trail, water sources, and other helpful information. Wall maps print out your favorite trail to 6 feet high. Bgranola, cherries l tuna salad relish, olives, mayo, mustard on saloon pilot dbeef stew and couscous pick up food at muir trail ranch. Halfway, both time and mileage we had a very warm night for being at 10,500 ft. The essential guide to hiking americas most famous trail, by elizabeth wenk and kathy morey. On my first john muir trail thruhike i used something different. John muir trail how to get permits, what are the classic. The john muir trail crosses many passes and has a whole lot of up and down. On my jmt hike, my friend brad and i took 22 days to hike the trail, and we resupplied three times, including stops at reds meadow, muir trail ranch, and onion valley. It is not a place to ask basic questions that you can easily research via a guide book or map. Bearproof food storage at muir trail ranch this is where your food will be awaiting you.
This is a great resource to bounce ideas off people in the same situation as you or have experience doing what you plan to do. The john muir trail, located in paugnut state forest, ascends through forest to a terrain of ledges and boulders. Club members searched for a lasting way to honor him. John muir trail planning, resupply, permit and map information. Along the way it climbs over,000 passes, wanders beneath high alpine peaks, and traverses beautiful meadows and forested river valleys. How to hike the 200 mile long john muir trail trail. This jmt book has a mile by mile breakdown of the trail, info on water availability, good camps, and more. Walk the sky is a must for anyone interested in the john muir trail or the sierra nevada in general. Two tools have been invaluable during planning and while on the trail. The john muir trail jmt is a trail that winds it way through some of the most scenic sections of the sierra nevadas, it is 211 miles from the northern end in yosemite valley to the southern end on the summit of mount whitney you still have to get down from whitney so add another unofficial 11 miles for a total of 222 miles. Yosemite valley to mount whitney, 211 miles, 340 km, 1 month.
Google maps also does a great job of providing vehicular directions to and from trailheads. The john muir trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery. Or to view the 9 maps sequentially, click on the map 1 arrow at the top of the page. Gpx file with all of the 358 gps waypoints from the book.
John muir trail pocket hiking atlas by erik the black besides detailed, daily navigation topo maps, side trail info, resupply, transit and permit guidance, this super packable guides data tables, showing gps waypoints and distances between points, cumulative mileage and elevation, are located directly on the maps. The book includes gps coordinates, not only for every junction, but also for every established campsite, bear box, and mountain pass that the trail crosses. This is the most comprehensive photographic essay ofthe john muir trail since ansel adams treatment of the subject in 1938. What ill do different this time on the john muir trail. Jul 30, 20 this time around i am using a spreadsheet of milestones available if you are a member of the yahoo john muir trail online group. The john muir trail is an epic 211 mile trail in the sierra nevada mountains that extends from yosemite to mt. Very active group with many people who have thru hiked the jmt multiple times. Construction on the trail began in 1915 a year after muirs death. As mtr is the first on trail resupply point, many nobo hikers opt to camp at locations with bear boxes the first few nights until all of their food fits in their bear can. This was our planned itinerary for the john muir trail.
To view section maps showing greater detail, click on any of 9 rectangles on the overview map. Construction on the trail began in 1915 a year after muir s death and took 46 years to. A short side trail takes hikers to the summit of walnut mountain. It takes hikers up and down 9 passes above 10,000 feet and then to the mt. John muir trail pocket atlas john muir trail maps john. Also includes an elevation profile of the entire trail.
To solve this problem, national geographic offers an excellent john muir trail topographic map guide, which is a 48page pamphlet style set of maps. Hiking, biking and paddling books for the active outdoor lifestyle. John muir trail nad 27 gpx file zip with points culled from the above reference, and for use with tom harrisons jmt map set. Snow conditions get the lastest snow conditions for your favorite trail.
The satellite maps are high resolution and the john muir trail is pretty well marked for the entire 211 miles. Nicknamed peter, the author vanished during a trip to the minarets in 1933, his body was found after an intense search, and his book was published posthumously. The john muir trail jmt is one of the worlds most spectacular treks and is north americas best known middistance walking trail. Brand new maps, notable peaks highlight newest jmt guide.
John muir trail provides all the necessary planning information, including uptodate details on wilderness and permit regulations, food resupplies, trailhead amenities, and travel from nearby cities. Cabin is located in a sub alpine meadow 1550 feet above the mendenhall valley. The route starts at cottonwood lakes, makes its way up to the high point of the lower fortyeight states, mount whitney 4418m, and continues some two hundred miles to tuolumne in yosemite national park. The john muir trail is one of the finest hikes to be found anywhere in the world. The john muir trail jmt is a longdistance trail in the sierra nevada mountain range of california, passing through yosemite, kings canyon and sequoia national parks. These forums host an active community of people who plan to hike, or have already hiked, the jmt, and they contain a wide range of resources, including web links, documents, and. The john muir trail runs through the heart of the sierra nevada, the range of light. Because the john muir trail runs over 200 miles, youre not going to be able to carry one standard backpacking map. Big gs place backpacking the john muir trail distances. See more ideas about john muir trail, john muir and trail. Jmt maps and books pacific crest trail association. Hiking john muir trail data book updated wilderness press.
Whitney to yosemite valley in the sierra nevada, the 212 mile john muir trail. Click here for an excellent guide to planning the john muir trail. Jmt thruhikers generally choose to carry one of the purpose built map sets below. Then 6 days and 47 miles in 2012, followed by 7 days and 58 miles on the north lake to south lake trip including parts of the jmt in 20. John muir trail is here to guide you the entire way. A derivative of the comprehensive wilderness press guidebook john muir trail by sierra expert elizabeth wenk, this data book is perfect for the weightconscious hiker. Your sectionbysection guide to the john muir trail. The new john muir trail meticulously describes the entire trail and is written for todays hikers.
The john muir trail is one of the finest hikes in north america. This book helps to plan this type of trip, however it seems to be more focused on those planning on through hikes. It runs for 216 miles through the high sierra nevada mountains of california, from yosemite valley to the summit of mount whitney 14,496 ft, the highest peak in the usa outside alaska. Hiking the john muir trail john muir trail tips and map. Much more detail than possible on any smart phone app. Whitney and onward to whitney portal whether youre hiking the entire john muir trail or just sections of it, the first step of the journey begins with this book by sierra expert elizabeth wenk. In many cases the resolution of the photos is such that you can actually see the trail. And if you havent read john muir s wilderness essays yet it also a mustread. The john muir trail, which traces an undulating 211mile path up and down the high sierra while crossing numerous 10,00014,000 foot passes, requires some logistical planning. The john muir trail with pack stock support sierra. The john muir trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world. This book is still the manual for travel in the sierra. This is a long report about our 28 day hike of the jaunty juggernaut, the john muir trail jmt, from yosemite valley to whitney portal. John muir trail trekking yosemite np sierra mountain.
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