The John Muir Trail - A Trekker's Guide

Guidebook to walking North America's John Muir trek through California’s High Sierra from Yosemite (El Capitan and Half-Dome) to Mount Witney, the highest peak in the continental US. The 216 mile route is split into 21 daily stages, with full information on preparation, permits, wilderness, bears, water. Part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Route Map   
Map Key    
Summary Table: John Muir Trail    

INTRODUCTION
Background   
John Muir    
In Memory of John Muir     
Californian National Parks along the JMT    
John Muir Wilderness    
Ansel Adams and the Ansel Adams Wilderness    
The Pacific Crest Trail   
Notes on Using the Guidebook    

Planning your Trip    
Which Direction?    
When to Go    
All or Part of the Trail?    
In a Group or Alone?    
Wilderness Permits    
Flights to California    
Public Transport to and from the Trailhead    
Booking Accommodation     
Maps   
Equipment   
First Aid Kit    
Planning Food Supplies    
Buying Food for the JMT     
Posting Food on Ahead   

Walking the Trail
General Fitness and Trail Fitness   
Health and Medical Considerations    
Water Purification    
Coping with Altitude    
Dealing with Bears    
Protecting Food from Bears    
River Crossings   
Other Natural Hazards    
Low-Impact Trekking and National Park/Wilderness Regulations    
Camp Routine   
Time Difference
Public Holidays in the USA    
Money    
Insurance    
The Natural World
Geology of the Sierra Nevada    
Vegetation and Flowers on the John Muir Trail    
Birds of the John Muir Trail    
Mammals along the Trail   

TRAIL GUIDE   
Yosemite Valley
Day 1    Yosemite Valley (Happy Isles) to Half Dome Trail Junction/Sunrise Creek and the Ascent of Half Dome    
Day 2    Half Dome Trail Junction/Sunrise Creek to Sunrise High Sierra Camp
Day 3    Sunrise High Sierra Camp via Cathedral Pass to Tuolumne Meadows    
    Optional Rest Day – Tuolumne Meadows    
Day 4    Tuolumne Meadows to Upper Lyell Canyon    
Day 5    Upper Lyell Canyon via Donohue Pass and Island Pass to Thousand Island Lake
Day 6    Thousand Island Lake to the Devil’s Postpile    
Day 7    The Devil’s Postpile via Reds Meadow to Deer Creek    
Day 8    Deer Creek to Tully Hole/Cascade Valley Junction    
Day 9    Tully Hole/Cascade Valley Junction via Silver Pass to Edison Lake    
    Rest Day – Vermilion Valley Resort    
Day 10   Edison Lake to Rosemarie Meadow    
Day 11   Rosemarie Meadow via Seldon Pass to the Muir Trail Ranch    
Day 12   Muir Trail Ranch to McClure Meadow    
Day 13   McClure Meadow via Muir Pass to Unnamed Lake North-East of Helen Lake    
Day 14   Unnamed Lake North-East of Helen Lake to Deer Meadow    
Day 15   Deer Meadow via Mather Pass to Kings River    
Day 16   Kings River via Pinchot Pass to Woods Creek    
Day 17   Woods Creek via Glen Pass to Vidette Meadow    
Day 18   Vidette Meadow via Forester Pass to Tyndall Creek    
Day 19   Tyndall Creek to Guitar Lake    
Day 20   Guitar Lake via Mount Whitney and Trail Crest to Trail Camp; and the ascent of Mount Whitney    
Day 21   Trail Camp to Whitney Portal   
    Lone Pine    

Epilogue        

APPENDICES
Appendix 1    Camping Areas on the JMT    
Appendix 2    Ranger Stations along the JMT   
Appendix 3    Escape Routes on the JMT    
Appendix 4    Bear Box Locations on the JMT    
Appendix 5    Mountain Passes and Peaks on the JMT    
Appendix 6    Useful Addresses and Internet Websites in the UK and USA    
Appendix 7    Bibliography