The John Muir Trail (JMT) is one of North America’s most celebrated long-distance treks, stretching approximately 348km (216 miles) through the high peaks of California’s Sierra Nevada from Yosemite Valley to Whitney Portal. Taking around three weeks to complete, this epic route links granite domes, alpine lakes, towering passes, and spectacular wilderness scenery as it crosses three famous national parks — Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.

This trusted Cicerone guidebook provides everything needed to navigate the John Muir Trail with confidence. Presented in clear, stage-by-stage descriptions and packed with practical advice on preparation, logistics, and wilderness travel, it helps you plan thoroughly for a route suitable for hikers with experience in remote high-mountain wilderness. 

• Detailed route descriptions break the John Muir Trail into 21 daily stages of between 11 and 26km (7–16 miles) from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to Whitney Portal, helping you plan each day’s distance
• Sketch maps, ascent/descent tables, and distance summaries support navigation through high alpine passes like Donohue, Mather, and Forester, keeping you on track in mountainous terrain
• Practical planning guidance covers permits, transport, equipment, food, and training — essential for Sierra wilderness logistics and regulations
• Lists of camping areas, ranger stations, water sources, and bear box locations provide vital on-trail information for safety and resupply, crucial for a remote-long-distance trail 
• Insightful background on the High Sierra’s natural history, from Yosemite’s granite giants to subalpine flora and fauna, enriches your experience of the landscapes you traverse

Everything needed to organise, navigate, and complete the John Muir Trail is gathered in one reliable, expertly structured guide. Lace up your boots and immerse yourself in this legendary Sierra Nevada adventure — a bucket-list experience for seasoned hikers and mountain trekkers alike. 

John Muir Trail – Quick Facts

Trail name: John Muir Trail (JMT) 
Location: Sierra Nevada, California, USA 
Total distance: 348 km / 216 miles 
Typical duration: 18–25 days 
Start: Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley 
Finish: Whitney Portal 
Trail type: Waymarked long-distance route 
Difficulty: Challenging / High-altitude backpacking 
Terrain: Granite domes, alpine lakes, mountain passes, remote wilderness 
Navigation: Well waymarked, shares much of the trail with the PCT
Best season: June to September 
Accommodation: Primarily backcountry camping, with ranger stations and designated campsites along the route

Author Top Tip

“The dramatic peak of Half Dome lies a little off the route of the JMT at the northern end of the trail in Yosemite National Park, and few adventurous walkers would want to pass by without making a detour to climb this sensational mountain. Note that a separate permit is now required to climb Half Dome.”

- Alan Castle, author of The John Muir Trail

Route Map    
Map Key     
Summary Table: John Muir Trail     

INTRODUCTION
Background
John Muir     
Parks along the JMT
The Pacific Crest Trail    
Using this Guide
Planning your Trip
Flights to California    
Public Transport to and from the Trailhead    
Booking Accommodation      
Maps    
Equipment    
Food Supplies    
General Fitness and Trail Fitness    
Health and Medical Considerations    
Water Purification    
Coping with Altitude    
Dealing with Bears    
River Crossings    
Other Natural Hazards    
Low-Impact Trekking and National Park/Wilderness Regulations    
Camp Routine    
Time Difference
Public Holidays in the US     
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

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
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
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
Epilogue

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 Websites in the UK and US
Appendix 7 Bibliography
Appendix 8 Trail Summary Table

Seasons

August is best, July normally fine but late snow may be a problem

Centres

Starts Yosemite and finishes at Whitney Portal; Tuolmmne, Vermilion Resort and Muir Trail Range along the way; access through San Francisco or Los Angeles

Difficulty

spectacular, remote and risks of poor weather; backpacking throughout, carrying all required food; tough trekking but no route-finding difficulties; beware of bears!

Must See

Yosemite (rock walls of El Capitan, Half Dome etc), King's Canyon and Sequoia national parks, Anselm Adams wilderness, Mount Whitney

March 2020

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