Hiking the John Muir Trail

Hiking the John Muir Trail is a complete stage-by-stage guide to one of the world's most celebrated long-distance hikes – a 340km (211-mile) traverse of California's High Sierra from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

The route is divided into 19 stages and can be hiked in either direction – southbound from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley, or northbound from Whitney Portal or Horseshoe Meadow. It crosses iconic high mountain passes including Donohue, Muir, Mather and Forester, passing through some of North America's most spectacular alpine terrain: granite peaks, glacier-scoured basins, pristine lakes and wildflower meadows. Total ascent on the southbound route is around 14,530m (47,673ft). Detailed waypoint descriptions, elevation profiles and stage timing are provided for every stage in both directions, with comprehensive resupply information for Tuolumne Meadows, Red's Meadow/Mammoth Lakes, Vermilion Valley Resort, Muir Trail Ranch and Parchers Resort near Bishop Pass.
The JMT passes through Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness, Devils Postpile National Monument, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. Permits are required and must be booked through Recreation.gov; the guide covers all entry options in detail. Southbound hikers can start from Happy Isles or Lyell Canyon in Yosemite, while northbound hikers have three alternatives – Whitney Portal, Cottonwood Pass or Cottonwood Lakes at Horseshoe Meadow – each with different quota systems, offering useful flexibility for securing a permit. The trail is best hiked July–September, with August the optimal month for snow-free passes and manageable river crossings. Reno-Tahoe International Airport offers the most direct access, with onward bus connections via Eastern Sierra Transit (ESTA) to trailheads at both ends of the route. Wild camping is the norm throughout.

19 stages, 340km (211 miles) total, with full southbound and northbound route descriptions, elevation profiles and waypoint timing data
Traverses iconic passes including Muir Pass, Mather Pass and Forester Pass, culminating at or starting from Mount Whitney (4,421m/14,505ft), the highest summit in the contiguous US
Step-by-step permit guidance for Recreation.gov covering Yosemite National Park and Inyo National Forest trailheads, including lottery timelines and quota details
Full resupply planning for Tuolumne Meadows, Red's Meadow/Mammoth Lakes, Vermilion Valley Resort, Muir Trail Ranch and Parchers Resort (near Bishop Pass), with mailing addresses and fees
GPX files available to download; guide includes 1:100,000 maps with seasonal water source indicators
Extensive planning section covering when to hike, permit applications, resupply strategies, training, equipment, water treatment, bear canisters and leave-no-trace principles – everything needed before setting foot on trail


The John Muir Trail is an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s great mountain landscapes – a route that draws hikers from across the globe back to the Sierra again and again.

Hiking the John Muir Trail

gives you everything you need to plan and complete this iconic trail with confidence.

Seasons

The trail is best hiked July–September, with August the optimal month for snow-free passes and manageable river crossings

Centres

Yosemite, 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

Mountain safety Route summary tables Overview profile Introduction Who was John Muir? The John Muir Trail Planning your hike Planning resources When to hike Hiking southbound vs northbound Permits and regulations Stages and resupply How to get there Training and preparation Using this guide Essential information Waymarking and navigation Water supply and purification Food and storage Camping Toileting Equipment Health and first aid Hazards and safety Leave No Trace principles The mountains of The Sierra Nevada Formation and geology Plants and flowers Wildlife Human history The John Muir Trail Stage 1 Yosemite Valley (Happy Isles) to Merced Lake Trail junction Northbound: Merced Lake Trail junction to Yosemite Valley (Happy Isles) Stage 2 Merced Lake Trail junction to Tioga Road (east crossing) Northbound: Tioga Road (east crossing) to Merced Lake Trail junction Stage 3 Tioga Road (east crossing) to Lyell Fork Bridge Northbound: Lyell Fork Bridge to Tioga Road (east crossing) Stage 4 Lyell Fork Bridge to Ruby Lake outlet Northbound: Ruby Lake outlet to Lyell Fork Bridge Stage 5 Ruby Lake outlet to JMT/PCT junction Northbound: JMT/PCT junction to Ruby Lake outlet Stage 6 JMT/PCT junction to Duck Pass Trail junction Northbound: Duck Pass Trail junction to JMT/PCT junction Stage 7 Duck Pass Trail junction to Goodale Pass Trail junction Northbound: Goodale Pass Trail junction to Duck Pass Trail junction Stage 8 Goodale Pass Trail junction to Bear Ridge Trail junction Northbound: Bear Ridge Trail junction to Goodale Pass Trail junction Stage 9 Bear Ridge Trail junction to Sallie Keys Lake outlet Northbound: Sallie Keys Lake outlet to Bear Ridge Trail junction Stage 10 Sallie Keys Lake outlet to Goddard Canyon Trail junction Northbound: Goddard Canyon Trail to Sallie Keys Lakes outlet Stage 11 Goddard Canyon Trail junction to Evolution Lake outlet Northbound: Evolution Lake outlet to Goddard Canyon Trail junction Stage 12 Evolution Lake outlet to Bishop Pass Trail junction Northbound: Bishop Pass Trail junction to Evolution Lake outlet Stage 13 Bishop Pass Trail junction to Lower Palisade Lake outlet Northbound: Lower Palisade Lake outlet to Bishop Pass Trail junction Stage 14 Lower Palisade Lake outlet to Lake Marjorie Northbound: Lake Marjorie to Lower Palisade Lake outlet Stage 15 Lake Marjorie to Woods Creek Bridge Northbound: Woods Creek Bridge to Lake Marjorie Stage 16 Woods Creek Bridge to Lower Vidette Meadow Northbound: Lower Vidette Meadow to Woods Creek Bridge Stage 17 Lower Vidette Meadow to Shepherd Pass Trail junction Northbound: Shepherd Pass Trail junction to Lower Vidette Meadow Stage 18 Shepherd Pass Trail junction to Crabtree Ranger Station Northbound: Crabtree Ranger Station to Shepherd Pass Trail junction Stage 19 Crabtree Ranger Station to Mount Whitney Northbound: Mount Whitney Summit to Crabtree Ranger Station Access/Exit A Mount Whitney to Whitney Portal Trailhead Alternative Access/Exit B Access/Exit via Cottonwood Pass Trailhead Alternative Access/Exit C Access/Exit via Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Appendix A Mountain passes along the JMT Appendix B Ranger stations along the JMT Appendix C Access and resupply along the JMT Appendix D Local information and conversions Appendix E Useful addresses and websites Appendix F Further reading