John Muir Trail
Hiking/Trekking in California with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc.
Highlights
- Hike one of the most famous trails in the world, the 212-mile John Muir Trail
- Winner of Outside Magazine's prestigious "Trip of the Year" award
- Expert guides with years of experience leading hikers off-trail
- Gourmet backcountry cooking
- Summit Mt. Whitney
- Breathtaking Sierra Nevada views rarely seen by others
Full Description
The 212-mile John Muir Trail is one of the most famous treks in the world. Starting in Yosemite, it traces the spine of the Sierras and finishes on top of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,495 feet.
Porter guides re-supply the group with food at four stops along the journey, keeping the pack weights manageable. The JMT is, for many, a lifelong goal and accomplishment. Begin planning early if you're interested in joining us on a departure this year, as our limited availability and small group size makes this trip fill quickly.
Grade: Strenuous. The JMT has challenging hiking in elevations ranging from 4,000'-14,495'. All hiking is on trail and daily mileage is between 8 & 14 miles. You'll be expected to carry a full pack (up to 40-50 lbs).
Equipment: All camping gear can be provided; backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents, if requested on the registration form. You provide your personal clothing, broken-in boots and other personal items. You may print from our web page a detailed clothing/gear, directions, and this itinerary.
Meals: All meals are provided while in the back country. We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.
Preparation: Hike. The John Muir Trail is a committing trip where you have minimum mileage each day. You should be aerobically and cardiovascularly fit, and should train by working out, carrying weight, and hiking stadium bleachers up & down. Reading The Guide to the John Muir Trail by Thomas Winnett will also be helpful.
Group Size: 3-12 clients, 1-2 guides
Includes:
- Shared lodging the final night in Lone Pine
- All meals while in the back country
- All camping/backpacking gear
- 4 food drops
- Lodging at Vermillion Resort mid-trip
- Round trip ferry across Edison Lake
- Guides
- Permits
- Van shuttles from Cottonwood Trailhead to Lone Pine and then from Lone Pine to Fresno airport the following day
Excludes:
- Meals while in the front country (dinner at Tuolumne Meadows Grill night 1, the Vermillion Valley Resort mid trip and dinner in Lone Pine on the last night)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal items
- Transportation to meeting spot on Day 1 (which we can still help you arrange)
- Tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee)
- Recommended trip cancellation insurance
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Tuolumne Campground at 5 PM to meet your guide(s). We will do a final gear check and discuss the details of the trip. Extra luggage can be stored with the support guide, who will be there.
Days 2-4
After crossing Raferty Creek we turn south and enter the dramatic canyon of the Lyell Fork. With views of Mt. Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park, we climb up and over Donahue Pass (11,056'). The trail then passes beneath Mt. Ritter, Mt. Banner, and Devil's Postpile on our way to Reds Meadow where natural hot springs and a food drop await us.
Days 5-7
In this 28 mile section we will pass through Crater Meadow as well as crossing Deer, Duck, and Mono Creeks. After climbing over Silver Pass (10,900'), we will eventually reach Edison Lake and the Vermillion Valley Resort, where we will spend the night, enjoy hot showers, and pick up a food drop.
Days 8-12
We pass Bear Creek and Marie Lake on our way to Seldon Pass (10,900'). A bridge over Piute Creek and a few switchbacks lead us to Evolution Meadow and Lake, one of the most spectacular sections of the trail. We then climb over Muir Pass (11,955') and descend into LeConte Canyon for another food drop. This will give us a half day rest here.
Days 13-14
After passing through Deer Meadow we head over Mather Pass (12,100') to the Lake Marjorie area.
Days 15-17
From the South Fork of the Kings River we climb over Pinchot Pass (12,130') and drop down to Woods Creek. We pass by Rae Lakes, Mt. Rixford, and Fin Dome before climbing over Glen Pass (11,978'). At the junction with the Kearsarge Pass Trail we will have our final food drop.
Days 18-22
Our final section of trail includes a crossing of Forester Pass (13,200), the highest pass on the trail. The culmination of our trip is an attempt at Mt. Whitney, 14,495', the highest peak in the Continental U.S. After Mt. Whitney, we'll return to Crabtree meadow in Sequoia National Park. We'll then exit the wilderness out of Cottonwood Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Golden Trout Wilderness. We'll stay the last night after we exit in Lone Pine at a hotel.
Day 23
On our final day we will take a shuttle back to Fresno airport and then on to Bass Lake. (5-6 hour drive). Don't plan a flight before 3:00 PM on day 23 from Fresno.
About The Operator:
Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc.
Headquarters:
Bass Lake, California
Established:
January 1991
Voted by National Geographic Advenutre Magazine in 2007-2009 "Best Outfitter Earth" and the "Best Adventure Travel Company," Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides has shown thousands of people the beauty of the mountains and wild places in Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness, Sequoia & Kings Canyon Nat'l Parks, and the Eastern Sierra region. SYMG is a leader in the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and operated trips and programs in the most spectacular Wilderness areas ofCalifornia. Programs and courses include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and fly fishing; and haven't changed much over the years.
There's a reason for this. The style of trip offered, the locations and times of the year in which the trips or courses run, the types of meals chosen, itineraries, and your guides; all contribute to the quality of your experience. Our trips are highlighted in the following pages. Visit Our Trips for daily itineraries, gear lists, and reviews. Visit Reservations for availability and registration. Or, call our office and talk with us. We look forward to speaking with you, and meeting you soon.
Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc operates under special use permits in Sierra National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks and is a bonded and licensed fly fishing guide service with the CA Department of Fish and Game. All SYMG rock courses are instructed by certified PCGI instructors and AMGA trained guides. SYMG is also a proud member of Trout Unlimited, the Worldwide Outfitters and Guides Association, and the Sierra Club.