Ultimate John Muir Trail Planning Guide (2024)

Hiking the John Muir Trail? Get organized and simplify your preparation with this step-by-step John Muir Trail planning guide.

Planning to hike the John Muir Trail? Get organized and simplify your preparation with this step-by-step John Muir Trail Planning Guide.

Planning a John Muir Trail thru-hike can feel just as daunting as actually hiking it. When Kristen – Bearfoot Theory’s Founder – hiked the JMT in 2014, there were very few John Muir Trail planning resources available online. She relied on JMT books, maps, and forums, to figure out John Muir Trail permits, resupply, a good itinerary, gear, and more. It took months of planning and preparation, which was all worth the effort for the life changing experience she had on trail.

She came home and immediately wrote up everything she learned during her JMT hike that she wished she knew during her planning. Those blog posts are what first led people to the Bearfoot Theory website when it was brand new, and Kristen still receives emails from people today thanking her for all of the information she has provided on the John Muir Trail.

I personally hiked the John Muir Trail more recently in 2020, so Kristen tasked me with updating her original John Muir Trail planning guide, with all of the relevant information that you need to know to hike the JMT in 2024.

To help you make your John Muir Trail dreams come true, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to take you from daydreaming about hiking the JMT to actually doing it.

John Muir Trail Basics

The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile footpath that starts in Yosemite Valley and runs south along the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states. Interestingly, the trail’s namesake, John Muir, never actually hiked the JMT; the trail’s construction began in 1915, the year after his death. It was built atop a network of ancient footpaths laid down by the Paiute and other Indigenous people for thousands of years called Nüümü Poyo, or the People’s Paths.

California’s Sierra Nevada mountains are one of the world’s most beautiful and rugged mountain ranges, made up of glittering granite that has been uplifted by plate tectonics and sculpted by glaciers. The JMT crosses some of the Sierra’s highest and most remote terrain. For the majority of your trip, you’ll have no cell service and you’ll cross no roads. The trail crosses several wilderness areas and three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.

Mountains and trees juxtaposed next to a blue lake on the John Muir Trail
Expect non-stop gorgeous views on the JMT

Trail Stats

  • Total distance: 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to the top of Mount Whitney, plus 11 miles down to the Whitney Portal trailhead
  • Days needed: 18-22
  • Trailhead start: Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park (Southbound), Horseshoe Meadow or Cottonwood Lakes/Pass (Northbound)
  • Best time to hike: July – September, depending on snowpack
  • Total elevation gain/loss: 47,000 ft gain/38,000 ft loss (Southbound)
  • Permits: Required and very competitive 
  • Difficulty: Strenuous and logistically challenging 
  • Dogs allowed: No
  • Cell service: Rare
Little Valley Lakes on the John Muir Trail

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Best Time Of Year To Hike the JMT

The JMT is a high summer trail, and the best time to hike it is typically mid-July through early September to avoid prodigious snowfall and avalanches in the winter and dangerous creek crossings in the spring. However, the JMT hiking season is heavily influenced by the winter snowfall in the Eastern Sierra.

In low snow years, it may be possible to hike the JMT starting in June and into mid-October. But early and late season hikers should have significant snow travel experience and be prepared for sudden changes in weather.

In June, hikers may encounter snow on the high mountain passes, necessitating snow safety gear like microspikes and an ice ax, as well as strong navigational skills when the trail disappears under snow.

During the fleeting summer months (July and August), mosquitoes and biting flies can be legion, thanks to the abundant water found along the trail. Definitely bring a head net, bug spray, and a tent with mosquito netting. 

On high snow years, creek crossings may remain dangerous throughout the summer. Trekking poles, sturdy hiking boots, and a partner can help make crossings safer. In September (when Kristen hiked the JMT) and October, hikers may encounter snowstorms and frigid overnight temperatures but will encounter fewer bugs.

A person hikes along a flat section of the John Muir Trail near Cathedral Peak
Hiking near Cathedral Peak | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

How Long Does It Take To Hike The JMT?

With nonstop Ansel Adams-worthy views, plentiful swimming holes, and once-in-a-lifetime side trips around every corner, the JMT is an experience best savored. Under the load of a ~35-pound pack, with considerable elevation gain and loss, you’d be hard-pressed to rush through this trail anyway.

In general, backpackers can expect to cover around 10 miles a day so most people will hike the JMT’s 211 miles in 18 to 22 days. Of course, it’s possible to cover the distance much faster, but the better question to ask is: how long can I afford to spend on the JMT? If you’re going to go through the trouble of hiking one of the world’s greatest hiking trails, why not devote as much time as possible to exploring the route?

When I hiked the JMT NOBO in 2020, I took 27 days to hike over 300 miles. The extra miles came from the numerous side trips I took off the JMT corridor to explore the countless lake basins and summits that can only be accessed from the JMT. When BFT Founder Kristen hiked the JMT back in 2014, she took 22 days and hiked roughly 240 miles.

A man dives into Kearsarge Lake on the John Muir Trail
Swimming in Kearsarge Lake | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

JMT Trail Difficulty

Mile for mile, the John Muir Trail is one of the most epic hiking trails on Earth. But you’ll be earning all those views with a lot of sweat and maybe a few tears (hopefully no blood!). The trail follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountains, rarely dipping below 10,000 feet of elevation. 

To cross this soaring mountain range you’ll need to climb. Over the course of 211 miles, you’ll gain over 47,000 feet of elevation, including climbs over eight major mountain passes: Donohue, Silver, Selden, Muir, Mather, Pinchot, Glen, and Forester, the highest pass, at 13,153 feet. In between the passes you’ll be traversing across spectacular lake basins where you’re never far from water and where the best campsites are usually found. 

Donohue Pass on the JMT. Scrambling and jagged rocks
Hiking up Donohue Pass | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Altitude sickness is a real possibility on the trail, but you can help mitigate its effects by training for your hike, staying well-hydrated and nourished, and giving your body time to adjust. By starting in Yosemite and hiking the trail south you’ll have several weeks to work your way up to the trail’s high point on top of Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet. This is the official end of the trail, but you’ll then need to descend 11 miles, down 6,600 feet to Whitney Portal to end your hike (making the grand total 222 miles, not counting side trips). 

The numbers can be intimidating but the reality is the JMT is so spectacularly beautiful, so well trodden, marked, and maintained, with plentiful water and campsites that actually hiking the trail is a backpacker’s dream. With adequate planning, training, and preparation, you’ll be setting off for the greatest hike of your life. 

A man and woman smile next to a hiking sign "Kearsarge Pass: 11,760 feet. Entering Kings Canyon National Park" on the John Muir Trail
On top of Kearsarge Pass | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Which Direction Should You Hike the JMT?

Traditionally, the JMT begins in Yosemite Valley, at the Happy Isles trailhead, and runs for 211 miles south to the grand finale on the summit of Mount Whitney.

The main advantage of going Southbound, or SOBO, is that you start at a lower elevation, which gives your legs and lungs time to adjust to hiking at altitude before you tackle the highest passes en route to Mount Whitney. Resupply logistics are also a little easier hiking SOBO, as you’ll be able to mail resupply boxes to Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch and deal with the trickier logistics of the more remote southern portion of the trail later in your trip. However, getting permits to go SOBO can be difficult. In fact, Yosemite wilderness permits are some of the most sought-after permits in the National Park system. 

A woman smiles hiking on the John Muir Trail
BFT Founder Kristen hiked the JMT Southbound in 2014

Around 20% of JMT thru-hikers elect to hike Northbound, or NOBO. However, getting a permit to start from Whitney Portal is also difficult, as you’re competing against people who want to hike Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48. And you’ll have to tackle a huge 6,600 foot climb up Whitney at the start of your hike, as well as some of the highest passes in the first week.

Resupply options are also few and far between in the southern third of the trail, usually requiring significant side trips. You’ll have to figure out your resupply plan between Muir Trail Ranch and Mount Whitney whether you’re hiking NOBO or SOBO but it can feel easier to tackle this towards the end of your hike rather than at the beginning. 

A man and woman smiling holding a "Mt Whitney 14,508ft" sign
I hiked NOBO in 2020 and summited Whitney at the beginning of the trek | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

How To Get John Muir Trail Permits

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to surmount the single hardest obstacle in planning a JMT thru-hike: getting a permit. I won’t sugarcoat it: JMT permits are akin to Golden Tickets. According to the National Park Service, 97% of JMT permit applications are denied, but there are a few tips and tricks that can help increase your chances of getting a permit.

On a thru-hike of the JMT, you will pass through three National Parks and several different wilderness areas and National Forests. Fortunately, you only need one permit, which will cover your entire hike. It’s not actually a JMT permit; rather it’s based on your starting trailhead. So if you start your hike in Yosemite, you need a permit from Yosemite National Park. If you start in Inyo National Forest, you need a permit from Inyo National Forest.

Screenshot of the John Muir Trail Permit website
You will need a permit from Yosemite to hike Southbound

When applying for a SOBO permit from Yosemite National Park, there are two main trailheads: Happy Isles and Lyell Canyon. When you apply for either of these permits, you’ll also need to select “Donohue Pass Eligible” so that you can exit Yosemite National Park over Donohue Pass to continue south on the JMT. Yosemite National Park only issues 45 wilderness permits for Donohue Pass per day. Of these, 20 are available for the Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass eligible) trailhead and 25 are available for permits using the Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible) trailhead. 

By far the most coveted permits are those issued by Yosemite National Park to start at the Happy Isles trailhead, as well as those issued by Inyo National Forest to start at the Whitney Portal trailhead. But while those are the traditional starting points for SOBO and NOBO hikes, respectively, they aren’t the only options.

On my 2020 NOBO trek, I started from the Horseshoe Meadow trailhead, 28 trail miles south of Mount Whitney, to avoid the competition at Whitney Portal.

For permit deadlines and more information on how to apply, check out our post on How To Apply for a Southbound JMT permit.

As annoying and discouraging as permits and trailhead quotas can be, they are necessary to protect the trail and the quality of the wilderness experience. If everybody who wanted to hike the JMT in July and August were allowed to go, the mountains would be overrun with people, and the trails, campsites, and water sources would be quickly degraded. 

Do NOT be tempted to hike without a permit! The JMT crosses hundreds of miles of remote wilderness, but it’s actively patrolled by backcountry park rangers. I had my Inyo National Forest permit checked three times, once in Kings Canyon National Park and twice in Yosemite. I also met a group of four young hikers from Seattle who were ending their JMT hike early because they didn’t have a permit and got caught by a ranger and were facing steep fines if they continued. Flaunting permit rules can also get you banned from future permit lotteries.

How To Get To the JMT

Whether you hike the JMT SOBO or NOBO, you’ll be ending your hike hundreds of miles from your starting point. There are a few ways to get to and from the starting and ending trailheads of your hike, depending on whether you have your own car or will be relying on rides or on public transportation. 

If you have your own car, it’s best to park it at your ending trailhead and get a ride or take public transportation to the start of the hike. That way you can end triumphantly at your car and drive yourself to a victory meal and a hot shower. Most of the trailheads in the Sierra allow for long-term parking but check with the local ranger station and let them know your dates of travel. 

If you plan on taking public transportation at the start or finish of your hike, keep in mind that the options are generally easier in Yosemite, which is serviced by YARTS: Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System. Scenic Highway 395, which runs along the eastern side of the Sierra, is serviced by Eastern Sierra Transit buses and the small towns along 395 are generally very adept at catering to hikers, with several private shuttle companies options based in Mammoth, Bishop, Independence, and Lone Pine. 

Hitchhiking from the various trailheads into town is also common practice and you can usually get a ride with a fellow hiker or day tripper in exchange for tales of your epic adventure (and maybe a few bucks for gas). Not everybody is comfortable with this option, but if you trust your gut, hitchhiking can be a fun part of your hiking adventure. 

For more info on which cities to fly into, a breakdown of the various public transportation options, as well as route and contact info for bus and shuttle companies, check out our post on John Muir Trail Transportation Guide and Planning Tips

Eastern Sierra Transit map
YARTS map

Planning Your JMT Itinerary

When you apply for your JMT permit, you will need to know your starting date, ending date, and where you plan to spend your first night on the JMT. Once you have your permit, it’s tempting to want to plan out where you’ll spend every night in between, but it’s also important to stay flexible. Once you’re on trail, a multitude of factors (weather, altitude gain, available campsites, fellow hikers) will affect how many miles you cover each day. 

On average, most people will hike around 10 to 15 miles a day. The JMT is blessed with plentiful campsites and abundant water sources, so don’t stress too much about finding a campsite each night. Even if the tent sites within sight of the trail are all taken, you’re likely to find many more within a half mile of the trail.

Always follow Leave No Trace principles and select established campsites on durable surfaces. Never set your tent up on top of fragile vegetation – especially in the alpine zone – and don’t camp within 200 feet of water sources. 

Marie Lakes at sunset on the John Muir Trail
Marie Lakes | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Hiking the JMT involves gaining and losing considerable elevation up and over numerous high-altitude passes. The best strategy for tackling these passes is to camp near the base the night before so you can hike the pass first thing in the morning when your legs are fresh and the weather is the most stable. Camping at or near the top of passes isn’t usually a great idea due to high winds, unpredictable weather, and frigid nighttime temperatures at altitude. 

You’ll also need to plan out where you’ll pick up your resupply boxes along the way, which we’ll cover below. 

If you’re curious about what a sample JMT itinerary looks like, check out Kristen’s 3 Week John Muir Trail Itinerary, where she highlights the best viewpoints, campsites, swimming holes, and more during her 22-day hike.

A man stands above Rae Lakes on the John Muir Trail
Rae Lakes | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

What To Eat on the John Muir Trail

On the JMT, you will spend around three weeks on trail, far from restaurants and grocery stores so you will need to pack or mail yourself all your meals for 20-plus days of strenuous hiking. You will likely be ravenously hungry on your hike, but of course, you can’t bring infinite food, as you will need to carry it on your back and fit it into an approved bear canister each night to keep critters out of your precious food stash. 

For each day on the JMT, you’ll want to bring breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus lots of snacks! There’s a lot of information online about the staggering amount of calories burned while backpacking (over 500 calories an hour!), but unless you’re really into calorie counting in your daily life, it’s not necessary to get too bogged down by numbers when planning a backpacking trip. As an easy rule of thumb, aim to bring around 2 to 2.5 pounds of food per person per day which should be around 3,000 to 4,000 calories per day. 

A woman smiles making food on her JetBoil on the JMT
BFT Founder Kristen cooking a meal on the JMT

When shopping for the JMT, seek out calorically dense foods that can be repackaged neatly into ziplock bags. You want the highest quantity of calories and nutrients in the smallest and lightest package to maximize the value of each food item. Don’t buy anything low calorie or low fat. 

Also remember, you will have to carry your trash for at least a week so you don’t want foods that are messy or smelly.

Store-bought dehydrated meals have gotten increasingly better in terms of both taste and quality ingredients with several companies making organic meals that cater to an array of dietary restrictions. In the interest of saving space in your bear canister and cutting down on trash, you’ll need to repackage these meals into ziplocks. It’s cleaner and more efficient to reheat dehydrated meals in an insulated pot with an insulating cozy than in the foil bags. 

Backpacking food laid out on a table in Ziploc bags on the John Muir Trail
Repackage your food into Ziplocs to fit more in your bear canister | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Pro Tip: divide store-bought meals into multiple servings and add extra dehydrated veggies (these can be bought in bulk), a protein such as a tuna packet or salami, and an instant grain like couscous or rice to make an adequate portion. One of the easiest ways to add extra calories is to bring a plastic container of olive oil and add a tablespoon or two to each meal. 

For more tips and recipes visit our John Muir Trail Food Shopping List and Best Lightweight Vegan Backpacking Meals.

How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail

One of the biggest logistical challenges of the JMT is figuring out how to resupply your food along the way. You’ll spend much of the trail’s 200-plus miles immersed in wilderness, far from grocery stores and restaurants so you’ll need to mail yourself several resupply packages along the way. The most common resupply spots on the JMT (listed SOBO) are:

  • Red’s Meadow (mile 60.8)
  • Vermillion Valley Report (mile 88.1 plus 12 mile side trip off JMT or ferry boat ride)
  • Muir Trail Ranch (mile 106.1)
  • Bishop Pass trailhead/ Bishop (mile 136.2 plus 23.6 mile round trip side trip off JMT)
  • Onion Valley trailhead/ Independence (mile 180.3 plus 15 mile side trip off JMT)

Most JMT hikers will take advantage of the Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch reservices, as they are both located a short distance from the JMT. Both of these require mailing about a week’s worth of food in a box or 5-gallon bucket, at least two weeks before you begin your hike. Both Red’s Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch have very specific instructions for how to pack and mail your resupply on their respective websites and more info can be found in our blog post How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail

Buckets of JMT resupply food ready to be shipped
Mailing your resupplies in 5 gallon buckets is easiest (and sometimes required)

You will likely also need to arrange a third resupply in the southern portion of the trail, as there are 117 miles of trail to hike between MTR and Whitney Portal. At an average backpacking pace of 10 miles a day, this section will take at least 11 days. Some people can hike fast enough and stretch their food supply to avoid this third resupply but this is not recommended as you definitely don’t want to feel rushed or low on calories towards the end of your hike. 

The better plan is to arrange for a food drop at Onion Valley trailhead or one of the other side trails that branch off the JMT. The downside is that these will all require significant side trips. For example, Onion Valley is a 15-mile round trip detour, but it’s also spectacularly beautiful with many excellent camping options along the way. There are also a few backcountry outfitters who will meet you on the JMT with your resupply, carried in style by pack mule. These options tend to be expensive but can be made more reasonable by splitting the service with several other hikers. 

For lots more tips, tricks, and info about strategizing, packing, and mailing your resupplies to the various resupply points on the JMT, read How To Resupply on the John Muir Trail and John Muir Trail Food Shopping List.

Red's Meadow Resupply on the JMT
Red’s Meadow Resupply | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Bears & Food Storage

For many hikers, the possibility of encountering bears is one of the scariest parts of planning a JMT hike. But the reality is that with so many other people on trail, you’ll be lucky to spot a bear in its natural habitat. In general, bears and other wildlife prefer to avoid close contact with humans and the JMT is a veritable superhighway through the wilderness. 

However, each year a few clever Sierra bears learn to associate people and campsites with food, usually when people are careless about leaving food unattended or unsecured in camps or cars. This can be very dangerous, especially for the bears. A fed bear is often tragically a dead bear. 

To keep bears away from human food, all hikers on the John Muir Trail are required to carry an approved bear canister. These sturdy plastic or metal containers are the only proven way to keep bears from accessing food in the High Sierra, where bears are adept climbers and tall trees are rare.

A backpacking pack, trekking poles, boots, and a bear canister lay next to a rock
Bear canisters are required on the John Muir Trail

You can buy your bear canister or rent one from ranger stations for a small fee. Ursacks and Opsacks are not acceptable alternatives on the JMT. Backcountry rangers will check that you have a canister when they check your permit. 

While hiking, you can keep snacks accessible in pockets of your backpack but in camp, all food, trash, and scented items need to fit inside your canister, including toiletries like toothpaste and lotions. Keep a clean camp! Don’t leave food or scented items out if you’re not in the act of consuming them. At night, the locked canister should be placed at least 50 feet from your tent, in a location where it’s not easily kicked off a cliff or into a creek. Bear canisters are designed to be too bulky for bears to pick up or carry away but they will sometimes roll the canister around a bit. 

If you do see a bear on trail, keep calm, speak to the bear so they can identify you as human and give them as much space as possible. Never approach or follow a bear or make it feel cornered. If a bear comes into your camp, chase it away by yelling and banging your pot! Get mad. Scold it like it’s a bad dog. Don’t let it think it’s welcome to explore your camp. If the bear doesn’t leave, or even if it does, consider moving to another location or teaming up with fellow campers. Black bears are not normally a threat to people, and are usually dissuaded by several people all yelling at the bear to go away. 

What To Pack on the John Muir Trail

When it comes to packing for backpacking, less is more: the less weight you bring, the more you will enjoy your trip. There’s nothing worse than suffering under the weight of a too heavy backpack, especially on a multi week hike like the JMT.

Before my JMT thru-hike, my hiking partner and I sat down with all of our gear and a kitchen scale, weighed out everything, and entered it all into a spreadsheet. Seeing the numbers broken down by item really helped shave off a few pounds. I traded out my trusty (but heavy) Osprey pack for a much lighter Granite Gear Blaze 60 pack, lightening my load by nearly 2 pounds.

That might not sound like much, but when you’re carrying weight for over 300 miles, every ounce counts! By the time I hit the trail, I had whittled my base weight down to 22 pounds, not including food and water. So even fully stocked with 8 days of food, my longest food carry between resupplies, my pack still weighed under 40 pounds. 

Two backpacking packs sitting next to a sign that reads "entering Kings Canyon National Park" on the JMT
My Granite Gear pack (right) weighed under 40lbs | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

If you can afford to invest in some new gear, do your research and be very selective about what you buy. Gear technology and innovations have really accelerated in the last few years and there are lots of lightweight options for backpacking tents, sleeping bags, stoves, and clothing.

Everybody has their personal preferences when it comes to sleep systems, cooking systems and clothing systems. Unfortunately, the lightest gear is often expensive and not as durable as you might hope. For intensive use, such as on the JMT, it often makes sense to pick a slightly more rugged option so it’ll survive your trip and hopefully a few more! 

The best advice is to test your gear and really get to know it before you set off on your JMT adventure. Plan to take at least one overnight shakedown hike ahead of your trip. If possible, take multiple shakedown trips! Ideally, over multiple nights! Keep notes about what you use and what you don’t use. You may be able to drop a few unnecessary items ahead of your JMT adventure. Remember less is more and every ounce counts! 

For Kristen’s detailed packing and gear list, visit our Complete John Muir Trail Gear List and read Ultralight Backpacking Tips for advice on how to shed weight.

A woman smiles standing next to her backpacking tent on the JMT
BFT Founder Kristen on the JMT in 2014

Where to Camp on the John Muir Trail

Hiking all 211 miles of John Muir Trail takes around 20 days, which means you’ll also get to spend around 20 nights sleeping under the stars. Campsites along the JMT are generally excellent and plentiful so don’t stress too much about finding a spot to sleep each night. Of course, some options are more spectacular than others so we’ve collected our favorite campsites into one post: 15 Best John Muir Trail Campsites

So what makes a great campsite?

First, it should be a previously established tent site that is more than 100ft away from any water source. We’ll discuss more about Leave No Trace on the JMT in the following section.

Second, it should be flat. There’s nothing more annoying than rolling downhill all night.

Third, it should be quiet. With so many campsites in so much wilderness, you should not have to listen to somebody snoring in their tent a few yards away.

Fourth, it should be near water. On the JMT, this requirement is usually easy. The trail crosses countless lake basins and you’ll rarely be far from water for more than a mile or two. Even if there’s not a lake or creek right by your campsite, you’ll likely be able to fill up in the late afternoon before you strike camp. Just be sure to follow LNT principles and set your tent up at least 100ft away from water sources.

A backpacker tent set up at 1000 Islands Lake on the JMT
Camping at 1000 Islands Lake (on a rocky ledge >100ft away from the lake) | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Beyond the basic requirements, the best campsites are the ones that afford spectacular views of sunsets, moonrises, the Milky Way, sunrises, or all of the above. But while we all love a wide-open vista, keep in mind that if it’s stormy, you’ll want some protection from the wind and lightning. The only thing worse than a tilted tent is having to listen to your tent flapping around you all night. Exponentially worse is worrying about your tent being struck by lightning! If storms are threatening, seek a low spot for your tent, perhaps in the trees, but always check for dead branches and debris that might fall onto your tent in a storm. 

When looking for a campsite, keep in mind that while you can often spot tent sites along the trail, you might not have much privacy here as other hikers will be walking right by your tent. But if you explore a little off the trail, you’ll be sure to find many more site options a short distance away that will be much quieter. When exploring away from the trail, be sure to keep your bearings so you can find your way back! 

With so many site options on the JMT, there’s no need to create new tent sites. See our next section on Leave No Trace for guidelines on how to enjoy the wilderness without marring the experience for others.

a tent set up near Palisade Crest on the John Muir Trail
a campsite above Palisade Crest on the JMT

How To Leave No Trace on the John Muir Trail

You know that old saying, “take only photos, leave only footprints”? Well if at all possible, avoid even leaving footprints! Ideally, after you’ve hiked the John Muir Trail, there should be no sign that you were ever there. That’s the ethos encouraged by the seven core principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics

  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Camp on hard and durable surfaces
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts
  • Respect wildlife
  • Be considerate of other visitors

With so many people enjoying the Sierra’s pristine wilderness and untouched landscapes on the John Muir Trail, it’s important that everybody do their part to preserve this wilderness for future visitors. The JMT passes through high alpine environments, which are incredibly rugged but also incredibly delicate. A few LNT techniques to keep in mind when hiking the JMT:

  • Always set your tent up on an existing tent site. There are many established campsites on the JMT – you should not create new sites or set your tent up on vegetation. 
  • Always camp at least 200 feet from water. Creeksides and lakeshores are easily eroded and often vegetated and you may be blocking wildlife’s access to water sources. 
  • Scatter dishwater. Also, do not dump food waste or food particles in creeks or lakes. 
  • Never use soap in creeks. You shouldn’t need soap on your hike, save the weight and leave it at home. A fingernail brush can do wonders for dirty hands, feet and lower legs, no soap needed. 
  • If you want to swim in the many alpine lakes on the JMT, avoid slathering on sunscreen or lotion before you jump in. 
  • Pack out all garbage, including toilet paper. Do not burn or bury anything. Used toilet paper can be bagged in dog waste bags (bring a roll, they are light and durable) and then double bagged in a ziplock bag. On Mount Whitney hikers are required to use wag bags for solid waste. You can pick up a wag bag at the Crabtree Meadows Ranger Station before you begin your climb up Whitney. 
  • On the rest of the JMT, pee at least 100 feet away from water sources, and step well away from the trail and campsites. To poop, walk at least 100 feet away from water sources, the trail and campsites, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep (carry a lightweight trowel for digging, sticks are not sufficient tools), and bury your waste, taking care to leave the surface unmarked as much as possible. Pack out all toilet paper. 
  • Do not build rock cairns or leave trail markers. 
  • Do not cache food anywhere on trail (this is not an appropriate way to resupply). 
  • All JMT hikers are required to carry and use an approved bear canister.
  • Keep a clean camp. Store all food and scented items in your bear canister unless actively eating. Mice, skunks, and bears are all attracted to human food smells. 
  • Fires are only allowed in a few areas on the JMT but consider going fire-free on your trek to conserve limited wood resources and reduce the potential for forest fires. California is a tinder box! 

Remember that Leave No Trace is not black and white but about making the best possible decision to minimize our impact in the specific environment and circumstances that we are in. Not a set of do’s and don’ts, but a set of guidelines to help us leave the places we visit as good or even better than we found them.

A man sits at camp at Marie Lakes on the John Muir Trail
Always camp in existing campsites, at least 100ft away from water | Photo credit: Mary Caperton Morton

Additional JMT Resources, Maps, & Guidebooks

The John Muir Trail is a legendary route that has ferried people through the rugged heart of the Sierra for thousands of years (originally as the Nüümü Poyo). Much has been written about the JMT and the Sierra by many poets and adventurers from Muir himself into the modern day. 

For a comprehensive reading list of all things JMT, check out our post on the Best John Muir Trail Maps, Books, Apps and Resources, from Muir’s classic Wilderness Essays to Elizabeth Wenk’s John Muir Trail Guidebook to the best paper maps and apps to help plot and track your route. 

What else do you want to know about hiking the John Muir Trail? Do you have any additional John Muir Trail planning tips or advice? Let us know in the comments below!

Embark on an epic journey through the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains with our ultimate guide to planning your John Muir Trail adventure! From essential gear to permits and resupply strategies, we've got you covered with expert tips and insider insights. Start planning your dream hike today!

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24 Comments

  1. Even after you trimmed back your gear it seems you had a lot of heavy stuff. What did your pack weigh full up with food, fuel, and water?

    1. Keith – My pack weighed about 40 pounds with 7 days of food and 3 liters of water. I’ve since upgraded some of my gear (tent/sleeping pad/etc) with some lighter options that I will be posting soon. And if you have recommendations on how to cut down, I’m all ears! -Kristen

  2. Great writeup! Thinking about doing the JMT, and a few questions come up in my mind. I’m naturally a (very) fast hiker, so I was thinking a solo 7-10 day trip, but then I was thinking of taking a friend (which would slow the pace significantly). The food part is interesting, as I always make my own healthy snacks in the dehydrator (jerky, fruit, smoothie leathers, etc… with the exception of a few specific healthy bars), but I can arrange to have someone ship food to me if I’m on a long trip. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Paul – I suggest you check out my resupply post for questions about food https://bearfoottheory.com/john-muir-trail-resupply/. I think 7-10 days is doable…for me, however, that would be rushed. I’d only do it that way if you really don’t have the extra time to spare. it’s so pretty, you want to be able to have the time to enjoy it. Keep me posted either way and hope you are able to do it!

  3. Hi Kristen! I love that you have a section on your site dedicated to the John Muir Trail. I’ve recently begun my planning to hike the trail in September of next year and your posts are making this process so much easier, more fun and less nebulous. I do have a question about transporting gear via the airlines. I’m actually a pilot based in Houston so while I’ll be able to get to Fresno for free, we unfortunately don’t get any special treatment as far as our bags go. My ULA Circuit isn’t really durable enough to get thrown around by baggage handlers and there are things in my gear load out that you of course can’t carry on an airplane. What are your experiences when it comes to flying with your pack and gear?

    1. Hey Richard – Exciting news! And September is a great time to hike the JMT. I’ve flown with my pack and camping gear before. I usually tighten all the straps and then place it in one of the large plastic bags that they have at the check-in…never seemed to have a problem. The only thing that can’t go in checked bags (I believe) is fuel. So you’ll probably want to pick some up on your way to the trailhead. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions! Kristen

    2. Hi Richard! – I am actually in your same situation, flying in from Miami…so I just thought of an idea, we could do the plastic wraps that they have at the airports. I’ve never done those before but I did see them in a few airports and heard they charge between $10-15 for wrapping your luggage. I’ve seen people use this and it looks pretty safe and strong so i think I’ll just try that. Thanks for asking that question, I hadent thought abouth this part of the logistics! XD

  4. Hey Kristen! Awesome site and very informative and helpful in helping me plan my 2016 JMT hike! I have a couple questions that you could probably help with, it would be greatly appreciated! First, I would love to try the same route you took by starting at Sunrise/Tenya lakes trailhead, however, given the difficulty to obtain permits especially with a Donohue pass exit, I was thinking about trying to apply for a Sunrise lakes permit with an “exit” at Tuolumne, then trying to get a walkup permit from there, I don’t really mind missing most of the valley especially the huge climb, but I do want to at least go to Clouds Rest. My question is, how much better are your chances of getting a permit if you don’t apply for a permit to exit over Donahue pass? ie. Sunrise to Tuolumne. Is the trailhead quota of 20 the same no matter what? I was thinking I could even do the Sunrise lakes -Tuolumne section that way I wouldn’t miss Cathedral Lakes either, and then picking back up somewhere down around Devil’s Post Pile since the Inyo permits seem to be much easier to obtain. Also, I will be shipping my resupplys. but can I fly with my bear canister full of food or do I need to arrange that once I get to Cali? I am coming from the East coast, thanks for all the info! I follow your Instagram account as well, awesome pics!

  5. Hey Kirsten!

    What is a rough estimate of total cost to do the JMT? Flights, hotel, food, etc …everything. I know it will vary/person, but could you give me a good estimate? Thanks!

    1. Hey Jocilyn,

      I really can’t give you an estimate. I didn’t stay in hotels, didn’t have to fly or pay for any transportation. It’s also going to depend on what new gear you buy for the trip and how you choose to do food. Sorry I can’t be of better help here! Kristen

    1. Hey! Thanks so much! It’s great to get this kind of feedback. It’s what keeps me plugging away here. Sorry to hear about the fire, and I really hope you can finish up this year.

  6. Hi Kristen! First of all…I LOVE YOUR PAGE!! I told you this before on Instagram (@domi.bou) but its just sooooo helpful, so thank you!! Now I have a question for you (and I’m sorry if someone else already asked and you already answered, I tried to read everything but you got a lot of followers girl!) so, I am completing the permit application, and my doubt is the following: I wish to start at Happy Isles but I am also completing the other 3 options since it will obviously increase my chances to get a permit.I am wondering if it will be best to keep the same dates and change the entry trailheads or keep the trailhead as Happy Isles and change the dates? Also, if I change the dates for the 2nd and 3rd choice, they will obviously not coincide with the 24 weeks prior, since only the 1st choice will (I dont know if im explaining myself) Is that Ok? The whole permit thing is so confusing and stressful, Ive been reading about it for weeks and going crazy! I must have read your post on it like 5 times already haha Help me???? THANK YOU LOTS!!!!!

    1. Hi dominique –

      You want to use the same date and three different trailheads on your application. If you fail, then you try again the next day with the next start date. Hope that helps! Kristen

      1. Thank you Kristen!!!! You are awesomeee, thank you for helping all of us 🙂 🙂 Im insanely excited about this trip….so fingers crossed for that permit!!! Thanks again !

        1. Hey Dominique – Stoked for you and my fingers are crossed too! Come back and let me know how it goes. Cheers! Kristen

  7. Thanks so much for your detailed posts on your JMT experience! I use your website daily in planning my trip and it definitely helped me get my permit.

  8. Kirsten, I love your blog and have used it extensively. Thanks for the awesome info. I have a favor to ask of you! I have permits and I am all set to fly to California from Utah and begin this epic trip on June 22nd 2016 (start hiking June 23rd). I have two people joining me for the first of my three week trip. Everything for the trip is set to go, including food in buckets and ready to ship out. However, the girl who committed to join me for the last two weeks just barely bailed due to a job promotion! :0 You of anyone can understand how much time, energy, and money goes into planning a trip like this, which is why I am devastated at the thought of canceling my trip or at least coming home two weeks early.
    Is there anyway you can post or get the word out to fellow backpackers that I am more than happy to have someone random join me for either the whole trip or the last two weeks. I have permits for four people (so I have three extra for the last two weeks). It is killing me to think I won’t get to do this trip, but I really don’t want to go solo for the last two weeks. Thanks in advance! If you know anywhere else I should be posting this request to find someone interested, I’d love to know!

  9. Hi Kristen, I stumbled upon Bearfoot Theory today and am so excited and thrilled! I believe things align for a reason. 🙂
    I’m planning the JMT as one of my big adventures, but for work reasons I won’t be able to take 3 weeks off in a row. My maximum will be 2 weeks. I’m considering doing the JMT as 2 section hikes (1 section in August and 1 section in September) do you have recommendations of how to split it up into 2 “section hikes” or do you think it is comfortably do-able in 16 days (2 weeks off of work?)

    Second part of the question: before you thru-hiked the JMT, what was the longest amount of nights you spent on the trail in one trip?

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Tracy – Lots of people do the JMT in 2 weeks. If it were me, I would try to do it that way rather than 2 separate trips. The longest trip I’d been on before the JMT was 5 days.

  10. Kristen, love you site/page. I have always wanted to do the JMT. I don’t have much experience in multi night trips. Only have done a few. I’m a 70 yr old extreme dayhiker (per the dayhiker website). Have lots of 20-30 mile hikes under my belt. Twice a year I head out west for a week of national park hiking and typically log 80-110 miles. Always on my feet (95% solo), walking/hiking 2000 miles combined last several years. Would it be advisable for me to attempt to solo, or should I cajole a friend to also be insane. I have most of the gear for the JMT, as I’ve been collecting/preparing for a few years now. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. PS: I’ve done the GC rim to rim twice, at age 58 in August and 65 in September. Going for a trifecta at 70 this fall.

    1. Hi Mark! A lot of people start hiking the JMT solo and then meet hiking buddies on the trail. It’s a great experience either way – solo hiking or with a friend. If you do decide to hike solo, I recommend bringing an inReach mini in case of emergencies. Sounds like you have lots of adventures under your belt!

  11. Kristen, what a great site! I’m doing the JMT on September the 15th. I’m starting at the sunrise lake trailhead. I remember a blog where you said that you started there and parked you car about 4 days ahead so you didn’t have to start with a heavy pack. Where did you park your car? Do you think that would still work? I am also worried about resupply points at the end of the month. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for any help the you could offer me, I’m a newbie at this and could use you help, Keith