Hike the Famous John Muir Trail
Follow in the footsteps of one of the world's most iconic conservationists
The John Muir Trail is one of America’s most famous and celebrated hiking trails, and for good reason! The trail’s namesake, John Muir, is widely recognized as “the father of the national parks,” and is arguably history’s most influential conservationist.
The trail follows the spine of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney (the highest summit in the continental United States). Every section of this trail is stunning, with expansive views and dramatic mountain scenery.
We offer a variety of trips that follow the John Muir Trail, from 5-day hikes to 3-week adventures. We invite you to peruse the options below, and find the right John Muir Trail hike for you. And as always, feel free to call us 7 days a week at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more or book your spot today!
All John Muir Trail Hikes Trips (6 results)
WHY HIKE THE JOHN
MUIR TRAIL WITH WILDLAND?
Remarkable Online Reviews
Serving over 10,000 guests through hiking and backpacking tours worldwide, Wildland Trekking has created a name in the outdoor industry. Our reviews speak for themselves, proving our remarkable status in leading outdoor adventures aiming to surpass our guests’ expectations. Check out our TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, Facebook, and Trust Pilot for countless trusted reviews.
Delicious Meals & Top-Shelf Gear
From the first breakfast on day one to the lunch on the trip’s final day, guest meals routinely receive rave reviews. We accommodate nearly any dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and kosher. Even on the full John Muir thru-hike, we handle all of the resupply and cooking every day.
Most of the gear needed for our trips is provided, including your backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles and more. And we only source from premier outdoor gear manufacturers. Sleeping bags are professionally laundered after every trip, and all other gear is cleaned after every trip.
All-inclusive Tours
- We firmly believe that offering our guests the utmost service and care is the greatest way to ensure their satisfaction. A wonderful benefit of joining a guided John Muir Trail trip is being free of concerns about the details, allowing guests to revel in the experience. For this reason, we provide most meals, gear, transportation, permits, reservations and so much more.
WHY HIKE THE JOHN
MUIR TRAIL WITH WILDLAND?
Fantastic Hiking Guides
We focus on hiring the right people, giving them outstanding training, supporting them to excel, and fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and integrity. Our guides know the John Muir Trail’s history, geology, and natural surroundings. Our team of professionals makes guests feel at home and safe in novel and diverse environments.
Safety Is Our #1 Priority
The John Muir Trail hosts its share of natural hazards, like any good outdoor adventure. At Wildland, we take these dangers very seriously and go to great lengths to ensure the safety of the entire trip is our number one priority. All our guides are certified Wilderness First Responders or EMTs and trained on Wildland’s field and medical protocols. All trips are serviced with a satellite phone or GPS emergency locator (sometimes both), and extensive, company-issued first aid kits. We have a 24-hour emergency line that guests, family members, and guides can call at any time to connect with a Wildland manager.
More information about the john muir trail
Where is the John Muir Trail?
This famous hiking trail is located in California. It runs through the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range beginning in Yosemite Valley and ending at Mount Whitney. The trail passes through several national parks including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.
Length of John Muir Trail
The John Muir Trail, The JMT, stretches 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states. This notable trail overlaps with the Pacific Crest Trail for most of its length.
How Long Does it Take to Hike the Entire John Muir Trail?
Depending on the hiker’s pace, experience, and trail conditions, the average time to hike the JMT is 14-21 days. With good hiking conditions, this averages 10-12 miles a day. Hikers should understand their level of fitness, experience, and the time of the year to get a solid base for how long it will personally take them.
How to Hike the John Muir Trail?
Decide if you want to hike the trail north to south or south to north. Most hikers choose south to north to allow the snow to melt. Less snow means less involved hiking conditions and more options for camping.
Your start time earlier in the summer or later will ultimately be determined by if and when you get a permit. Meticulously organize your resupply points and gear. Let others know your plan and the dates you will be done in case of an emergency.
How to Resupply on the John Muir Trail?
Resupplies are crucial for a successful JMT hike due to its length and remoteness. There are many popular resupply points including Tuolumne Meadows, Vermillion Valley Resort, Onion Valley, and Muir Trail Ranch.
Hikers typically re-up every 5-7 days, (which is 2-4 times while on the trail) depending on pace and the amount of weight one is willing to carry. Hikers can mail packages to re-supply points ahead of time, have family and friends meet them in person with packages, or purchase supplies locally at re-up points. This is a crucial factor in thru-hiking and should not be overlooked. Do your research and plan!
The Best Time of Year to Hike the JMT
The prime weather window for the bustling trail is July through August. This allows the snow to melt, allowing for more comfortable bivvys, and easier stream crossings. Snagging a permit during this time will be more competitive, but not impossible.
The Mt. Rainier Inn trip with Wildland was perfect. The Inn was comfortable; the guide was an expert in his field; the pacing was just right to accommodate all those on the trip; the scenery was ideal. If you can go please do.
Top tips for visiting the JMT:
- Get permits well in advance, as they are limited and in high demand. Apply for a permit up to 24 weeks in advance online through Yosemite National Park via a lottery system.
- Pack light and smart. Go for lightweight, high-quality gear, and don’t leave behind the bear food canister. Bears are very common in this wilderness area and typically only bother trekkers when food is stored improperly. Always keep food in a bear canister.
- Prepare for altitude, weather, and the physicality of the hike. Dramatic changes in elevation and rugged terrain can create sore, tired bodies and temperamental weather conditions. Know that this will happen and have a game plan. Maybe add an extra day or two into your trip for a rest day or two days of less mileage.
- Have an emergency exit strategy. Accidents happen, people get injured, some just want to leave. It’s all part of the journey. It’s important to have a plan if this arises. Prepare by making a list of points along the trail where you could bail.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles. Pack it in and pack it out. Clean up any human waste and trash. Respect Mother Nature.
- For a more in-depth look at hiking the JMT check out our detailed blog post.