John Muir Trail Expedition Backpack
Guided Backpacking Trips
24 Days, 23 Nights 203MI / 327KM
Trip Highlights
The John Muir Trail (JMT) is one of the most iconic backpacking adventures in the USA, and in fact in the world. Our 24-day backpacking trek (includes two day hikes on the JMT in Yosemite) across the spine of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is a unique wilderness journey. We enjoy breathtaking views, alpine lakes, glaciers, pristine wilderness, waterfalls and more – all made much more achievable by our re-supplies that allow us to endeavor on such a grand adventure. Join us as we traverse 8 high-mountain passes, pass through three national parks and summit Mount Whitney (14,500’), the highest point in the continental United States. Award-winning guides, dialed logistics and world-class mountain scenery make the John Muir Trail the “trip of a lifetime!”
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World Famous Thru Hike
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Dramatic Mountain Scenery
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3 Weeks of Adventure
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Alpine Lakes
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Granite Peaks
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Stunning Views
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
24 Days, 23 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 13 miles -
Group Size
4-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip features long daily hiking distances with moderate to severe elevation gains and losses for multiple days in a row. Backpack weight is 45+ pounds, and elevations go up to over 14,000 feet. All of these details combined make this trip a clear Level 5 difficulty expedition. Be prepared for long, challenging days of hiking through absolutely gorgeous country day after day for 24 days.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1: Day Hike JMT, Yosemite Valley
- Drive Time: 2.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: Up to 5.5 miles
Your guide will pick you up at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel near the Fresno International Airport. We will shuttle into Yosemite National Park, stop to take in some famous views of Yosemite Valley and head out for a day hike on the John Muir Trail toward Vernal and Nevada Falls. After our hike, we will continue to our camp just outside Yosemite. Your guides will conduct an in-depth orientation, go over the route, check gear and answer questions. After the orientation we’ll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner and get a good night’s sleep in preparation for our first day of hiking!
Day 2: Day Hike JMT, Tuolumne Meadows
- Drive Time: 3 Hours
- Hiking Mileage: up to 6 miles
Today we will pack up and shuttle up to Yosemite’s stunning high country, Tuolumne Meadows for another short section of the John Muir Trail. Our day hike begins at the Lyell Canyon trail as we head southbound on the JMT along the Tuolumne River. After a few miles we will stop for a picnic along the Tuolumne prepared by your guide. After lunch we will head back toward the vehicle and take a short shuttle back to camp. Tonight, we will wrap up any loose ends and prepare for the long journey ahead.
Days 3-4: Clark Lakes, Thousand Island Lake & Shadow Creek
- Hiking Distance: 12 miles
The backpacking portion of the expedition begins with a shuttle to Rush Creek Trailhead and a climb toward Agnew Pass. Our first wilderness camp is established near Clark Lakes beneath the dramatic Ritter Range. The following day we travel through one of the most photographed sections of the Sierra, passing Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake before continuing to camp near Shadow Creek or Rosalie Lake. Rugged peaks, sparkling alpine lakes, and expansive mountain views make an unforgettable introduction to the John Muir Trail.
Days 5-7: Red's Meadow Resupply to Chief Lake
- Hiking Distance: 31.5 miles
We descend through Devil’s Postpile National Monument to Red’s Meadow, where we receive our first resupply and enjoy a brief opportunity to rest and reorganize before heading deeper into the backcountry. Leaving civilization behind, we climb into the heart of the John Muir Wilderness and make our way toward Duck Creek below Duck Lake. Continuing south, we’ll pass volcanic features near the Red Cones, traverse beautiful alpine terrain around Virginia Lake, and establish camp at scenic Chief Lake just north of Silver Pass. Resupply #1 (Day 5).
Days 8-12: Silver Pass, VVR, Selden Pass & Evolution Basin
- Hiking Distance: 43 miles
This stretch features some of the most iconic terrain on the northern half of the John Muir Trail. We begin by crossing Silver Pass and descending to Edison Lake and Vermilion Valley Resort for our second resupply. From there we tackle Bear Ridge, cross Selden Pass, and journey into the spectacular Evolution Valley. We’ll camp at McClure Meadow before moving higher into Evolution Basin, where a shorter day allows time to relax beside magnificent Evolution Lake and prepare for the next major mountain pass. Resupply #2 (Day 8) – snacks, drinks for purchase
Days 13-17: Muir Pass, Le Conte Canyon, Mather Pass, & Pinchot Pass
- Hiking Mileage: 51 miles
We climb past Evolution Lake to cross Muir Pass and visit the historic stone Muir Hut before descending into Le Conte Canyon for our third resupply. The route then ascends the famous Golden Staircase to Palisade Lakes and continues over Mather Pass, one of the crown jewels of the John Muir Trail. From Upper Basin we climb Pinchot Pass and traverse increasingly remote terrain before finishing this section at beautiful Arrowhead Lake. This portion of the route showcases some of the most rugged and dramatic mountain landscapes in the Sierra Nevada. Resupply #3 (Day 13).
Days 18-22: Glen Pass, Forester Pass, & Mt. Whitney
- Hiking Distance: 54.5 miles
The final wilderness section begins with a crossing of Glen Pass and a descent to Vidette Meadow for our last trail resupply. We then tackle Forester Pass, the highest point on the official John Muir Trail at 13,153 feet, before entering Sequoia National Park. Camping near Crabtree Meadows positions us for an early-morning summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,495 feet. After celebrating on the summit and returning to camp, we’ll hike onward to Rock Creek while reflecting on one of the defining accomplishments of the expedition. Resupply #4 (Day 18).
Day 23: Rock Creek to Cottonwood Pass
- Hiking Distance: 10 miles
Today we’ll get an early start for our final stretch of trail among the gorgeous Foxtail Pines. We’ll exit the high country via Cottonwood Pass in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Our shuttle will meet us at the trailhead to take us into the town of Lone Pine. A well-earned hot shower will be followed by a celebratory dinner together.
Day 24: Lone Pine to Fresno
- Drive Time: 5 hours
On our final day we will enjoy a comfortable shuttle back to the Fresno Airport (approximately 5-hour drive). Your guide will drop you off at Fairfield Inn or the Fresno Airport. Please don’t plan a flight before 3:00 pm.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day
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Final night’s lodging in Lone Pine, CA
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation originating and ending in Fresno, CA
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Bear canisters for food storage
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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All permits, entry fees, and agency fees
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost) Note: Gratuities for mule teams are included in the trip rate.
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
22 Nights TENT CAMPING
Guests on backpacking trips will have 1 person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line backcountry sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Delicious Backcountry cuisine
Meals from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day are included with your reservation and prepared by your guide. We don’t use pre-made backpacking meals, but instead, the guides build meals from a combination of trail friendly foods including packaged and fresh ingredients for delicious and hearty backcountry meals.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Best Western Frontier Motel
We wrap up our journey with a comfortable night at the Best Western Frontier Motel in Lone Pine, CA.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
This trip meets in Fresno, CA at 7:00 am on Day 1, after which we shuttle to Yosemite for a couple days of hiking and a pre-trip orientation meeting. The pickup location is the Fairfield Inn and Suites near the Fresno International Airport. Your guide will email you approximately 10 days prior to coordinate the rendezvous.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fresno, CA
Fresno International Airport is a convenient airport to fly into, and the starting and ending point of the trip (Fairfield Inn) is located across the street from the airport. Please arrive in Fresno well before 7:00 AM on Day 1 and don’t plan any departing flights on the final day before 3:00 PM.
Pre and Post Trip on request lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Fresno, CA as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
This tour begins at 7:00 AM at the Fairfield Inn and Suites near the Fresno International Airport on Day 1. On the final day we will be back into Fresno normally around 2:00 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time.)
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guide Shifts
High Sierra guides work daily shifts from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. During off hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the guides’ time is their own, and they are free to sleep, rest, take personal time, postpone guest requests until the next morning, and any other legal, reasonable activity people engage in when not working. We ask all guests to respect the guides’ off-duty hours by not waking or asking anything of them unless there is a true emergency. Also, state law requires that employees receive an uninterrupted 10 minute break every four working hours, so guides are required to take four 10 minute breaks between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Re-Supply Information
This trip has four resupplies on Day 5 (Red’s Meadow), Day 8 (VVR), Day 13 (LeConte Canyon), and Day 18 (Vidette Meadow). The first two are front country resupplies, where a Wildland staff member will meet us on the trail with your Bounce Boxes. Anything can be sent home (i.e. gear you want to drop or items you do not end up wanting from your Bounce Box) that will then meet us at the end of the trip.
– The second two are backcountry resupplies that will be delivered to us via horse pack on the trail. Your Bounce Box will NOT meet you there. However, you can send yourself approximately a quart sized bag/shoebox of items to restock. (For example, we might send ourselves: a fresh shirt, fresh socks and underwear, a travel sized toothpaste, and a sunscreen refill.) Anything can be discarded and sent off the trail with the horse packers, but these items will NOT be recovered at the end of the trip.
Reviews
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Tracy C
2 months agoFeeling grateful
Coming from Australia, it was comforting to know that everything was taken care off. The equipment provided was excellent and lightweight, the food was incredible, the guides were very experienced and knowledgeable and took good care of us. Completing the JMT was a 20 year bucket list item that I am so grateful got the opportunity to complete it.
Kevin H
3 months agoA fantastic Experience
Fabulous trip - not for everybody - Ethan is a consummate professional. His skill and leadership made the trip a fantastic experience.
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