Yosemite Backpacking Trips

Backpacking - John Muir Trail - Itinerary

  • ABOUT THE TRIP:
    The John Muir Trail is one of the most famous trails in the world.  It is 211 miles long, beginning in Yosemite, following the spine of the Sierra Nevada south, and finishing on top of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States (14,495').  

    GROUP SIZE:  
    3-12 clients, 1-2 guides

    GRADE:
    Strenuous. On-trail backpacking on uneven terrain with steep grades. These trips are similar in character to those in the difficult category, but are longer in duration. This significantly compounds both the physical and mental challenges of the trip. Because these types of trips have a required mileage to complete each day, the level of commitment is high. These trips spend significant time at higher elevations.

    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 gear list, directions, and this itinerary.

    MEALS:
    All meals are provided while in the backcountry.  We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.

    COST OF THE TRIP: Tier pricing allows us to guarantee small group departures as well as pass along larger group savings to our guests

    $3450.00 pp group size 11-12
    $3850.00 pp group size 8-10
    $4250.00 pp group size 4-7
    (Note: Small group surcharge on groups of 3 people $745.00 in addition to smallest tier).

    Single supplements: $100.00 per person on requested single and $75.00 for forced.

    Cost of the trip includes shared lodging the last night in Lone Pine, all meals while in the back country, all camping/backpacking gear, 4 remote food drops, canping at Vermillion Resort mid-trip, guides, permits, round trip ferry crossing at lake Edison, van shuttle from trailhead to Lone Pine and Lone Pine to Fresno airport, the following day.  It also includes 1 group shuttle from  Fresno airport on Day 1 to campground in Tuolumne

    NOT INCLUDED:
    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 outside of 1 scheduled shuttle early afternoon of day 1 from Fresno airport, tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee). Optional, but highly recommended trip cancellation insurance.

    PREPARATION:  
    Hike, hike, and hike some more. 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 (40- 50 lbs), and hiking stadium bleachers up & down.  Reading “The Guide to the John Muir Trail” by Thomas Winnett may also be helpful.

    23-DAY ITINERARY:

    Day 1: Arrive at Tuolumne Campground by 6 PM to meet your guide(s) for an orientation and gear check. Extra luggage can be stored with the support guide, who will be present. We will provide 1 group shuttle typically  early afternoon (between 1-2pm) leaving Fresno airport to Tuolumne Meadows. Please try to book flights to arrive around this time.

    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.

  • Please call the SYMG office with any questions ~ 800 231-4575

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