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 212 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.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.
  • Cost of the Trip: $3,450.00 per person on group size 11-12
  • $3,850.00 per person on group size 8-10
  • $4,250.00 per person on group size 4-7
  • (Small group surcharge of $745.00 per person on group size of 3 people in addition to smallest tier).
  • Single Supplements: $100.00 per person on requested single. $75.00 on forced.
  • Your Cost Includes: Cost of the trip 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.
  • 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(which we can still help you arrange), tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee). Optional, but highly recommended trip cancellation insurance.
  • 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.

23 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.

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