89.1 hr
Overview
The trail does go over several steep rocky passes, and lakes are abundant. It's hard to give a detailed description of the trail over 182+ miles, but you'll have steep ups, steep downs, long gradual ups, long graduals downs, and flat terrain here and there. There will be several river crossings, up to and including waist deep water. You're pretty much guaranteed a beautiful lake every few miles, with some of the most beautiful campsites you'll ever see. <br><br>Some of my favorite lakes that I camped at were, and would HIGHLY recommend fitting into your camping schedule: Virginia Lake, Marie Lake, Squaw Lake, and Thousand Islands Lake. There are more, but those 4 stand out in my mind because of how amazing they looked. The stars are AMAZING and the lakes are some of the least light polluted areas to see them, so if you plan your trip right, and you're not out there during a full moon, you'll be able to see the Milky Way and much more.<br><br>Places to resupply for long outings:<br><b>Lone Pine:</b><br>Has a small grocery store, pharmacy, and many restaurants including an all you can eat Chinese buffet. Lone Pine also has a great gear store, and cheap camping up Whitney Lortal Road, within walking distance of town. A hostel is also available.<br><br><b>Independence (via the Kearsarge Pass Trail):</b><br>Has a few restaurants, motels, and a gas station where you can resupply on limited items. There's also a post office for boxes.<br><br><b>Bishop (via Bishop Pass Trail):</b><br>Has big grocery stores like Smiths, and the local hostel is a must! Movie theatre, multiple gear stores, just about anything you need exists in Bishop. You'll want to get a hitch into town from South Lake, which a fairly easy alternative to the 25+ miles on foot. <br><br><b>Mammoth (via Reds Meadows bus):</b><br>Huge town, has everything you'll need. Bus fare was $8.00 for the round trip from Red's into town and back. Camping at Red's is about .5mi from a grocery store. Red's has pay showers, laundry, a restaurant and store. The Hiker b
Trail Stats
294.3 km
9332 m
4000 m
2269 m
—
Photos
Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana ssp. austrina) near Arrowhead Lake on John Muir Trail
Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana ssp. austrina) near Arrowhead Lake on John Muir Trail
McClure Meadow.
McClure Meadow.
Evolution Lake.
Evolution Lake.
View Towards Muir Pass.
View Towards Muir Pass.
One of the tarns just below Glen Pass.
One of the tarns just below Glen Pass.
Glen Pass
Glen Pass
I'd call this Hike intermediate from either direction, from Charlotte lake, it's Rocky a bit more technical than Rae's lake side. But if you made it to Glen Pass it'll be a piece a cake and it's spectacular
I'd call this Hike intermediate from either direction, from Charlotte lake, it's Rocky a bit more technical than Rae's lake side. But if you made it to Glen Pass it'll be a piece a cake and it's spectacular
Tarn just south of Glen Pass.
Tarn just south of Glen Pass.
The last view of Upper Rae Lake from the ascent to Glen Pass.
The last view of Upper Rae Lake from the ascent to Glen Pass.
Storm rolling over Mammoth Mountain as seen in Tuolumne Meadows
Storm rolling over Mammoth Mountain as seen in Tuolumne Meadows
Crossing Evolution Creek.
Crossing Evolution Creek.
View from Tuolumne River.
View from Tuolumne River.
Heart Lake looking towards Selden Pass
Heart Lake looking towards Selden Pass
Hiker on Glen Pass
Hiker on Glen Pass
One of Yosemite Nat'l Park's rangers at work!
One of Yosemite Nat'l Park's rangers at work!
Glen Aulin Falls
Glen Aulin Falls
Stream crossing below Arrowhead Lake in early September. Water can be knee high in early spring in big snow melt years.
Stream crossing below Arrowhead Lake in early September. Water can be knee high in early spring in big snow melt years.
Pyramid Peak through the trees on the John Muir Trail.
Pyramid Peak through the trees on the John Muir Trail.
Early morning on the ascend to Rae Lakes with Mount Clarence King towering high above.
Early morning on the ascend to Rae Lakes with Mount Clarence King towering high above.
Diamond Peak east of South Fork Woods Creek with its treeless western flank.
Diamond Peak east of South Fork Woods Creek with its treeless western flank.
Muir Hut on Muir Pass.
Muir Hut on Muir Pass.
A wildflower meadow near South Fork Woods Creek.
A wildflower meadow near South Fork Woods Creek.
One of the Rae Lakes.
One of the Rae Lakes.
Rae Lakes from Glen Pass.
Rae Lakes from Glen Pass.
East Vidette from the switchbacks past the junction with Kearsage Pass Trail.
East Vidette from the switchbacks past the junction with Kearsage Pass Trail.
DSC_0278
DSC_0278
Dollar Lake from its western shore
Dollar Lake from its western shore
From Bear Ridge, looking up Bear Creek in direction of Selden Pass.
From Bear Ridge, looking up Bear Creek in direction of Selden Pass.
Sunset at Wanda Lake.
Sunset at Wanda Lake.
The view gets better and better as you approach Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.
The view gets better and better as you approach Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.
An early morning ascent of Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite rewards you with this view.
An early morning ascent of Donohue Pass on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite rewards you with this view.
More views along the Tuolumne River.
More views along the Tuolumne River.
Upper San Joaquin River Canyon from High Trail. Thousand Island Lake is behind the last small dome in the canyon, just above the center of the picture.
Upper San Joaquin River Canyon from High Trail. Thousand Island Lake is behind the last small dome in the canyon, just above the center of the picture.
Arrowhead Lake is surrounded by green meadows.
Arrowhead Lake is surrounded by green meadows.
Flowers on the High Trail. Mammoth Mountain in the background.
Flowers on the High Trail. Mammoth Mountain in the background.
Arrowhead Lake with Mount Clarence King in the background.
Arrowhead Lake with Mount Clarence King in the background.
Woods Creek suspension bridge crossing.
Woods Creek suspension bridge crossing.
Looking north into the Wanda Lake Basin.
Looking north into the Wanda Lake Basin.
The outskirts of Arrowhead Lake.
The outskirts of Arrowhead Lake.
July 2018 JMT thru hike. Palisade Lake
July 2018 JMT thru hike. Palisade Lake
Hiking past Helen Lake.
Hiking past Helen Lake.
Lyle Canyon in the background.
Lyle Canyon in the background.
The Duck Lake Trail joins the John Muir Trail.
The Duck Lake Trail joins the John Muir Trail.
July 2018 JMT thru hike. Evolution Lake
July 2018 JMT thru hike. Evolution Lake
Rosemarie Meadow.
Rosemarie Meadow.
Top of Glen Pass, looking south over the High Sierra's. Absolutely stunning views from here.
Top of Glen Pass, looking south over the High Sierra's. Absolutely stunning views from here.
Just north of Rae Lakes with Glenn Pass, and accompanying peaks in the background
Just north of Rae Lakes with Glenn Pass, and accompanying peaks in the background
Enjoy gorgeous views of Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from Island Pass on the John Muir Trail.
Enjoy gorgeous views of Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from Island Pass on the John Muir Trail.
Looking from High Trail across the upper portion of the San Joaquin River Canyon.
Looking from High Trail across the upper portion of the San Joaquin River Canyon.
Hiking along the JMT in Evolution Basin.
Hiking along the JMT in Evolution Basin.
San Joaquin River as it runs out of Thousand Island Lake
San Joaquin River as it runs out of Thousand Island Lake
Top of Glen Pass, looking north/east towards the Rae Lakes.
Top of Glen Pass, looking north/east towards the Rae Lakes.
View of East Vidette Peak on the trail between Junction Meadow and Charlotte Lake
View of East Vidette Peak on the trail between Junction Meadow and Charlotte Lake
Fin Dome dominates the view as you enter the Rae Lakes Basin.
Fin Dome dominates the view as you enter the Rae Lakes Basin.
Shadow Lake in hanging valley above deeply glaciated canyon of San Joaquin River with Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak in center right.
Shadow Lake in hanging valley above deeply glaciated canyon of San Joaquin River with Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak in center right.
Dollar Lake with Fin Dome in the background
Dollar Lake with Fin Dome in the background
Saphire Lake with Mt. Darwin in the background.
Saphire Lake with Mt. Darwin in the background.
Evolution Lake glimmers in the sun with the main campsite in the foreground. Mt. Mendel and Mt. Darwin command the skyline on the right side.
Evolution Lake glimmers in the sun with the main campsite in the foreground. Mt. Mendel and Mt. Darwin command the skyline on the right side.
Fin Dome from John Muir Trail
Fin Dome from John Muir Trail
Looking back down the valley on the John Muir Trail with Pyramid Peak, Window Peak, and Castle Domes in the far.
Looking back down the valley on the John Muir Trail with Pyramid Peak, Window Peak, and Castle Domes in the far.
Arrowhead Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Marie Lake from Selden Pass
Marie Lake from Selden Pass
Evolution Basin.
Evolution Basin.
July 2018 - JMT thru hike. A beautiful sunrise from our camp at Sallie Keyes lakes
July 2018 - JMT thru hike. A beautiful sunrise from our camp at Sallie Keyes lakes
Center Peak, East Vidette, Deerhorn Mountain, West Vidette (from left to right).
Center Peak, East Vidette, Deerhorn Mountain, West Vidette (from left to right).
Thousand Island Lake shines a deep blue on the approach along the John Muir Trail.
Thousand Island Lake shines a deep blue on the approach along the John Muir Trail.
Sapphire Lake: Sunset on Mt. Huxley and Mt. Fisk above Sapphire Lake in the Evolution Basin, High Sierra, California.
Sapphire Lake: Sunset on Mt. Huxley and Mt. Fisk above Sapphire Lake in the Evolution Basin, High Sierra, California.
Evolution Lake at the north end of Evolution Basin.
Evolution Lake at the north end of Evolution Basin.
The lowest of the Rae Lakes in front of Glen Pass.
The lowest of the Rae Lakes in front of Glen Pass.
View from the final ascent to Glen Pass. You can see Diamond Peak and Black Mountains, and get glimpse of the Rae Lakes.
View from the final ascent to Glen Pass. You can see Diamond Peak and Black Mountains, and get glimpse of the Rae Lakes.
Overlooking Charlotte Lake and Charlotte Creek water shed to the northwest. Beautiful spot!
Overlooking Charlotte Lake and Charlotte Creek water shed to the northwest. Beautiful spot!
The middle Rae Lake with Glen Pass in the far.
The middle Rae Lake with Glen Pass in the far.
Sapphire Twilight: Mt. Fisk, Mt. Huxley, and Sapphire Lake at twilight. Evolution Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California.
Sapphire Twilight: Mt. Fisk, Mt. Huxley, and Sapphire Lake at twilight. Evolution Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California.
These formations in Lyell Canyon make for great swimming holes along the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.
These formations in Lyell Canyon make for great swimming holes along the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park.
Fin Dome from the PCT.
Fin Dome from the PCT.
Rae Lakes, Pacific Crest Trail, Kings Canyon National Park.
Rae Lakes, Pacific Crest Trail, Kings Canyon National Park.