John Muir Trail
Sierra Nevada, CA
Elevation Profile
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Waypoints
Happy Isles Trailhead
Start from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. Permit required.
3,999 ft
Tuolumne Meadows
Major resupply point. Tuolumne Meadows store and post office.
8,599 ft
Muir Pass
One of the highest passes on the JMT. Historic Muir Hut at the summit.
11,998 ft
Forester Pass
Highest point on the JMT/PCT at 13,153 feet. Snow through late July.
13,153 ft
Mount Whitney Summit
Southern terminus. Highest point in the lower 48 at 14,505 feet.
14,505 ft
Route Details
Distance
210.9 mi
Elevation Gain
43,999 ft
Elevation Loss
45,000 ft
Max Elevation
13,153 ft
Estimated Days
21
Trailhead
Happy Isles Trailhead (Yosemite Valley)
Best Season
Late July through September. Snow on passes in early July. Permits extremely competitive—apply early.
Permit Required
Yosemite wilderness permit required. Whitney Portal permit separate. Both through recreation.gov.
About This Route
The John Muir Trail is one of the most celebrated long-distance trails in the United States, spanning 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney through the heart of the Sierra Nevada. The trail traverses some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the continent—granite peaks, crystalline lakes, flower-filled meadows, and deep river canyons. Most thru-hikers complete the JMT northbound (Whitney to Yosemite) in 17-25 days. The trail crosses 11 major passes above 11,000 feet, with the highest being Forester Pass at 13,153 feet. Snow lingers on north-facing slopes and passes well into July, making late July through September the sweet spot for most hikers. Permits are required and highly competitive. Yosemite trailhead quotas fill within minutes when released six months in advance. Whitney Portal permits require a separate lottery. Many hikers avoid the permit crunch by starting from Tuolumne Meadows or another interior Yosemite trailhead. Food canisters are required throughout much of the route. Bears are common, water sources are abundant but all require treatment, and afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in August. The JMT is a transformative wilderness experience that rewards careful planning.
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