April 2, 2024
With spring upon us, hikers are busy planning for their upcoming John Muir Trail hikes this summer. We’ve updated our website to be a go-to resource so whether you’re tackling the full thru-hike or starting with your very first section, there is tons of valuable information all on one page.
The button above will take you to the hiking resource page on our website, or read below for a bit more info!
Hikers starting in Yosemite and heading south to Mt. Whitney will climb 46,000 feet over the length of the John Muir Trail!
Beneath the menu headings, you can expand the sections for overviews about a wide range of topics. Many sections also include links to external sites and blogs to provide additional resources and advice. For example, under the permit section, there are summaries with instructions and also links to each specific permit page; under food packing, you can follow links to personal hiker blogs that share their shopping, menu, and calorie strategies for the trail.
Especially important to us at the Conservancy are the sections on campsite selection and Leave No Trace. Our Conservancy is restoring a great deal of terrain along the JMT that has been damaged by heavy recreational use. Please stay out of restoration sites to allow them to recover. Additionally, be sure to camp at least 100 feet from water or trails, and never camp on vegetation. Pack out all of your garbage, including toilet paper, don’t use soap in or near any water sources, and dig bathroom catholes a minimum of 6 inches deep.
It’s up to all of us enjoying these places to be good visitors and stewards of the sensitive alpine environment!
“Of all the mountain ranges I have climbed,
I like the Sierra Nevada the best.”
– John Muir
