My friend and I want to hike the JMT from Mammoth Mountain to the Yosemite Valley. We can each get 7 days off of work, so we thought this 50+ mile section would be perfect. We are trying to get permits for Shadow Creek to go northbound and end in Yosemite. We are still trying to get permits, but they only have walk up slots left. Any recommendations for a different entry points to get permits for in the Inyo National Forest? We are fine to add on around 10+ more miles.

Hi - I have a SOBO permit from Tuolumne Meadows departing 8/15 and to keep my pack light(er) would love to arrange a resupply drop at Kearsarge Pass. But I understand the cost is $450 for one drop of up to 90 pounds. I’m wondering if I can somehow connect with 2-5 other hikers planning to be at the same location on the same day so we can share in costs, and if so how this is arranged?

Got my permits this morning for a section hike of JMT! Those things went fast!

Past Reds Meadows, averaging close to 10ish miles per day, I’m looking for itinerary suggestions. Also, we want to go to Clouds Rest and are wary about the steep down climb. Does anyone have any beta on that descent? How bad is that descent on 60yo knees with a backpack? Thanks!

Hey everybody, I’m looking at heading northbound in August. This is my first morning trying to get a permit. Cottonwood was the trailhead I was considering, but with it being so desirable, I’m wondering if anyone has any other trailhead they suggest that might be easy to get a permit for.

Looking to start o/a 17 June, but only walk up permits or available.

What’s the chance of getting a walk up on the early shoulder of the season?

Don’t want to travel 10ths for a bust?

I hiked the JMT in 2022 from Happy Isle to Whitney and never spoke with a ranger. I have an Inyo (South Lake entry) permit (non-whitney exit specific) for this summer. If we get down to Whitney and are low on food and time … can we duck out at Whitney Portal (not camping in the zone) and be semi-legal? What are the odds and the consequences of getting busted?

I think it would be very useful and educational for there to be a thorough explanation of the different ways to acquire a NOBO JMT permit from Cottonwood, Kennedy Meadows, Whitney Portal, etc. Would anyone with a successful experience please clarify which permits are viable for a NOBO thru-hike of the JMT all the way to Yosemite. Thank you Redditors! - P

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Edit 2: a thin sock covered by a neoprene sock covered by breathable non waterproof mid height hiking shoes covered by Gators on my current plan based on this YouTube I discovered: https://youtu.be/mDt4yYhL7oY?si=eTCqdF6nSha1rBu4[cold wet backpacking boot and sock system](https://youtu.be/mDt4yYhL7oY?si=eTCqdF6nSha1rBu4)

Edit1: I didn't mean to miss the word winter. I was using the term that a mountain guide taught me during our June attempt up Mount Rainier. It's June, which is the summer. But usually snow covers this JMT until mid July, so that's what I plan to tolerate until it gets closer.

And no, you don't need to

Got a June 23-July 17 Thru-Hike of the John Muir Trail planned. I have a question about which footwear. I backpacked 2 months straight on the Appalachian Trail during the summer and used Altra Trail Runners the whole time.

I've also done the Mount Rainier in WA, and Long's Peak in CO.

I'm anticipating being on all or mostly snow the entire John Muir Trail thru-hike this summer since I hear snow generally doesn't melt until mid July. And yes, I know the amount of snowfall we get varies each year. A ranger in Yosemite told me to expect temperatures in the 30s. So I'm assuming both frozen snow and slushy snow.

So here's my question. Assuming I'm on all snow for a large portion of the thru-hike. What's my recommended foot protection? I usually prefer to avoid waterproof anything because quick drying is way better than waterproof 95% of the time. Because if it's wet around you, you're pretty much always going to get wet inside your shoes/boots... just because it's almost impossible to keep moisture that's present on the outside of your shoes.

But I wonder if I'll freeze my toes. If it changes your answer, I generally get cold in my extremities very easily, so I really want to do a good job with keeping warm. If possible, I'd prefer to keep dry, but I'm not sure if that's possible.

Anyone done a winter thru-hike? And if so, how did you keep your feet dry? So far my only good idea is base layer regular socks, thin waterproof layer socks over that, then regular trail runners. And three pairs of socks to rotate out of my armpits to have as dry of socks as possible at all times.

I would LOVE anyone's experience to help me make this decision, because once I'm out in the mountains for 3 weeks I won't have an easy time changing out my footwear.

IDK, maybe I should just accept that I'm going to be wet, stick with the waterproof boots and then at least have a wet INSIDE layer that's separated from the wet outside?

Obviously I'm guessing gators can help, but I'm assuming they still won't keep SOME moisture out.

Temperatures will be roughly 30s F during the day and below freezing at night

I'm hoping to hike SOBO with friends for 5-10 days in early September. I'm trying to find an exit point where I could get to an airport without too much hassle and cost. If such a place doesn't exist, I probably won't try for a permit, so I'm trying to plan ahead on transportation now.

It seems like one place I could leave the trail and make it back to an airport is Vermillion Valley Resort, since they have shuttles to Fresno. However, the price tag is (understandably) high for a single person, and less if there are more people on the shuttle. For anyone who has taken the VVR shuttle to Fresno, was it easy/do you think it would be easy to find another person leaving on the same day who wants to take the shuttle with you? I.e. are there enough people at the resort in September that it's very likely one or more people will be shuttling to Fresno on the same day as I am? Or maybe you found the front desk is willing to connect you with hikers leaving on the same day so you can negotiate departure time with each other?

Of course I won't know for sure til I try, but since cost of transportation is a deciding factor of whether I can do this trip, I'm researching as much as I can. Really appreciate any insight you have.

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit lost on Cottonwood pass/Lakes permit on recreation.gov for a reservation for the JMT NOBO.

First if I want to hike all the way to Yosemite Valley I should put « Happy Isles - Yosemite Valley (Exit Only) Yosemite NP - YOS01 » as an exit point right ?

Then they ask me the length of my trip and my first night campground is mandatory.

If I want to sleep in Rock creek area, is SEKI - Rock Creek (84) is the correct selection ?

Or if I want to sleep in Soldier Lake (starting from either Cottonwood Pass via a small PCT section or Cottonwood Lakes by New Army Pass), what should I choose ? Don’t find anything about soldier lake in the selection.. or could it be SEKI - Army Pass (85) ?

Is there anyone to check this ? or is it possible to change your mind for campground at last minute (as long as you enter by the correct Pass).

Thank you for your help

Dear all,

I need some help with permits and trail planning for the JMT. I recently had the idea of trekking the JMT and applied for a permit in the lottery. However, I picked the wrong trailhead but won the lottery. Now, I do have a permit to start at Yosemite Creek but I am not sure how I can use the permit the best. As far as I understand now, I cannot pass the Donohue Pass with that permit.

1. is that correct?

My idea was now that I start at the Yosemite Creek and head towards the Tuolumne Meadows, e.g., along the Tioga road, or via ten lakes and north of Tuolumne peak. However, afterwards, I would need to exit Yosemite via Parker pass / Koip pass and get onto JMT at Garnet Lake. My questions:

2. is that possible with the permit for Yosemite Creek trailhead?

3. do I need further permits for outside Yosemite?

4. would you recommend that option or is Donohue an absolute must-see for the JMT?

Thanks for you help, A European lost in the NPS jungle

Hi everyone,

I’m an international hiker traveling from France and I plan to do the JMT NOBO starting from Cottonwood Pass/Lakes this year in August/September (after failed few years to get a SOBO permit). I’m planning 23 days on the trail max and would be happy to not rush through it as some place look so beautiful. I will to flew to San Francisco I guess 6 days before my start, visit a bit then do SF-Reno, Reno-Lone Pine on the next day, then shuttle to the trailhead.

My biggest issue (along with handling altitude sickness first few days) is the food resupply. This is where I would need help.

I listed my possibilities :

- exit from Kearsarge Pass, I guess on day 6, hitchhike to Independence then come back same way. I checked on a Google maps and it seem that there is only a really small supermarket right ? I was thinking to take all freeze-dried meal for 12-13 days and to resupply only in snacks/tortilla and stuff like that there. But I’m not sure it’s worth it. I don’t mind the extra mileage cause the pass/lakes look amazing but maybe I would gain a day going straight and avoid the possibility of struggle to hitchhike.

— next is Muir trail ranch. It was my first choice for a big resupply but they say UPS/Fedex don’t deliver to their location !? Is any international hiker ever tried with another postal service ? I am a bit skeptical also to have my bucket stuck in customs. I could send food first/second day after arriving in the US but I’m afraid it could be short on time (would be 16-17 days in I guess and they ask to allow 3 weeks)

— after there is VVR that could be send via UPS/FedEx or USPS just after I arrived in the US and timing could be good as they ask to allow 2 week. My only issue is it arrive quite late on mileage.

— complementary solution I heard is to take 12-13 days of food and to put excess food from bear canister, in bear box at camping, first 3-4 nights. It could be a solution but involved to have a crazy loaded pack at the beginning. I would have to get informed about where are the bear box location as well.

I’m not particularly worried on the last stretch I could have a meal and some small resupply in Red Meadow or Tuolumne Meadows.

What is my best best from your experience ? Is there is testimony from international hikers that had sent food prior to be in the US ? please give me your feedback !

Thank you for any help

When is the best time to hike this trail? How long does it take? Also is it best to do this with a partner/group. Currently looking into this a little more. Feedback is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hello all! I want to hike the JMT this summer and have been researching the permit system. I read the excellent article on The Trek site about "How to Get a Permit on the JMT." So my questions are:

1. The article says, "Most people will obtain their permit from either Yosemite National Park or Inyo National Forest. Each agency recognizes permits issued by other agencies for travel that crosses national park or national forest boundaries as long as travel remains within the trail system." Question: Does this mean I can actually get four chances to get a permit, by applying to all four national parks/forests? I would just have to start my hike at that section of the trail.
2. The JMT forms part of the Pacific Crest Trail. So...could I just apply for a Pacific Crest Trail permit, and use that?
3. Are permits transferable? Is there a secondary market for permits?
4. How often are permits checked? And if perchance someone just decided to hike and forgo the whole permit hassles...what might happen?

Thanks all.

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Hi Everyone, Flamingo here. The American Long Distance Hiking Association West is hosting three upcoming Ruck events. These day-long events are designed for all backpackers (from novice to expert) to prepare themselves for the hiking season. It's a great place to prepare for your upcoming John Muir Trail hike, talk to experts, get advice on gear, maps, training, and more.

• Saturday Jan 20, El Cerrito, CA
• Saturday Feb 24, Stevenson, WA
• Saturday Mar 23, Wheat Ridge, CO

Highlights:

• Invited Speakers, topics include resupply, gear, training, and more
• Personalized Pack Shakedowns -- bring your kit, and get expert advice to swap gear and carry less.
• Trail-specific small group sessions -- get help planning for the PCT, JMT, Tahoe Rim Trail, Ropers Sierra High Route, Camino de Santiago, and other trails.
• An amazing GEAR RAFFLE including ultralight backpacks, quilts, and tents from major UL brands. In my opinion, the gear raffle alone is worth attending. 📷
• Breakfast & Lunch, including vegan options

Registration is here: https://www.aldhawest.org/rucks

In full disclosure, I'm part of ALDHA-West, and I'm helping to organize the event. If you're curious about the ruck, feel free to private message me with questions. We've been organizing this event for many years; in my experience it's always been a FUN DAY surrounded by warm-hearted hiking community.

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https://preview.redd.it/x0jfo5njnq9c1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ba277352db96252e0f289d193ac2f4291d4b9d2

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Hello all, Having anxiety after last year’s high snow year. Does anyone know how accurate the snow depth map is on windy?

Does anyone know if the second lake in big pine lakes has trout?

Are there restrictions for fishing these lakes?