Need instant inspiration? John Muir, the first president of the Sierra Club liked the idea of a long distance hiking trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Check out. Construction on the trail began in 1915 – a year after Muir’s death – and took 46 years to complete. It descends into Big Arroyo, then climbs up to the Chagoopa Plateau, and drops down again into the Kern River Canyon. It traverses Desolation Wilderness on the western flank, arguably one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the entire Sierra, and completes its loop over Echo Pass and Relay Peak. For many backpackers the rewards of hiking the John Muir Trail draw them back season after season. But … History of the John Muir Trail Theodore Solomons had dreamed of a High Sierra Hiking Trail dating back to 1884. Logistics can be a bit of an issue as the trail traverses from west to east, requiring a shuttle or two cars, but is short enough to backtrack should you want to extend the hike simplifying transport. The Sierra High Route runs parallel to most of the John Muir Trail, but isn’t actually a trail. The Tahoe Rim Trail circles Lake Tahoe and provides incredible views while weaving in and out of the impressive granite alpine peaks of the Northern Sierra. Take this quick quiz to find out which trek is really right for you. It is a much-less traveled route and is for the die-hard explorer, much like the Theodore Solomon Trail. The trail is usually hiked in July, August or September after most of the snowpack has melted. Compared to the John Muir Trail (JMT), the SoSHR is higher and more remote. Logistics are simpler as well, with no shuttling necessary, and the shorter version of the loop capable of being hiked in as little as 9 days. The snowpack was at similar levels in June 2017, when Sam Chaneles and his father thru-hiked the John Muir Trail. When the Sierra Club was formed in 1892, Solomons began advocating for the trail he had dreamed of. The Theodore Solomon Trail is a long, infrequently traveled point to point route that parallels the John Muir Trail but on the western flank of the Sierra. Map from High Sierra Kiwi. The John Muir Trail is a long-distance hiking trail in the High Sierra backcountry, named after famed naturalist, author and Sierra Club founder John Muir. My goal is to provide the inspiration and information you need to go outside and explore. Trans Sierra Trip: Colby Pass Trail, High Sierra Trail, John Muir Trail, Mount Whitney, PCT is a 74.9 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Hume, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. For 211 miles, the trail follows the Sierra Nevada mountain range from its southern terminus at Mount Whitney to its northern terminus at Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley. Whitney, the highest point of the contiguous US. Mist Trail vs. John Muir Trail. The trail leads from one spectacular region of the Sierra Nevada to another, passing through scenic alpine meadows, traversing high granite passes, and descending along tumbling mountain streams. The High Sierra Trail is a must-see for any serious backpacker. Si puedes realizar el John Muir du… It is a route for the true explorer who wants to get off the beaten path and possibly even get lost a few times along the way. Hike cross-country to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail. A first hand hike of the John Muir Trail. This loop traverses nothing but the best the High Sierra has to offer—even the starting trailheads are well-deserved camping destinations in their own right. Get this on your life list: It's the #1 trail our readers think every hiker should do. The TripOur trip explores the most magnificent scenery that Kings Canyon National Park and the John Muir Trail (JMT) have to offer. Once a well-kept secret of the rangers at Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the Circle of Solitude is a short but heavy-hitting loop of high alpine scenery, meadows, crystal clear lakes, and roaring rivers. Williamson Motel in Independence, CA. All products listed here are my top recommendations regardless of where you get them. If you want a big loop with incredible scenery but isn’t quite as intense or committing as the John Muir Trail, then the Tahoe Rim Trail is for you. This is arguably the holy grail of backpacking, and it’s mind-blowing to experience just how massive and wide-open the High Sierra really is. John Muir Trail Vs Sierra High Route: When people think of long distance hikes in the High Sierra, the John Muir Trail is the first name that usually comes to mind. Considerando esto, ¿por qué apresurarse? Sierra Nevada & the John Muir Trail THE HIGH SIERRA, WHICH I HAVE DEFINED AS the region between the southern boundary of Sequoia National Park and the northern boundary of Yosemite National Park, is the best place in the world for the practice of mountains. After running up the bottom of the Kern Canyon, it turns east, climbing parallel to Wallace Creek up to the junction with the John Muir Trail, 49 miles (79 km) from the starting point. The JMT offers spectacular sceneries of canyons, cliffs, forests, lakes, rivers, peaks and passes of over 14,000ft. Whitney and Sonora Pass. The trail is 211 miles long and runs (mostly in conjunction with the PCT) from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, in California. Get real sustenance with a two-week trek through the best of the Sierras on California's John Muir Trail. It passes through two National Parks—Sequoia-Kings Canyon and Yosemite—and two wilderness areas—John Muir and Ansel Adams. Location                         Lake Tahoe, CA, Trailheads                      Several, Tahoe City most common, Length                            165 Miles, Duration                         10-15 days (average), Difficulty                        Moderate, Elevation                        6,224 to 10,338 feet, Foot Traffic                       Moderate. *Some links here are part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which helps fund this site. The logistics of entering on the West in Yosemite and getting out on the East through Whitney Portal are not the easiest to work out. The John Muir Trail is also a land blessed with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the world. We cross five scenic High Sierra passes, all about 12,000 feet high. Lesser known than the famous John Muir Trail, the High Sierra Trail (HST) is in many ways just as historically significant as it’s longer and more famous brother. Thinking about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or other long-haul route? The views of this waterfall are unbeatable from here, and if the flow rate for Vernal Fall is high, there is a very good chance you will get wet (hence the name). It’s a route, covering over 100 miles completely off-trail. Even if you only get to hike one trail other than the John Muir Trail in your life, make it this one. Those who are unfamiliar with the Sierra Nevada often are under the impression that they are lurking behind every tree and boulder, and that a substantial part of their diet is backpackers. This is a difficult one way trail to Sunrise High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park. From the northern terminus at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley) and the southern terminus located on the summit of Mount Whitney), the Trail's length is 213.7 miles (343.9 km), with an elevation change of approximately 47,000 feet See below for a John Muir Trail map featuring some classic routes along the trail. It’s like the best of the JMT in under a week. See below for a John Muir Trail map featuring some classic routes along the trail. It requires advanced route-finding skills and excellent map-reading and orienteering abilities as there are no signs or markers, but rewards its brave adventurers with a big-mountain experience that is hard to find anywhere outside of Alaska. The PCT Route is a wonderful hike for those who don’t have route-finding skills but still want to experience solitude and adventure through a lesser-traveled section of the Northern Sierra. Most thru-hikers on the John Muir Trail attempt the hike from north to south, because the southern half of the trail is more remote and at higher elevation. The Winnette Route is a fantastic alternative to the Theodore Salomon Trail for those who are feeling brave but not that brave. How do the JMT and SHR compare? I backpacked the High Sierra Trail and the John Muir Trail from August 3rd to August 21st. This is where all the fun starts or ends, depending on which part of the John Muir Trail you begin at. Every hiker's life list should include the 270 miles between Mt. If you want to hike a tried and true classic that overlaps the JMT and goes over the famous Muir Pass, then hike the North Lake to South Lake Loop. © 2020 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Layover days at Bear Creek, Evolution Valley and LeConte Canyon provide acess to some of the finest Golden Trout fishing in the High Sierra. You will find unmatched solitude on this section of trail as it winds through the beautiful granite scenery that the Sierra is known for. The Mist Trail is the more popular of the two trails, for good reason. So far I've narrowed it down the the Colorado Trail in Colorado (surprise), the Long Trail in Vermont, and the John Muir Trail in California. The High Sierra Trail (HST) is a hiking trail in Sequoia National Park, California.The trail crosses the Sierra Nevada from west to east. Muir. You can read more about it here (coming soon). picked us up from the Onion Valley road end parking lot at 12:30… I looked the Oregon Coast Trail as well, but I'm more interested in the mountains. The Sierra High Route runs parallel to most of the John Muir Trail, but isn’t actually a trail. It starts at Crescent Meadow on the western Sierra, and ends on top of Mt Whitney after meeting up with the John Muir Trail. It is a rugged alternate to the John Muir Trail (JMT), boasting about… The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211-mile trail through California’s High Sierra Mountains from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Both are stunning hikes which are similar in length and travel in a North/South direction through the Sierra. The North Lake-South Lake Loop is a High Sierra Classic that is easily accessed from the eastern side with either 1 or 2 cars. Don't miss these tips for lady backpackers from a Colorado Trail thru-hiker. It is not as technical as the Sierra High Route, but it does involve travelling down and connecting infrequently traveled trails that are subject to dense brush, undergrowth, and more wildlife including many rattlesnakes. Plus, about half of this trail actually overlaps the John Muir Trail, arguably making it a section hike. Whitney and exit at Whitney Portal without needing to apply for a Whitney permit. Length                            78 Miles, Duration                         5-7 days (average), Difficulty                        Moderate-Difficult, Elevation                        6,500 to 13,100 feet, Foot Traffic                       Light-Moderate. The John Muir Trail is an increasingly popular trail and perhaps some of the most beautiful 200 miles in the world. Section hikes are also highly feasible, as are rest days at many of the nearby resorts. Location                         Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, Trailheads                      Road’s End or Onion Valley, Length                            131-155 Miles, Duration                         9-13 days (average), Difficulty                        Difficult, Season                           July through September (average), conditions permitting, Elevation                        5,050 to 13,180 feet, Recommended Maps       Sequoia & Kings Canyon. If you thought the JMT had big mountains, just wait. This trail goes by G Sites, F Sites, E Sites, D Sites, Yosemite Toulumne Meadows Visitor Center, and Cathedral Pass. The High Sierra Trail leads from Crescent Meadow up the canyon of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, crossing the Great Western Divide by the 10,700' (3261 meters) pass known as Kaweah Gap. The John Muir Trail is the premier hiking trail in the United States.The trail starts in America's treasure, Yosemite National Park, and continues 215 miles through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, King's Canyon National Park, and ends at the highest peak in continental United States, Mount Whitney at 14,496 ft. In 1928, Sequoia National Park was expanded from the western section famous for the giant Sequoia Grove all the way to the Eastern Sierra and Mt. As with other long-distance hiking trails, the John Muir Trail is popular with thru-hikers, who attempt to complete the entire trail in one trip. If you had your heart set on hiking the John Muir Trail but it’s not going to happen, or you already hiked it and want to explore somewhere new, then then Big SEKI Loop is for you. Download these BACKPACKER destination photos–Switzerland, Grand Canyon, & John Muir Wilderness–and get lost. The Sierra Nevada is the largest contiguous mountain range in the United States, and the backpacking opportunities here are truly endless. A camper hunkers down in the High Sierras. We will visit the Rae Lakes, Bench Lake, Twin Lakes and many more. The trail crosses several roads and intersects over 10 trailheads, making it highly accessible while providing several opportunities to resupply or bail if an injury happens. The JMT is named after naturalist John Muir, founding member and original president of the Sierra Club. During our 2012 trip in Sequoia/Kings Canyon, we hiked a section of the High Sierra Trail, which joins to John Muir Trail just Northwest of Mt. Facilities, parking, camping, lodging, stores, and cafe. “Life is a journey not a destination” “Strider” and Mary from the Mt. This 72 mile trail is stunning, and is an excellent alternative to those who can't get 3 weeks off to do the JMT. It’s a route, covering over 100 miles completely off-trail. Five more must-do hikes from our top field correspondent, who's notched more than 1,800 trail miles throughout the West and mapped 116 trips. It doesn’t go over as many passes, but the terrain it does go through is absolutely stunning—and it lets you summit Mt. Climb through a rejuvenating burn zone and a cinder cone-strewn hillside at the front end of this 32-mile stretch on the JMT. La filosofía de un buen montañero debe consistir en disfrutar de cada kilometro, de cada comida, y sobre todo, de cada vista. Step for scenery-packed step, nothing else compares to the John Muir Trail. Este sendero se puede hacer entre 21-30 días, disfrutando de cada uno de sus encantos y paradas. You can the… The High Sierra Trail is the little brother to the John Muir Trail. Score some of the John Muir Trail's most classic views on this 31-mile section hike in Yosemite National Park that starts less than two hours from Bishop. Location:                         Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, CA, Trailheads:                      Meeks Bay to Tuolumne Meadows, Length:                            185 Miles, Duration:                         12-16 days (average), Difficulty:                        Moderate-Difficult, Elevation:                        6,225 to 11,570 feet. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. If this trail wasn’t already on your bucket list, we guarantee it will be now. We will camp in the Dusy Basin and have an option to visit 60 Lakes Basin. You could spend a lifetime exploring the Sierra and still never see all of it. The bears are often the first concern. Here are 11 cheap accessories thru-hikers swear by. It’s like the best of the JMT in under a week. I’m Gary. It may take a month, but it's a trivial sacrifice to make for the most unrelenting wilderness eye-candy you'll ever feast on. Unique and extremely detailed poster of the High Sierra and John Muir Trail. It avoids the JMT crowds, the landscape is more spectacular, and the travel more challenging. The route itself is almost entirely on trail, but the exact route is debated, hence why I’m calling it a route and not necessarily a trail. The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view. The Winnette Route overlaps 90 miles of the PCT Route, but otherwise stays further west and lower in elevation. At the very least, you should take a gander at these 8 incredible hikes, some of which give the JMT a run for its money. The famous John Muir Trail takes a line down through the heart of the beautiful High Sierra Nevada taking in the some of best sights the mountains of California has to offer. The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. This can be traveled earlier in the season than the John Muir Trail, but not by more than a month or so. The Big SEKI Loop can be accessed from either side of the Sierra and is among the biggest loops in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Whenever I am talking to a small group, or even a single hiker, about a potential John Muir Trail hike, I know some of the same questions are going to come up. It runs for 216 miles through the high Sierra Nevada mountains of California, from Yosemite Valley (El Capitan and Half-Dome) to the summit of Mount Whitney (14,496ft), the highest peak in the US outside Alaska. 1 talking about this. It’s the most comparable alternative to the John Muir Trail due to its similar length and impressive scenery, which rivals much of the JMT. Several intersecting trails are taken and most junctions are clearly marked, but carrying a good map and knowing how to use it is vital. Hike cross-country through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail. La mayoría de los amantes del senderismo no son atletas profesionales, sino gente de a pie que ha hecho de esta actividad un hobby. The loop itself can be hiked either clockwise or counter-clockwise, with clockwise being the most common. As the name would suggest, sections of this loop are infrequently traveled and will give you time to reflect in solitude. Can trial by error work on a 211-mile thru-hike? Its scenery is impressive, the terrain steep and variable, and the logistics simple. The John Muir Trail's starting point at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. Much of the terrain here is volcanic with dark red and brown mountains. This trip is designed for those who enjoy a lot of riding. It was quite the experience as the weather did not fully cooperate. It is one of the most renowned and widely recognized as one of the greatest trails in the world. Check out this guide to learn more. Hi! Nearly as famous as the John Muir Trail but not nearly as long, the High Sierra Trail passes through some of the most intense mountain scenery of the entire Sierra Nevada. If you want something shorter and simpler than the John Muir Trail but just as pretty, then hike the Circle of Solitude this summer. The High Sierra Trail is a must-see for any serious backpacker. Your life will be forever changed. The John Muir Trail passes through Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park, as well as numerous national forests and designated wilderness areas. It sounds silly, but you can lighten your pack a lot by trading out heavy gear for garbage. The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail technically has two routes, the less-traveled Winnette Route, and the PCT Route. The trail coincides with the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail for about 160 miles, and rarely dips below 8,000 feet elevation. Check out this guide for more information. Even if you only get to hike one trail other than the John Muir Trail in your life, make it this one. The John Muir Trail is nearly 215 miles of hiking trails through mostly wilderness, but if you don’t want to hike all of it, then you can choose from these various sections of the trail: Yosemite National Park. Tag Mount Whitney, the Lower 48's highest peak, during this 42-mile trek into Sequoia National Park where there's more acreage of wilderness than you'll know what to do with. Whitney. Hike to the best views in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Many feel this is the most complete representation of all zones of the High Sierra. Dreaming of a truly long hike someday? You won’t be disappointed. Whitney — the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. The John Muir Trail is a long-distance hiking trail in the High Sierra backcountry, named after famed naturalist, author and Sierra Club founder John Muir. -Shelton Johnson 'Just a place where the divine has manifested on earth.' Whitney and ends in Sequoia National Park 60 plus miles to the West. I’m the mountain-enthusiast and gearhead behind Granite Cliffs. This spectacular backpacking trip is one of world's most famous long-distance hikes and … The John Muir Trail (JMT) is one of the world's most spectacular treks and is North America's best known mid-distance walking trail. Don't limit yourself to the famous options like the Appalachian Trail. There is never a dull moment on the High Sierra Trail and the terrain changes constantly. The John Muir Trail (JMT) Location: Central California Length: 215 Miles (346 km) Ave. Time to Thruhike: 3-4 weeks High Point: Mount Whitney – 14,496 ft (4418 m) Low Point: Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley – 4000 ft (1200 m). A lifetime of weekend trips is like trying to live on appetizers. The John Muir Trail is an epic 211 mile trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains that extends from Yosemite to Mt. Along its lower edge there is an elevation and mileage profile of the trail. The Sierra High Route is for advanced backpackers only with extensive off-trail experience, but is absolutely worth checking out if you have the skills. Length                            195 Miles, Duration                         15-25 days (skill dependent), Difficulty                        Very Difficult, technical, Elevation                        5,050 to 12,130 feet, Recommended Maps       Sierra High Route, several needed. Can easily be completed in less than a month or so axe and fording streams bloated snowmelt... Go outside and explore coincides with the mildest, sunniest climate of any major mountain range in the and. ’ t already on your life, make it this one complete representation of all of. 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