John Muir Trail

One of America’s premier mid-distance backpacking trips, the John Muir Trail connects the famous landmarks of Yosemite and Mount Whitney via 211 stunning miles of alpine meadows, vast forests, and sparkling granite basins through the heart of the high Sierra Nevada mountains.

JMT at a Glance

Distance	211 miles
Route type	point to point
Typical time needed	3-4 weeks
Start (official – varies by permit)	Happy Isles Trailhead, Yosemite Valley
End	Whitney Portal Trailhead
Permit required	Yes (info) – difficult to get
Hiking season	June – September (depending on snow pack)
Trail type	Well maintained, well marked
Food storage	Bear can required
Lowest elevation	4,035 feet
Highest elevation	14,505 feet
Dogs allowed	Mostly no
Bicycles allowed	Mostly no
Horses allowed	Mostly yes

JMT Resource Collection