I have been trying to decide which camera to bring. It sounds great and it is really easy to clean it, which is really important feature for me! The John Muir Trust is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee. This is a day to take some pictures of this glorious spot. Found insideThe book includes GPS coordinates for every junction, has separate descriptions for northbound and southbound hikers, and shows elevations and distance. We walked at our usual mile per hour pace, which is pretty good considering we were rapidly above 11,000 ft. We felt great all the way to the pass. There are some spectacular mountains seen from our campsite, which is on an open shelf about 100 feet above the meadow. I think I mention them in my resupply post. This wilderness is HUGE! view from Cathedral Pass. After dinner a hiker named Mark from PA came over to chat. We wanted to get to breakfast early. I can only hope they are sleeping heavily. That's our story and we're sticking to it! As they left Steve and I prayed for their safety and that of their horses. Still no wind, which is making it lovely to sit outside to write this. We had heard reports spoken very authoritatively that "the trail was dry, no water until Cathedral Lakes." This is looking great. One of them came over to chat for quite a while. We met three men who had started JMT at Red's Meadow and had not resupplied. At its base is a glacier blue lake, which was mind-boggling stunning. Here comes the pack train. We had to eat a lot and squish a lot to close our bear canisters. I’ve read several of your blog posts and they are awesome! Somewhat revived, and with an improved attitude on my part, we went another mile to Timberline Lake. Also, do you have a budget estimation for the trail? After dinner they all crashed. I think the problem is people leaving food in there for weeks at a time. Hey Tierney – Here are some good 3-man tents: What was your experience with footwear/ what would you recommend for this? JMT FAQ; JMT maps and books; JMT permits; JMT regulations; JMT resupply; JMT transportation; JMT history; Thru-hiking and long-distance hiking. Thanks for these helpful tips. They were doing a section of JMT, going ultralight. Turns out they are staying the same motel in Independence, and they told us the motel had a shuttle service. Shortly after the switchbacks we came upon Evolution Lake, a stupendous sight. Bear-proof food storage at Muir Trail Ranch You can also search on B&H photography. Started our hike today with a detour back to MTR to pick up our supply, buy toothbrushes, and send out an email to friends and family. At many points along the way there are views of the Owens Valley. It will be nice tomorrow for the trail dust to be knocked down for Sue and Randy x2. Can also save ounces by putting a trash bag over your stuff in your pack rather than adding a 9-ounce pack cover you might never use. I’m curious how you charged all of your devices if the Goal Zero was only good for charging your cell phone. Donahue Pass was ahead of us, but before that were the headwaters of Lyell Creek-so beautiful. Check out current radar We did a last look around the home, and locked the door. We have met several people who are hiking from Onion Valley, over Kearsarge Pass, to Whitney. That should've been Deer Creek, but it was still about a mile farther. Then the trail followed switchbacks down a steep, dry, south facing area for about a mile. However, I pay for the $10 a month spotify plan. I’m [attempting to] thru-hiking the JMT in July…. Steve went in to start a tab, and came out with a key to a "yurt," which is a wood frame and canvas circle tent-so cute and nicely furnished. Thanks. He has a nephew who is a C-5 pilot. It is a pretty lake, with green reeds at its shore, and stupendous views of Whitney and other peaks. The trail down was just gorgeous, with the typical Sierra scenery. At the JMT/Ediza trail junction it was quietly meandering in a green meadow, then just steps down the trail it cascaded over jumbled rocks and fallen trees. A tiny woman came to greet us, asked us our name, and retrieved the bucket we had shipped. We barely had it up when it started to rain. Most people will probably find Kristen’s pack pretty heavy. Rush creek was easy to cross. Lone Pine Lake is classic. We had New York steak, cooked to perfection, garlic mashed potatos, and vegies. Skies cleared up, with a lovely moonrise and stars reflecting in the lake. **TIP** If rain threatens, be sure to keep pack cover and rain gear handy on your pack to whip on in a hurry. We had heard from a hiker gong north tht the rain was from hurricane Dean, and was coming through as far north as the southern Sierras. I counted 10 people go by for today (12:30) Many of the ones we've talked to are doing the South Lake-North Lake Loop. Definitely check it out! My whole meal was cold. First aid, one comprehensive kit should be good as long as you don’t plan on splitting up. I could not get my wife to do this." This is such a great list and I am really looking forward to hearing about what you wished you had and what you wished you had left behind. . Interest in hiking the JMT has grown rapidly in the last decade and more people want to hike the trail than the trail can handle so a quota (or cap) has been set and a lottery system has been implemented. We have called it a day almost at the end of the canyon. The moment of decision is when you are at the bottom of the cables, looking up. First sign-very exciting to be starting our hike! The day began with coffee, protein drink, and the healing scriptures that we say every day. Found insideFrom beginners to thru-hikers, Discovering the John Muir Trail has something for anyone that wants a connection with what Backpacker Magazine has called “The best hike in the world.” Taking on the JMT is a pilgrimage because of both its ... The trail descends through a narrow canyon of rocks of every color and description, from white granite to orange to pure black(shale?) Hey Cindy – Here are the answers to your questions: Excellent. We waited and waited for the water taxi. We reached the stone hut on the summit @ 12:07, signed the register, had our photo taken, ate lunch, and called our friends and family on the sat phone. They said, "about 2 miles and 1000 ft up." It is pretty clean to camp on the granite. Hi Amy – I wore backpacking boots…but I never really hike in trail runners, so I wouldn’t have even considered that. Looking into King's Canyon from Kearsarge Pass. The clouds came over as we passed out of the mountain's shade, and a cool breeze really helped. It\’s a bummer that you ran out of whiskey. Saw a pika today, and several FAT marmots. I know the trail builders have to engineer the trail so it won't flood in the spring melt, but do they have to go so high? God is truly our source. My heart was pounding from the exertion and adrenalin rush. Fun stuff! Really no words to describe how many beautiful waterfalls and cascades there are-water sliding over slick granite, then tumbling over broken slabs. We were rewarded by awesome views of Pinchot Peak, and Mt. We ate a big lunch around 3:30, then walked back to the ranger station to see if we could check up on Randy guys or meet up with. We crammed all of our new food supplies into our packs, gave away the ice chest to a young climber who was thrilled to have it. A derivative of the comprehensive John Muir Trail by Sierra expert Elizabeth Wenk, this data book is perfect for the weight-conscious hiker. Perhaps next year they will stock ours. 2) I did the JMT in Sept 2014 after the Wenk book was published and we had no problems getting food from Onion Valley. Steve shone our light that way, but didn't see anything. This is very useful for resting, and to wait while others are coming the other way. One hilarious moment occurred when Steve was pumping water off the trail a few feet. Celebrating 21 years of caring for the UK's highest mountain, We have new volunteering opportunities on our properties, Get our latest news and updates straight to your inbox, The John Muir Trust is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee. while laying in the tent watching clouds go by. I feel like I don’t even know what skills I need to survive in the backwoods. After about 2 miles we came across a stream and refilled our water. **TIP** Cinch your boots by stomping your heel to the back, and tightening at the top of foot and ankle. See the discussion about transportation issues in the preparation section of this site. Last night the Chicago couple had a bear wander into their camp. But the skies were a brilliant blue and the breeze was cool, with just a hint of autumn in the air. She was on a shorter permit. Found insideIn this guide Asars draws on her experience, covering these essentials: * How to work with the Wonderland Trail permit reservation system, and when to apply * Recommended gear--with a checklist--and ways to reduce pack weight, prevent ... This part of the trail seemed so easy without our packs. (Composting toilet is just 1/4 mile up the trail). Any thoughts on bringing an ultralight, quickdry travel towel? We left first but she caught up with us, passed us, then had lunch with us at Wallace Creek. Bubbs Creek near junction with Center Creek. Also, we have a friend who lives in California (we are from Vermont) and she is willing to do some food drops for us. The staff is so accomodating and friendly-really made a difference. Steve washed up but I was too lazy. This volume of classic nature writing reflects the extent of the beloved conservationist's intimate connection with the region and his appreciation of its majestic landscapes. Thanks! Awakened at 6am. Hi there Markus, It was just a plain old ball point pen. Did you take your shoes off or just change your socks a bunch? The trail went through a a forest of pine and fir, with wildflowers in the open spaces. I'm wondering if he will resume after all those treats. **TIP** Don't forget water intake, even on cool days. Thanks! On Glen Pass, with the Rae Lakes behind us. Your feet roll around and it is fatiguing. This was a very beautiful day, and we did have "water in the wilderness," thank God. Does it mean the campground, the resort, or the showers? It is made of local stone, with the roof also of stone, stacked like a beehive. Could be habit forming! I had a lot of time in the tent during the rain to think about some tips: **TIP** Don't follow someone so close that if you fell you'd take out the person in front. Did you download your playlists prior to leaving? The wind is up, and the water is gently lapping at the shore. Any thought on how you would adjust this list for a late September hike? We joined the JMT and began our southward ascent toward Seldon Pass. and went on the the lodge. We hailed down the couple from LA, Susie and Scott, who had heard all the same bad reports, and assured them there was water. What a cool experience to have together. "There's room at the top". John Muir Trail Entry Points Alphabetical list of Inyo National Forest trails that connect to John Muir Trail (JMT) Mileage and elevation are approximate for trip planning, not intended for navigation. We saw a fire to the south. Randy x2 and Sue in their slickers, and just beat from the ride over the pass. We enjoyed meeting their "horse friends." 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