John Muir Trail Trail

A 340 km high Sierra thru-hike most commonly walked in 18-21 days.

Time to Hike: 18-21 days, roughly 340 km. Most hikers plan 18-20 days with varied daily mileage to handle long elevation days and resupply stops.

Best Time to Go: Mid July to early September when snow is usually lowest on the high passes and trails are most reliably clear.

Getting there: Access via Yosemite National Park trailheads such as Happy Isles or Tuolumne Meadows; the route finishes at Whitney Portal near Lone Pine, California. Most complete the route north-to-south from Yosemite to Mount Whitney.

Costs: Primary costs are wilderness permit reservation fees, shuttles or taxis for trailhead transfers, and resupply or mail-drop services. There are no staffed huts so budget for camping gear and food.

Difficulty: Sustained high-elevation mountain terrain with long climbs, exposed granite sections, occasional snowfields, and altitude up to the summit of Mount Whitney at 4,421 m. Requires strong fitness, good planning and backcountry experience.

Yosemite National Park marks the traditional northern gateway and the trail follows the Sierra crest through glacial valleys, meadows, and stark granite landscapes. Hikers pass classic high-country scenery including Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell and Muir Pass areas, sweeping canyons toward Kings Canyon National Park and the final approach to Mount Whitney.

There are no staffed huts along the John Muir Trail; camping is at established backcountry sites and you must carry or resupply your own food. A stone shelter known as the Muir Hut sits on Muir Pass for emergency use, but most nights are in tent camps, so carry solid shelter, water treatment and food storage suitable for bear country.

San Francisco and Fresno Yosemite International Airport are common air hubs for reaching the Sierra. From either hub most hikers drive or take shuttle services into Yosemite National Park to start at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley or at Tuolumne Meadows for a higher trailhead start.

The typical finish is at Whitney Portal near Lone Pine, California, where shuttles and local services connect hikers back to regional towns. Most people walk north-to-south from Yosemite toward the Mount Whitney summit.

The walkable season is normally mid July through early September when spring snow has receded from the highest passes; some years snow lingers into July and can close segments earlier or later. Expect cold nights at elevation and carry gear for late-season snow if you start early.

Wilderness permits are required for overnight travel and quotas apply during peak months - apply early through the National Park Service reservation system. Late-summer hazards include afternoon thunderstorms, heat in lower sections and residual snow or icy patches on high passes.