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Thru-Hiking the JMT, Day-by-Day

July 25, 2013 By Jeff H 11 Comments

JMT_Starr_Guide__1946__Scans_incl_Map_Snapseed

Precisely three years ago this day, my girlfriend and I and two hiking friends were driving up to Lone Pine, getting ready for a 22-day thru-hike of the epic 211-mile John Muir Trail. Over the next three weeks, I’ll be sharing a day-by-day guide to our JMT backpacking trek, with each day covered exactly on the three year anniversary of the actual hike. Each daily post will break down the route we hiked — with an interactive trail map; where we camped, what we ate and the stories that went with it.

Some of you are already planning your own JMT trip. For you, these day-by-day trail guides will give you a good sense of what to expect. You’ll learn what worked well, and what we will do differently the next time.

Some of you are day hikers and weekend backpackers, thinking about tackling a bigger goal. For you, I’ve got good news. The John Muir Trail is indeed an epic backpack trip, but it’s within the reach of mere mortals. While it’s not a trek to hike on a whim, if you are a fit hiker, you can do this. In your case, I hope these day-by-day posts give you the added push to seriously consider hiking part (or all) of the JMT.

A few of you are armchair adventurers, with no aspiration to spend three weeks in one of the most beautiful sections of the Sierra mountains, challenging your body and spirit and finding new confidence and strength. I hope you’ll follow along just the same, and find the stories that go with each daily post entertaining and engaging.

Jeffrey and Hari Dozing on the Ride to Lone Pine

The Cast

Our motley crew included my then-girlfriend (and now my wife), Joan; San Diego resident Jeffrey, a recent hiking friend who discovered my desire to hike the JMT and connected to us via SoCalHiker; and a late-addition: Hari who just finished his degree at USC and was getting ready for grad school. Joan and I were in our late 40’s. Jeffrey and Hari were both in their 20’s. All of us had done plenty of hiking, but I was the only one who had hiked this far before.

The JMT Crew

The Story Begins

First leg -- Driving 270 miles from San Clemente to Lone Pine.

First leg — Driving 270 miles from San Clemente to Lone Pine.

We started our day in San Clemente. Jeffrey was dropped off at our home, and we piled into the Xterra and headed up to Los Angeles to pick up Hari. From there, we weaved through traffic, out of the city and headed north to Lone Pine.

The JMT extends from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mt. Whitney — the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states. You can hike it northbound  — or NOBO — but must hikers choose the south-bound (SOBO) route because you start at a lower altitude and work your way up. We were going to follow the traditional SOBO route, but were starting off by dropping off our car at the Whitney Portal.

The Dow Villa Motel

The Dow Villa Motel

When we arrived at Lone Pine, we checked in at the Dow Villa Motel (map). While the rest of the group got dinner, I drove up to the Whitney Portal and parked. Parking here is free, but you need to check to make sure you’re parked in the right place. And you must make sure to clean your car of anything smelly or anything that looks remotely like food (or a food container). That includes coolers, empty food wrappers or cups, and even deodorant and toothpaste. This keeps bears from trying to pry open your car, and helps you avoid a costly ticket from the ranger.

Once I parked, I hitched a ride back down to Lone Pine with a couple guys who had just hiked down from Mt. Whitney.

We slept well that night, knowing that we had an early start in the morning with a shuttle to Yosemite, picking up our permit and getting one day closer to our JMT adventure.

The view west, toward Mt. Whitney

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Next up: Day Two – Lone Pine to Yosemite Valley

Original date of travel July 25, 2010.

 

Filed Under: Hiking News, JMT Resources Tagged With: Day By Day, hiking, Hiking The John Muir Trail, JMT, John Muir, John Muir Trail, Lone Pine, Thru-hiking

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Brian Green (@bfgreen) says

    July 26, 2013 at 9:42 am

    That’s a drive I’ve made a few times myself. Well worth it though to be up in those mountains and on the trail. Looking forward to more installments.

    Reply
  2. Jeff HJeff Hester says

    July 26, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Thanks, Brian! My favorite stretch of road and – in my opinion – the fastest route to the Sierras. The western side takes so much longer to get to from here!

    Reply
  3. Josh says

    July 26, 2013 at 10:24 am

    This is an awesome post! I love seeing the background of hikes like this

    Reply
  4. Christine McCarthy (@OatmealBowl) says

    July 26, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    My favorite picture on my FB profile is one my friend caught, while we were on a recent road trip, of the Mt. Whitney zone. LOVE. Can’t wait to read the the rest of this JMT series day by day.

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      July 26, 2013 at 5:44 pm

      Thanks Christine! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a single “episode.”

      Reply
  5. Wil Layton (@HikingGearList) says

    December 4, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    This is a really wonderful resource Jeff! Both my wife and I are planning this trip for next fall, and learning all we can about planning for such an awesome trip is going to be fun. I think hiking the SOBO route might make more sense. I will be sure to check back often – thanks again!

    Reply
  6. Rick K says

    December 30, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    This is excellent! Thanks so much for sharing this.

    Reply

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  • DAY 1: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley (plus Half Dome)
  • DAY 2: Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Camp
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  • DAY 11: Mono Creek to Rosemarie Meadow
  • DAY 12: Rosemarie Meadow to Muir Trail Ranch
  • DAY 13: Muir Trail Ranch to McClure Meadow
  • DAY 14: Over Muir Pass to Helen Lake
  • DAY 15: Le Conte Canyon to Palisade Creek
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  • DAY 17: Over Pinchot Pass to Woods Creek
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  • DAY 19: Rae Lakes, Glen Pass to Vidette Meadow
  • DAY 20: Forester Pass to Wright Creek
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  • DAY 22: To Mt Whitney and Whitney Portal

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