JOHN MUIR TRAIL HIKE OVERVIEW (SOUTH TO NORTH)

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. This spectacular backpacking trip is one of world's most famous long-distance hikes and a must-do for any long-distance hiking aficionado. With over 12 years of experience running JMT hikes, we strive to provide an exceptional experience along this iconic trail. With over 15 years of experience we are one of the most experienced guiding companies operating the John Muir Trail.

Our John Muir Trail hike is supported with multiple food resupplies, professional and personable mountain guides, private shuttles, top-notch logistics and backcountry cuisine that have all become a hallmark of California Alpine Guides backpacking trips. We keep our group sizes small for everyone's comfort and enjoyment.

After meeting in the town of Mammoth Lakes at our main office, the Eastern gateway to Yosemite, We take a shuttle to the beginning of the our adventure at the Horseshoe Meadows Trailhead just to the South of Mount Whitney. Heading North, we soon enter Sequoia National Park and move on towards Mount Whitney. After summiting Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, we continue North along the John Muir Trail through some of the most fantastic mountain terrain in North America such as the Rae Lakes and Evolution Basin. Eventually we cross into Yosemite National Park and arrive at the end of our hike in the incomparable Yosemite Valley

Along the way, we see just about everything the Sierra Nevada has to offer...majestic peaks, alpine lakes, lush meadows and an abundance of wildlife. This trip is perfect for those with previous multi day wilderness backpacking experience who we are looking to immerse themselves in the wilderness and get away from "civilization" for a long period of time. While this is a a strenuous and committing hike at times, our itinerary allows some relaxation time amid the incredible beauty and quiet of California's High Sierra Nevada. We always try to camp in more out of the way locations to avoid other hikers.

Leave all the logistics and the cooking to our professional mountain guides and allow yourself to simply relax and enjoy one of America's most incredible wilderness journeys.

Food, Equipment & Lodging

We provide breakfast lunch, dinner and snacks prepared by your guide and backcountry chef from the time we meet till we part ways.

To make your trip easier for you we can provide most of the gear you will need at no extra cost if you need it. We provide high quality backpacks, sleeping bags and pad, trekking poles, headlamp and eating utensils if needed. We also provide tents, all group cooking gear, first aid kit and water purification for the group. Our guides carry emergency two-way satellite communications devices at all times.

This is a committing and long backpacking trip in which everyone carries their own gear and a share of the group gear and supplies.

Why go with California Alpine Guides on the JMT?

  • We are a local company based in the Sierra Nevada with local and personable guides. Not a corporate entity based out of State

  • We have over 16 years experience running JMT trips and logistics. We have the JMT wired!

  • Our itinerary actually hikes the full JMT from Mt Whitney to Yosemite Valley. Not just day hiking parts of it (which doesn't count!)

  • Great value for your money with more included.

“Thanks again for an unforgettable JMT hike! Rich was a fantastic guide.”
— Peter H.
 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • Previous recent wilderness backpacking experience sleeping in tents is required on trips of at least 3-5 nights in length.

  • The ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 14 miles a day with 2000-3000 feet of elevation gain for multiple days in a row. (We hike slow, but steady!)

  • Excellent physical condition required.

  • The mental commitment and flexibility for a long & remote wilderness journey.

The full John Muir Trail is a long, committing and strenuous wilderness expedition …you must train accordingly! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

2026 DATES:

  • July 5-29

  • Aug 2-26

COST: $6995

Book now till Sept 30 and save 10% off all scheduled trips and courses that start after Nov 1st. Use the code SUMMERSALE at checkout.

Balance must be paid in full at booking to receive discount. All regular cancellation policies apply. Cannot be used with credits

Space is very limited! To reserve spots on the JMT, a 25% refundable deposit is required with the balance due 120 days prior.

INCLUDES

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by your guide while in the field

  • Professional local mountain guides certified in emergency wilderness medicine, food handling & Leave No Trace Principles & trained in local natural history.

  • Backpacks, sleeping bag and pad, trekking poles and eating utensils if needed at no extra cost ($25 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Tents, all group camping gear and permits

  • Full logistical support with porter resupplies

John Muir Trail Itinerary

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra and a gateway to Yosemite National park. We discuss the itinerary and do a pack check and then shuttle to Horseshoe Meadows where we spend the night in a car accessible camp to help acclimatize. (Optional hotel available the evening prior in Mammoth Lakes, contact us for cost)

Day 2
Today we launch off on our adventure! We climb over Cottonwood Pass (11,200 ft) entering the starkly beautiful Golden Trout Wilderness and join the famed PCT as we make our way into Sequoia National Park. We set up camp for the night in the Rock Creek area at approx. 9200 ft.

Day 3
We hike along the PCT to beautiful Crabtree Meadows where we join the JMT. We make base camp near Crabtree Lakes, to prepare for our climb of Mount Whitney…the highest peak in the continental US,

Day 4
Summit day of Mount Whitney (14,500 ft). Fully acclimated, we hike up Mount Whitney via the John Muir Trail with lightweight packs, leaving most of our things back at basecamp. After summiting Whitney and enjoying the view we descend back to our camp at Crabtree Lakes and spend another night there.

Days 5-9
Continuing North, we hike over Forester Pass (elevation 13,153), the highest pass on the JMT and then onto Bullfrog lake where we pick up our first food resupply. We then hike into the beautiful Rae Lakes Basin with granite spires all around and make our camp along one of the more remote tranquil lakes in this special area.

 Days 10-16
Entering Kings Canyon National Park, we make our way into Kings River drainage, the parks most remote point. We hike over Mather Pass (Elevation 12,100) into upper Le Conte Canyon. We pick up our second resupply deep in Le Conte Canyon. From here we hike to sparkling Evolution Lake and continue through Evolution Valley to Vermillion Resort, a small taste of civilization.

Days 17-20
At Vermillion Resort, we spend the night, complete with a restaurant meal and a hot shower! We receive our 3rd food and fuel re-supply here. Leaving the resort, we take a water taxi (subject to lake conditions) on Edison Lake back to the trail and spend the next three days hiking towards Reds Meadows.

Days 21-23
Hiking through Reds Meadows we receive our last resupply and also the lightest! Leaving the Ansel Adams Wilderness, we enter Yosemite National Park making our way into scenic Lyell canyon toward Tuolumne Meadows. passing through Tuolumne Meadows we camp at beautiful Cathedral Lakes.

Days 24-25
From Cathedral Lakes we make our way down towards the Merced River and the arrive in Yosemite Valley where we take a shuttle back to Mammoth Lakes arriving in the early evening. (Optional hotel available this evening in Mammoth Lakes, contact us for cost)

 Itinerary subject to change. Exact camp locations and daily distances can, and will, change over the course of the hike.