JOHN MUIR TRAIL SECTION, BISHOP PASS TO MAMMOTH HIKE
OVERVIEW

Want to hike the John Muir Trail but don't have time for the whole 200 miles? Hike it in sections! This section of the John Muir Trail from Bishop Pass to Mammoth Lakes via Reds Meadows is a classic section of the JMT, which also shares the famous Pacific Crest Trail, through the most Northern section of Sequoia National Park. The longest and most committing of our JMT section hikes, we hike from the trail head at South Lake over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin before meeting up with the JMT in Leconte Canyon. Heading North we visit the beautiful Evolution Valley and then pick up a resupply at the Vermillion Resort. Then it on through the Sierra National Forest to Reds Meadows where we take a short shuttle ride back into the town of Mammoth Lakes,

We also supply a campsite and dinner the night before the trip in the Mammoth Lakes area and a private van shuttle to the beginning of the hike at South Lake Your guides will serve up great backcountry cuisine along the way. We take care of all the food and logistics allowing you to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery along the Pacific Crest Trail. We provide a resupply during the hike and a porter on the first day that allows for carrying lighter packs. The porter on day one carries some of the group gear weight to take a little load off.

Experience the adventure of hiking along the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trail through California’s spectacular High Sierra!

Food, Equipment & Lodging

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

To make your trip easier for you we provide most of the gear you will need at no extra cost. 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.

A great way hike the JMT/PCT in style.

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

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

  • The ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 12 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 JMT/PCT Bishop Pass to Mammoth Lakes trip is a strenuous & remote wilderness trip …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:

August 24 - September 3

COST: 

$3595

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

INCLUDES

  • Breakfast, & dinner prepared by your guide while in the field (along with 3 days of lunches)

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

  • Use of backpacks, sleeping bag and pad, trekking poles and eating utensils if needed ($25 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Resupply 7 days into the hike

  • Porter assistance on the first day (for just some of the group gear)

  • Private van shuttle from Mammoth Lakes to the beginning of the hike

  • Tents, all group camping gear and permits

Itinerary - Bishop Pass to Mammoth Lakes

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mammoth Lakes where we will provide a campsite and dinner this evening . between 4 and 5pm. Exact location TBD. Dinner will be served that night and your guide will conduct a pack check and go over all the gear for the trip. (Everyone is responsible for their own transportation on this day)

Day 2
After a hearty breakfast, we take a private shuttle over to our starting point at South Lake above the town of Bishop and begin the day by hiking up and over Bishop Pass and drop down into Dusy Basin. We have a porter this day to carry up to approx 8-9 lbs of your pack weight to help with the first days hike

Day 3
Continuing down into LeConte Canyon and then up towards Muir Pass for the evening at an upper Leconte Canyon campsite.

Day 4
Up and over Muir Pass, past Evolution Lake and then down into the beautiful Evolution Valley making camp in the valley this evening.

Day 5
Continuing through Evolution Valley we make our way further down into the drainage of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River.

Day 6
Hiking down further along the San Joaquin River we then ascend up towards Selden Pass and make camp along one of the lakes before the actual pass.

Day 7
Up to and over Selden Pass and past Marie Lake puts us in the Bear Creek drainage. We continue along Bear Creek and then make camp for the night.

Day 8
Hiking down Bear Creek, we eventually will arrive at Lake Thomas Edison. Depending on conditions we will either take a water taxi or hike directly into the Vermillion Resort where we spend the night. A small slice of civilization, Vermillion Resort offer a small store and showers and is where we pick up or resupply.

Day 9
Leaving Vermillion, we either hike along Lake Thomas Edison or take the water taxi and continue along the JMT up towards Silver Pass. We make camp at one of the beautiful lakes near the pass.

Day 10
From Silver Lake we hike down into the Fish Creek drainage as we near the Mammoth Lakes Crest. The camp for the night is at oe near Purple Lake.

Day 11
The last day! We hike along the backside of the Mammoth Crest finally arriving at the small resort of Reds Meadows near the Devils Postpile. From there we hop on a shuttle back to Mammoth Mountain where our cars our located

Itinerary fully subject to change