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The John Muir Trail
Through the Californian Sierra Nevada
Guidebook to walking the John Muir Trail through California's High Sierra from Yosemite (El Capitan and Half Dome) to the summit of Mount Witney. The 216 mile hike is split into 21 daily stages, with full information on preparation, permits, wilderness, bears, water and trekking skills. Part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Seasons
August is best, July normally fine but late snow may be a problemCentres
Starts Yosemite and finishes at Whitney Portal; Tuolmmne, Vermilion Resort and Muir Trail Range along the way; access through San Francisco or Los AngelesDifficulty
spectacular, remote and risks of poor weather; backpacking throughout, carrying all required food; tough trekking but no route-finding difficulties; beware of bears!Must See
Yosemite (rock walls of El Capitan, Half Dome etc), King's Canyon and Sequoia national parks, Anselm Adams wilderness, Mount Whitney-
Overview
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A guidebook to trekking the John Muir Trail (JMT) from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney and onto the trailhead at Whitney Portal. Covering 348km (216 miles), this long-distance trek through the Sierra Nevada mountains of California takes around 3 weeks to hike and is suitable for hikers with experience in remote high-mountain wilderness.
The route is described from north to south in 21 stages, each between 11 and 26km (7–16 miles). An optional ascent of Half Dome is also included, which involves some easy scrambling and requires a good head for heights.
- Sketch maps included for the route
- Ascent, descent and distance tables included for all stages
- Lists of camp areas, ranger stations and bear box locations
- Advice on trekking permits, transport to and from the trailheads, equipment, food and supplies, training
- Route travels through 3 national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia
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Table of Contents
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Updates
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By Alan Castle
Alan Castle has trekked and cycled in over 30 countries within Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa and Australasia. A member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, he has written 18 guidebooks, several on long-distance mountain routes in France. An erstwhile national secretary and long-distance path information officer of the Long Distance Walkers Association, Alan now lives at the foot of the Moffat Hills in Scotland.
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