Home / All Programs / Backpacking & Hiking / John Muir Trail
John Muir Trail
$6,475
Dates
- August 10 - September 4, 2025
The John Muir Trail is one of the finest wilderness hikes to be found anywhere in the world and the trip of a lifetime. Our route starts near, and then climbs, Mount Whitney – the high point of the lower forty-eight states – and continues north some two hundred miles ending in Yosemite National Park. Along the way it climbs over 13,000’ passes, wanders beneath high alpine peaks, and traverses beautiful meadows and forested river valleys. The spectacular scenery is combined with the generally clement weather of California and warm summer temperatures. We have lived in the area for over 35 years and we are excited to share it with you.
You can expect to cover ten to twelve miles a day. The tentative schedule is as follows, but remember that weather, conditions and perhaps issues such as sore feet or a desire for a rest day may well vary this outline. Be flexible and adapt to the inevitable changes that will occur during a trip of this duration.
Logistics
Organizing logistics for a trip of this duration can be daunting, so leave it to us! We will plan and prepare meals for all 26 days. We will also schedule five food resupplies so that you never have to carry more than seven days worth of food at any one time. You will leave your vehicle in Bishop California during the trip. We will shuttle you to the Cottonwood Pass trailhead to begin the trip, and we will shuttle you back to Bishop, from Yosemite Valley, at the end of the trip. Your guides will have constant communication with our office, which means you will never have to leave the trial to grab extra items you need added to your resupply such as blister care, medicine, new shoes, etc.
Inclusions
Price includes 75 meals (breakfast, lunch, & dinner for the duration of the trip). Our meals are healthy and prepared by your guide before the trip. We use good quality dehydrated ingredients to make a variety of delicious, protein packed meals. We rarely serve pre-packaged dehydrated melas! Also included is five resupplies. We are able to add small, forgotten items to resupplies for you! Also included is guiding, permits, shuttles on both ends of the trip, tents, kitchen gear and other group gear.
Backcountry Communications
Your guide will be trained in wilderness first aid and will carry a satellite phone for emergency communication. Because of the length of this trip, there is always the potential for things to go wrong and the unexpected to occur. Family and friends can contact you through our office. If you want to check in with family or friends each night, we recommend bringing a personal satellite communication device such as a Garmin In-reach. The guide’s device will be reserved for emergencies only.
Backcountry Conditions
We do this trip from August to early September to get what we consider to be the best conditions. There should be few biting insects by August. In August and September the days, while getting shorter, should be warm with day temperatures in the 60 degree region and nights dipping to about 32 degrees rarely and only at the higher elevations. There may be small snow patches on the highest passes, but not normally enough to warrant ice axe and crampon use. This might well change should we have a big snow winter and we will let you know should this be the case. Stream flows will be well below peak flow and most should be easy to cross. There is the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms that may be heavy for a short time. You will be in the high mountains so there is always the chance of snow, but prolonged storms are not likely at this time of year.
Prerequisites
Prior day hiking experience is required. No prior overnight experience is required but you need to be in good physical condition, able to walk 14 miles, and gain up to 2,000 feet daily while carrying a multi-day backpack.
Acclimatization & Physical Training
For proper acclimatization, we suggest spending at least one night at a moderate altitude, higher than 8,000 feet, just prior to the start of the journey. See our detailed tips on acclimatizing and physical training in the “Resources” tab.
Shuttle
We meet in Bishop at SMC Headquarters for a gear check, then shuttle to the Horseshoe Meadows Campground, have dinner and an early bed. We’ve started the process of getting the body adapted to the thin air at 10,000 feet.
To further aid in our acclimatization, Day 1 is a short day; after this we steadily pick up the pace to Crabtree Meadows and from here climb to the 14,505 foot summit of Mount Whitney. After climbing Mt. Whitney we travel north and pick up a resupply coming in over Kearsarge Pass. The passes here are high and steep, as we travel through the wide open alpine valley of Upper Basin and below the jagged Palisade Range. But the effort is more than compensated for by the incredible scenery and after numerous high passes we drop into the deeply incised cleft of Le Conte Canyon where we get a resupply brought in by pack stock.
Next we travel into the heart of the Sierra. From Le Conte Canyon we cross Muir Pass and enter the stunning beautiful high alpine area of Evolution Valley. We drop into the San Joaquin River drainage and, staying well to the west of the main Sierra Crest, pass Lake Thomas Edison before climbing up onto the Silver Divide. We briefly touch an outpost of “civilization” at Reds Meadow where our next resupply arrives along with lunch.
For many people the last segment is the most beautiful section of the trip and now, being trail hardened and carrying lighter packs, we finish the final section quickly and efficiently. After leaving Reds Meadow we camp at Johnston Meadow. We skirt the beautiful Garnet Lake and well named Thousand Island Lake before dropping into Rush Creek and then cross Donahue Pass, our last pass. Lyell Canyon is long but nearly flat and we pause in Tuolumne Meadows to pick up our small resupply and then begin the long descent down to the the wonders of Yosemite Valley, the end of our trip, our shuttle pickup and our return the the “civilization” of Bishop.
Day One: Meet in Bishop, do a gear check and shuttle to Horseshoe Meadows.
Day Eight: Arrive at Bullfrog Lake with a resupply coming in over Kearsarge Pass.
Day Thirteen: Arrive in Le Conte Canyon and receive a resupply. Hike north to Big Pete Meadow.
Day Seventeen: A short side trip to Muir Ranch to pick up a resupply.
Day Twenty One: Arrive at Reds Meadow north of Mammoth. Here we pick up our re-supply and head north to Johnston Meadow.
Day Twenty Four: Arrive in Tuolumne Meadows.
Day Twenty Six: Arrive in Yosemite Valley.
Rental Equipment
We have rental equipment available at checkout.
Reviews
Paul, Evolution Loop Backpacking Trip
“I went on the 6-day Evolution Loop backpacking trip. I had the time of my life. The scenery was stunningly beautiful. Our guides kept us safe, prepared excellent meals, and were very knowledgeable about the area. They were friendly and kept us informed about what to expect each day. I only wish the trip lasted more days. I’ll be back for more.”
More Reviews
Brecken, Women’s Beginning Backpacking
“This service is great! I talked at length prior to the trip with the office staff on several different occasions. They answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable with the decision to take the trip. They were always so happy to chat at length. It was easy to book and the service was perfect!”
Ken, John Muir Trail
“SMC and it’s staff were completely responsible for making my JMT trip such a wonderful experience. Very competent and helped me prepare for the journey from their wealth of experience and expertise! Highly recommend this company to anyone looking for an adventure in the Sierra!”
Collette, Death Valley Backpacking
“Death Valley backpack with SMC guide Larry Gumina was exceptional!! He made awesome dinners and guided through exciting conditions (running creeks!). What a trip!!”
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