This six-day segment of the John Muir Trail takes us through some of the most beautiful portions of the JMT. This hike has a little of everything, a wide river valley, a high pass crossing, great views, stunningly beautiful lakes, and jagged peaks.

This trip can be made in either direction but we like to start from Mammoth Lakes, enabling you to spend the night before the trip in Mammoth and gain some acclimatization to the elevation. We hope to get to camp in the early afternoon each day, to allow time to sit by a lake in the sun and read a book, go fishing or take an afternoon hike without the overnight pack.

Inclusions

Price includes guiding, permits, tents, kitchen gear, shuttles, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and a resupply. We will leave vehicles in Mammoth Lakes during the trip. We will take the YARTS shuttle from Yosemite Valley, back to Mammoth, at the end of the trip. Shuttle is included in your trip price and is organized by SMC. 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 meals. We will resupply you in Tuolumne Meadows on day 4, so that you only have to carry 3.5 days’ worth of food from the start of the trip!

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 an physical training in the “Resources” tab.