Hiking the John Muir Trail

Hiking, trekking and camping since a young age, David Jordan's earliest memories of walking adventures were family holidays, let loose among trees and fields with a Kodak 'instamatic' camera and notebook. Many years on, little has changed, although the boots are bigger and camera technology has definitely improved. Still the highlights of each passing year are the opportunities to roam, explore, photograph and document what was found.David has hiked and camped extensively across much of the higher ground of the UK, Europe and Norway, as well as the US. A first taste of long-distance walking started with a circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc in 1992 and led through sections of the Appalachian Trail to a full thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016. Returning to the Alps David spent four years researching and exploring the Grande Traversata Delle Alpe. In 2023 David hiked the JMT and the PCT for a second time and became one of fewer than 200 people ever to thru-hike the trail more than once.When not travelling David lives on the Arnside and Silverdale peninsula, a designated 'area of outstanding natural beauty' on the edge of the English Lake District with his wife and dog.

• Mountain safety Route summary tables Overview profile Introduction Who was John Muir? The John Muir Trail Planning your hike Planning resources When to hike Hiking southbound vs northbound Permits and regulations Stages and resupply How to get there Training and preparation Using this guide Essential information Waymarking and navigation Water supply and purification Food and storage Camping Toileting Equipment Health and first aid Hazards and safety Leave No Trace principles The mountains of The Sierra Nevada Formation and geology Plants and flowers Wildlife Human history The John Muir Trail Stage 1 Yosemite Valley (Happy Isles) to Merced Lake Trail junction Northbound: Merced Lake Trail junction to Yosemite Valley (Happy Isles) Stage 2 Merced Lake Trail junction to Tioga Road (east crossing) Northbound: Tioga Road (east crossing) to Merced Lake Trail junction Stage 3 Tioga Road (east crossing) to Lyell Fork Bridge Northbound: Lyell Fork Bridge to Tioga Road (east crossing) Stage 4 Lyell Fork Bridge to Ruby Lake outlet Northbound: Ruby Lake outlet to Lyell Fork Bridge Stage 5 Ruby Lake outlet to JMT/PCT junction Northbound: JMT/PCT junction to Ruby Lake outlet Stage 6 JMT/PCT junction to Duck Pass Trail junction Northbound: Duck Pass Trail junction to JMT/PCT junction Stage 7 Duck Pass Trail junction to Goodale Pass Trail junction Northbound: Goodale Pass Trail junction to Duck Pass Trail junction Stage 8 Goodale Pass Trail junction to Bear Ridge Trail junction Northbound: Bear Ridge Trail junction to Goodale Pass Trail junction Stage 9 Bear Ridge Trail junction to Sallie Keys Lake outlet Northbound: Sallie Keys Lake outlet to Bear Ridge Trail junction Stage 10 Sallie Keys Lake outlet to Goddard Canyon Trail junction Northbound: Goddard Canyon Trail to Sallie Keys Lakes outlet Stage 11 Goddard Canyon Trail junction to Evolution Lake outlet Northbound: Evolution Lake outlet to Goddard Canyon Trail junction Stage 12 Evolution Lake outlet to Bishop Pass Trail junction Northbound: Bishop Pass Trail junction to Evolution Lake outlet Stage 13 Bishop Pass Trail junction to Lower Palisade Lake outlet Northbound: Lower Palisade Lake outlet to Bishop Pass Trail junction Stage 14 Lower Palisade Lake outlet to Lake Marjorie Northbound: Lake Marjorie to Lower Palisade Lake outlet Stage 15 Lake Marjorie to Woods Creek Bridge Northbound: Woods Creek Bridge to Lake Marjorie Stage 16 Woods Creek Bridge to Lower Vidette Meadow Northbound: Lower Vidette Meadow to Woods Creek Bridge Stage 17 Lower Vidette Meadow to Shepherd Pass Trail junction Northbound: Shepherd Pass Trail junction to Lower Vidette Meadow Stage 18 Shepherd Pass Trail junction to Crabtree Ranger Station Northbound: Crabtree Ranger Station to Shepherd Pass Trail junction Stage 19 Crabtree Ranger Station to Mount Whitney Northbound: Mount Whitney Summit to Crabtree Ranger Station Access/Exit A Mount Whitney to Whitney Portal Trailhead Alternative Access/Exit B Access/Exit via Cottonwood Pass Trailhead Alternative Access/Exit C Access/Exit via Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Appendix A Mountain passes along the JMT Appendix B Ranger stations along the JMT Appendix C Access and resupply along the JMT Appendix D Local information and conversions Appendix E Useful addresses and websites Appendix F Further reading

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