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John Muir Trail (Full)

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Sierra Nevada
Difficulty 100/100 · Extremepoint to point#thru-hike#john-muir-trail#whitney#sierra
Distance
210.4 mi
Total gain
47,000 ft
Net gain
47,000 ft
Net loss
47,000 ft
Days
18–24
Permit
Required
Campfires
Stoves only

Overview

The John Muir Trail runs 210 miles from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney — through three national parks, two wilderness areas, and 47,000 feet of climbing. The definitive Sierra thru-hike, done in three to four weeks.

Highlights

  • Yosemite's waterfalls, the Ansel Adams country, and the Palisades
  • Evolution Basin and the Muir Pass corridor
  • Forester Pass, the trail's 13,000-foot apex
  • The finish on Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Happy Isles (Yosemite Valley) (4,078 ft) · parking: Yosemite Valley parking; shuttle to Happy Isles
  • Water: Frequent creeks and lakes throughout; carry for dry ridge stretches.
  • Resupply: Resupply possible at Tuolumne Meadows, Reds Meadow, Vermilion Valley Resort, and Muir Trail Ranch.
  • Shuttle: Ends at Whitney Portal; arrange exit transport from Lone Pine.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: The Happy Isles trailhead permit is among the most competitive in the park; no additional permit needed for the rest of the trail.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Stoves only. Little Yosemite Valley restricts fires to communal rings, and much of the trail is above the 9,600-ft fire line — plan on stoves. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: The high passes are snow-free July through September in most years.

Heat: The southern sections can be hot; most of the trail is cool.

Bugs: Mosquitoes in July across the lake basins.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Eighteen to twenty-four days of self-supported hiking with 47,000 feet of gain
  • Permit for Happy Isles is extremely competitive
  • Plan resupplies at Tuolumne, Reds Meadow, VVR, and Muir Trail Ranch
  • The Whitney exit needs arranged transport from Whitney Portal

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Yosemite Valley Trails — John Muir Trail. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yosemite-valley-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). 210.4-mile one-way route with 47,000 ft elevation gain, from Happy Isles to the summit of Mount Whitney.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Mount Whitney. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Whitney. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Trail terminus at the summit of Mount Whitney, 14,505 ft.