The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a world-famous trek and North America’s best
known walking trail. It runs for 216 miles through California’s Sierra Nevada
mountains, from Yosemite Valley (El Capitan and Half-Dome) to the summit of
Mount Whitney (14,496ft), the highest peak in the US outside Alaska. It also
makes up part of the epic Pacific Crest Trail which runs the length of the
Rockies through Canada and the US.
All you need to know to plan and prepare for your trip is contained within
this guide, from obtaining trekking permits to buying trek food and forwarding
food caches along the trail. Abundant advice is given on such topics as
dealing with inquisitive bears, coping with altitude, negotiating river
crossings, as well as tips on booking transport to and from the trailheads and
on what equipment to take. In addition there is a detailed description of the
flora and fauna of this remarkable region.
The walking trail, which is named after the great 19th-century Scottish
naturalist, conservationist and writer John Muir, is entirely through the
unspoilt wilderness of the American West and passes through three national
parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Information
includes:
– advice on preparation, including trekking permits, food caches along the
trail and how to deal with bears and river crossings
– variants and escape routes, camp sites, bear box locations and resupply
points
– ascent, descent and distance tables for all stages