John Muir Trail
This renowned long-distance trail skims the backbone of the High Sierra country.
Plan Around John Muir Trail
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John Muir Trail Details
The 211-mile-long John Muir Trail begins at Happy Isles in the Yosemite Valley and ends at the summit of Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park -- at 14,505 feet, the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada range. Running mostly through backcountry and wilderness in the High Sierra, the trail overlaps the Pacific Crest Trail among much of its length and also passes through Kings Canyon National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, and the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. Within Yosemite, the trail runs northeast from Happy Isles past Half Dome and into Tuolumne Meadows -- one of the few lower-altitude segments of the trail -- then up into the Sierra Nevada mountains and out of the Park. Hiking season generally runs from July-September, since winter snows hinder or prevent travel at other times of year. Hikers mostly travel north to south, starting in Yosemite. Hikers must obtain a wilderness permit to traverse the John Muir Trail at the Park where they begin their journey. The trail was named for the first president of the Sierra Club, John Muir, who was also instrumental in the founding of Yosemite National Park. Construction of the trail took 46 years to complete, with the final segment opening in 1938. Trailhead: Happy Isles Shuttle Stop #16
Difficulty
High
Distance
37 miles
Estimated time
72 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around John Muir Trail
Compare nearby parks around John Muir Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around John Muir Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond John Muir Trail while the map context is still fresh.
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Half Dome
Aided by the famous cable walk, this is Yosemite's most famous hike, and one of its toughest.
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Half Dome
One of the Park's most familiar rock formations and a Yosemite icon.
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Half Dome
One of California'ss most familiar rock formations and a Yosemite icon.
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Half Dome Trail
Aided by the famous cable walk, this is Yosemite's most famous hike, and one of its toughest.
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Little Yosemite Valley
The lush, shaded, yellow pine forest lining this valley floor is very popular among hikers and backpackers.
