Backpacker hikes toward a rock stair case above an alpine lake on the John Muir Trail on a sunny day

A Complete Guide to Hiking the John Muir Trail

“Of all the mountain ranges I have climbed, I like the Sierra Nevada the best,” wrote John Muir, naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club. The fact that the John Muir Trail – which offers some of the most scenic vistas in the nation – bears his name is reason enough to follow his footsteps on this magnificent and challenging route.

The John Muir Trail begins in Yosemite National Park and travels 210 miles along the High Sierra mountain range through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, and King’s Canyon National Park, culminating at the highest peak in the continental United States – Mount Whitney. The route climbs nearly 46,000 feet of elevation and crosses six high-elevation mountain passes, with most people taking around three weeks to complete.

Continue reading to learn more about hiking the John Muir Trail, written by Annie Hopfensperger.

Editorial Assistant

Annie Hopfensperger

Annie supports content creation, photography, and day-to-day operations. She grew up in Wisconsin, where her family instilled a deep appreciation for spending time outdoors. In 2010, Annie took a trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness in Washington, and backpacking quickly became a passion. Since then she has explored many corners of the globe, including the Himalayas, Andes, and Antarctica, but the misty Pacific Northwest remains home. With her keen interest in gear and a focus on maximizing comfort while minimizing weight, Annie has been instrumental in the continued success and growth of CleverHiker.

Before joining CleverHiker full-time in 2017, Annie spent a decade teaching in Portland, Oregon. However, she was eager for a change and yearned to spend more time outdoors, making the move to CleverHiker a natural choice. With her enthusiasm for nature and an insatiable appetite for adventure travel, you’ll usually find Annie planning the next epic CleverHiker trip.

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

Kichujio cha kubana cha Sawyer

Kichujio cha Squeeze ya Sawyer Micro

Njia ya John Muir

Mwongozo wa Hiking

Kutoka kwa kikosi

Mazungumzo ya Campfire na jamii yetu, kutoka kwa Wanachama wa Squad na Mabalozi kwa Washirika wa Brand na timu ya Sawyer.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

4 MIN

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Mlango wa Zoe

Editor at Backpacker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange

Hiker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.