John Muir Trail 2006

“I know several people were going to hike the JMT in 2006. I wonder how many people did it, and how the trip worked out. I'd be interested in seeing pics and reports of your trips, if you have a web site with such information. If you did it in other years, please post a link to your website, trip report, and photos.”

“check out trailjournals.com. they have journals and pics from every long trail imaginable”

“I'm reading a really interesting book about a back country ranger, Randy Morgenson, who disappeared from out that way in 1996. Same area?”

“I was interested in how billtownsend, donnorton, Jimmy San, Bowlderman, and grass' trips came out. I know Snow Nymph has hiked the JMT a lot.”

“Snow Nymph has a nice report at http://www.snow-nymph.com/ If you search this site for JMT, or for Muir you'll find other stuff.

I'm hoping to get there before too many years pass.”

“There are a handful of people who have done the trail in years past: geologyguy, rockman, paige, gforce, prosecutor, buck”

“Sunshine1 also finished the JMT on G-Force's trip.
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/562.php”

“dhutch - Yes. I haven't read the book myself, but it is one of the Sierra backcountry rangers. Takes place on/near the JMT.

Hard to describe the John Muir Trail...have to see it for yourself. I've hiked about 1/3 of it altogether so far.”

“dad.. when are we going to do all of it? I have to catch up to you too!
last edited: 11/30/06 1:58:17 AM”

“my plans for the JMT are for august of 2007 (next summer) so i haven't made the hike yet. sorry. i have done a LOT of planning, however.”

“Good luck next year Jimmy San! Hiking the entire JMT makes for a great trip. The pictures for our trip can be found on my webshots page at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/gforce96

As a side note I've now hiked the Long Trail (2003-04), JMT (2005), and the Wonderland Trail (2006). It is very hard to compare the three trails, but here's some of my personal observations:

The Wonderland Trail was rated the top trail in one of Backpacker Magazine's articles. After hiking both the JMT and WT, I can say that I enjoyed the JMT trip much more. That's not to say anything negative about the WT because I would stongly encourage anyone to hike it if they can . . . but if I had to choose between the two the JMT would be my choice . . . .

From a physical standpoint, the Long Trail is by far the most difficult of the three trails. The Wonderland Trail is more physically demanding than the JMT, but not by much because of the altitudes you have to deal with on the JMT.

From a shear beauty standpoint I think the JMT is tops. It seemed like every day we were on the trail we would say it (the beauty) can't get any better than this, but every day it did . . . all the way to Mt. Whitney. The Wonderland Trail is very beautiful too. Mainly, because you have a mountain to look at who's summit is over 7,000 feet higher than the highest point you cross on the trail. It is impossible to describe in words, or capture in pictures, the feeling of awe you experience when the weather allows Mt. Rainier to come into your view. The Long Trail in Vermont . . . well, you just don't have the views that you get out west.

Out of the three, the most rewarding hiking experience for me was hiking the Long Trail. It's very difficult to explain why, and for many the answer wouldn't be the same because it depends on what you like to experience most in a long distance hike. I really enjoy meeting others along the trail and sharing experiences, and the shelter system on the Long Trail provides a better environment to experience this. It's probably the main reason I decided to hike the AT next year, assuming nothing happens between now and April to prevent me from doing so, rather than the PCT.

BTW, there are pictures from all three hikes on my webshots page.”

“I did a partial JMT as a resupplier from Red's Meadow to Whitney Portal this past summer (2006). Next year (2007) I want to do the whole thing in 15 days. How long are you guys planning on taking? My planned schedule for next summer is 8/18/07 through 9/1/07. (9/3 is Labor Day so I'll still have a 2 day weekend to recuperate). On my plan there are only 4 nights camping over 10000ft (no camp fires over 10000ft) and there are no days with 2 passes to climb. I am planning to resupply at Red's Meadow and Muir Trail Ranch via mail.

Day1 13.7m Sunrise Camp
Day2 16.1m Vogelsang Pass Trail
Day3 14.9m Garnet Lake
Day4 12.6m Red's Meadow
Day5 13.4m Purple Lake
Day6 14.1m Mono Creek Bridge-near Edison Lk
Day7 15.7m Sallie Keyes Lakes
Day8 16.3m McClure Ranger Station
Day9 17.1m Little Pete's Meadow
Day10 17.2m Upper Basin
Day11 15.1m South Fork Trail
Day12 13.3m Bubbs Creek Trail
Day13 12.0m Shepherds Pass Trail
Day14 13.6m Guitar Lake
Day15 16.7m Whitney and exit at Portal”