The Thief and the Fallen - Dye Sub Tank Top Mountains are calling T-Shirt Mountains Are Calling, John Muir Quote Tee T-Shirt John Muir Trail (rd) T-Shirt Muir tracks Ash Grey T-Shirt John Muir Trail (rd) Long Sleeve T-Shirt John Muir Quote Decal Mountains Speak Rectangle Magnet John Muir two birds works of nature works of God L John Muir Mountains Calling T-Shirt John Muir quote tee, The World is Big T-Shirt John Muir Mountains Earring Muir Bumper Bumper Sticker John Muir quote tee, Every Walk T-Shirt Every Two Pines Rectangle Magnet John Muir Nature Quote Wilderness T-Shirt John Muir Trail (rd) Round Ornament vintage mountains are calling Long Sleeve T-ShirtJedi Mind Tricks added 2 new photos.The 211-mile John Muir Trail traverses the backbone of California’s rugged High Sierra. The JMT, as it is often referred to, is named in honor of John Muir, one of the country’s most legendary naturalists and explorers who dedicated his life to conserving the Sierra and other iconic wilderness areas.

The JMT realized the dream of Muir and other mountaineers by providing access to the best mountain scenery in the Sierra—and arguably some of the best in the country.youth under armour antler hoodie Muir’s simple and well-known statement —“The mountains are calling and I must go”—resonates with anyone who has spent time in the Sierra range. tmt hoodieEvery year, the JMT calls hikers to follow the famous route and explore the epic beauty of the California alpine. kaporal hoodiesThe trail takes you across three national parks (Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia) and several other famously scenic wilderness areas before topping out at the 14,505-foot summit of Mt. Whitney.georgia aquarium hoodies

Here is an overview of the route, the highlights, and logistics to inspire you to follow in Muir’s footsteps and take on the challenge of the JMT.nike gpx hoodies Most hikers start at the trail’s northern terminus in Yosemite National Park and end at the summit of Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. epl hoodieAt 211 miles (plus an additional 11 miles that takes you down from the summit), most hikers will complete the trail in two to four weeks of hiking. hoodie for italian greyhoundThe trail starts in Yosemite Valley at a mere 4,000 feet of elevation, and climbs steeply up to 7,000 feet. You will hike above 7,000 feet for the rest of the route, with about one-third of the trail staying above 10,000 feet. After climbing out of  the valley, the trail heads northwest towards Tuolumne Meadows, turning south to exit the park over Donohue Pass.

From there, the JMT traverses the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Devil’s Postpile National Monument, gaining elevation as it travels south and enters the rugged landscape of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Over the course of its route, the JMT crosses six mountain passes over 11,000 feet, climbing an estimated 46,000 feet. The trail is as remote as it is rugged—the JMT route never crosses a road and comes close to civilization in only a few locations. Expect jaw-dropping views of granite peaks, turquoise lakes, jagged cliffs, and sunny alpine meadows along the JMT. With unrelenting beauty and non-stop vistas, it’s challenging to pick any section of the trail as a standout above the others. The JMT is bookended by some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country—the waterfalls and glacial carved valleys of Yosemite and the summit of the tallest peak in the contiguous United States are among the highlights for many hikers. However, the mileage in between these two famous locations includes some of the most stunning alpine country in the world.

In the Ansel Adams Wilderness, you will encounter a wonderland of craggy granite and alpine lakes. And in Devil’s Postpile, you’ll find bizarre volcanic formations that were once a lake of molten lava. As the trail travels south towards Mt. Whitney, it becomes more remote and rugged. Towering 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks line the trail as it traverses the surreal landscape of the Evolution Valley, climbs grueling passes including Mather and Pinchot, and carries you through the stunning Rae Lakes Basin. Though the JMT is considerably shorter than famous thru-hikes like the PCT, the trail is remote, physically demanding, and requires serious planning and preparation. The first obstacle that you will face when planning your JMT hike is obtaining a permit. All hikers must have a permit issued by the managing entity of your entry trailhead (one permit covers your entire hike). If you are hiking from north to south, you will need a permit for the Yosemite wilderness. These permits are limited by a 45-person quota going over Donohue Pass.

Permitsare reservable 24 weeks in advance of your start date, and are accepted by mail, fax, or phone. The park recommends submitting applications by fax from 12:01 a.m. the day before the lottery through 7:30 a.m. the day of the lottery. Permits are not guaranteed to all applicants as significantly more people apply than receive permits each year. If you can be flexible with your dates, or are willing to start from an alternate trailhead, you may increase your chances of getting a permit. After you score a permit, you will have to sort out the logistics of your trip. Depending on how much time you have and how fast you plan to hike, you will need to decide on a pace and some sort of itinerary for the trip and calculate your meals accordingly. Most hikers plan to resupply food at least once along the trail, which requires strategically planning your mileage and mailing supplies to pick up locations and/or hitchhiking to town to buy supplies. Caching food along the trail is not permitted, as the Sierras have bear populations and other wildlife.