As far as I can tell, looks like rain wouldn't hit till 2 PM. https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/ca/bishop/KCABISHO33/date/2018-07-11
Get up at 4 AM, and just try and fly I guess. Plan everything accordingly.
If you can't make it, you can keep tabs on various sections through the comments on Alltrails, such as https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mist-falls
I've found the Alltrails community to be very helpful in the past when I was preparing for various excursions.
The smoke is currently starting to impact the northern half of the trail. It’s not bad at the moment, but keep in mind the fire is less than 48 hours old: https://www.windy.com/-PM2-5-pm2p5?cams,pm2p5,36.567,-119.130,7
There are no commercial motives behind the survey, just interest in the JMT and hiker's experiences. To go directly to the pre-hike survey to take it yourself use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014JMTR2014presurvey
Do you have a through permit or are you camping in LYV the first night? Halfdome?
Edit: Haven't heard back so here is my response.
Here is an itinerary that assumes:
You are starting at Happy Isles
You are doing Half Dome on the first day
You have a through permit (are not required to camp at Little Yosemite Valley the first night)
You will resupply at Tuolomne Meadows, Reds Meadow, and Muir Trail Ranch
All of the data and camp sites are from the 2014 edition of John Muir Trail: The Essential Guide to Hiking America’s Most Famous Trail by Elizabeth Wenk. Distances are in miles, elevation in feet.
No the advice you were looking for, but for me, all over the JMT.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y655DJD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It weighs about as much as a USB power adapter itself, and completely charged up my small 6700 mAH battery everyday. The entire setup weighed less than a 10,000 mAH power bank.
Solar doesn’t work everywhere, but it did along my 2020, and 2021 JMT hikes.
>Not gear related but was hoping someone could chime in on start dates. Would you prefer to start in early (8/10) or late August (8/21)?
Earlier the better this year. All signs point to another drought year and wildfires may be earlier than typical and trip ending
Agree with others. Get a 20 degree bag instead
There are lighter shelter and pad options
I am taking a BV450 this year but I am exiting more often to do so. Most people take a BV500. In terms of Bearikade, you can rent them but it's actually not cheap. In my opinion, if you have the money, you can just buy one outright and resell it afterwards for 90% of its original value. You'll actually spend less than renting really
Unless you want the knife for a specific reason like cooking, you can get this small swiss army with scissors and it will have just as good, if not better, functionality for less weight
Agree with others. Ditch the pants (you are wearing shorts) and get Amazon dance pants which will act as windpants/camp pants
Personally, I would leave the e-reader at home. Opt for audiobooks on phone
Buy this book and read it.
Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail https://www.amazon.com/dp/1426219970/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_P5TZ456VD7ZGRHQM3HAW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Wenk’s book is great - it’s available as an ebook - both NOBo and SOBO - it also has the most comprehensive summary of camping locations .
NOBO - https://www.amazon.com/John-Muir-Trail-Essential-Americas-ebook/dp/B00LKCPVKG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1U0BPC6QDJ1K&keywords=elizabeth+wenk&qid=1642740326&sprefix=elizebeth+we%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-4 SOBO - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWTR57C/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=Ci1Vd&pf_rd_p=f0565570-f67b-4783-ab26-5a1f2c0bb3fd&pf_rd_r=YZ9HJR3ETKJHF1PHQ3J8&pd_rd_r=a2e73bd2-6574-4694-a51e-eb0dd4287a7c&pd_rd_wg=7UdBU&ref_=bd_tags_dp_rec
She has written extensively on different aspects of the Sierra - so look for some other titles from her too.
I used the digital version NoBo - read up on each section the day before.
John Muir Laws “Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada” on Kindle app. It is the most comprehensive.
I think I found the perfect weather app. This page has air particulate and webcam layers turned on: https://www.windy.com/-PM2-5-pm2p5?cams,pm2p5,36.567,-119.130,7
I don’t think the JMT is at risk of burning from the River Fire, but the smoke is making its way there.
Get these. I have 2,000+ miles on them and they are holding up great. Prob. get another 2-3000 miles.
If this is your first long hike, stop every couple of hours or so, take off your shoes and socks and let your feet breathe. If you come to a stream crossing, soak your feet in the water for a little bit. I guarantee your feet will feel so much better after soaking them in cold water.
Also, I recommend a portable bidet. I got one for my 2nd trip and oh boy, it was a game changer. Here's one I got:
got myself a new puffy !! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087SYY2DR
8oz , for XXL , I just saved 11oz :)
XXL is comfy enough for my body/belly
pricey, but super warm .
Might have to rethink my Sleep system now that I have such a high likelihood of snow pack and or snow storms this early in June. Thinking now something closer to 10 degrees comfort. Thoughts?
AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra-Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag Three-Season Down Sleeping Bag Mummy Down Sleeping Bag Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XE2SKG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BH011K9EEBQXSFAGF9KK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It already looks pretty good but a few suggestions:
Enjoy the trip. It is challenging (in a good way!) and it will far exceed your already high expectations!
I’ve backpacked multiple years with a 30 degree bag, including in Yosemite and on the JMT. At lower elevations it kept me warm enough, but I was uncomfortably cold many nights at higher elevations And had a hard time sleeping. The 30 degree rating is an indication of what will keep you warm enough to live, not what will keep you comfortable.
You might consider bringing a Mylar (foil) emergency blanket with you: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZN0KGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wAgkFbBMARH34
It’s super light (only 2oz) and very effective. You can sleep in it with your quilt over the top and you will be completely warm.
I used this approach after one particularly cold and sleepless night in late Aug at the White Wolf campground in Yosemite. This camp is at a fairly high elevation, but not as high as passes on the JMT. Fortunately, I was still at the start of my trek and had access to my car. After freezing my arse off most of that night, I was worried about having similar nights in the backcountry. So I made a quick trip to Lee Vining and picked up an emergency blanket at a sporting goods shop. One of the best last min gear additions I’ve ever made. SinCe then, I’ve upgraded to a 10 degree bag, but still bring an unused emergency blanket with me when I’m hiking at higher elevations.
Good luck with your trek. Hope you have an amazing time!!
Here's a link to the JMT guide It's also available on Amazon.
Note, if you are a Kindle Unlimited reader, then the e-book is included in your subscription for free.
I recommend the guide as an e-book as there are numerous links to the resources that I reference. I've also included things like my top 3 pieces of gear if I was to do it over again (and budget was not an issue). There is also links to both Google Maps and Google Earth with the places I camped each night on the trail. I also flagged the mountain passes on the maps. There is yet another link to my JMT packing list saved in Google Docs.
I included the URL's to all links in the book (both e-book and print version), so anyone that prefer's a real printed book, you'd just have to type in the URL yourself, rather than clicking a link in the e-book.
I tried my best to consolidate all the information and resources that I had to compile when planning my hike.
I'm more than happy to answer any questions that I can, from my perspective, of my hike in 2018.
I hope to be lucky enough to hike the JMT again some day. It is life changing.
Cheers.
Are you attached to those water shoes/camp shoes? My water shoes weigh 6.3 oz. have you checked out Aleaders or similar on amazon? They weigh about 9 oz for the pair. Zhuanglin Men's Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSGZ76F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ecG9EbQHQPYQH
Also most of the time you’ll be carrying 2 L or less of water so you can lighten up a bit there. I do recommend bringing the bottle tho Incase you want to dry camp and need extra water.
Also it looks like you have some items listed twice. Usually on these lists you don’t include the clothes you are wearing in your base weight. Just list them under clothes worn section.
Have a great trip!
Probably not a bit deal. I usually bring a polycro sheet just in case I want to forgo the tent altogether and just cowboy camp. They're only like 2oz and you can buy them at Walmart or on Amazon for like $2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NHW2Z6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1