2023-08-29 KM11
Leaving the fork to Clouds Rest en route to Half Dome. Class 1 trail (as it is for all 344 km all down south to Mt. Whitney)
2023-08-29 KM12
Getting water at JMT crossing, east of fork to Clouds Rest. On the JMT, good running water is pretty much everywhere. In the end, we were filling only 0.5L until the next creek, which was almost always around. There are a few areas with no running water along ~5 miles (max), and those are marked on the paper map. Even then, walking 5 miles without drinking is no big deal if you hydrated well before. We never used water baladders on the move to save time on filling, but it was convenient to keep a filled one inside the tent to sip during night.
2023-08-29 KM15
Moving to Page 2 of our paper map.
En route to Half Dome
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View Larger Map
2023-08-29 KM15
Our 1st camp in 2023, just southwest of Clouds Rest, was quiet with no neighbors. We will carry this tent a total of 605 km (and up another 6.3 km) and stay in it for another 25 nights.
--- MAP --
View Larger Map
2023-08-28 KM15
Day 1 - arriving at our 1st camp - we love the concept of dispersed camping..
Dispersed camping is a form of camping that takes place outside of designated campgrounds. It is a great way to experience the wilderness without having to worry about campground fees or reservations.
-- MAP ---
Elevation Gain: 705m
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2023-08-28 KM16
We are finishing Day 1/4 (17km, 705m elevation gain) with Half Dome in the distance. Although Half Dome is not part of the JMT, we wanted to climb it as a side trip, along with Clouds Rest.
MAP
2023-08-29 Side trips
3rd time at the top of Half Dome
In the past, Half Dome was thought to be unclimbable. Yet this year, there was a report that a bear visited the summit.
Our 2nd time at the top of Clouds Rest.
2023-08-30 Day 3 Moving camp to Sunrise 8km, elevation gain 550m
KM22 Fork to Sunrise Lakes Trail, with Columbia Finger at the skyline.
KM 22 Blue skies, no wind!
From here, it is 315 km to the end (Mt. Whitney).
Sunrise High Sierra Camp was busy and noisy.
KM22 * Day 4 * Leaving JMT at Sunrise High Sierra Camp
Entering or exiting the JMT almost always takes one day. Even after reaching the end of the JMT at Mount Whitney, the shortest way out is a one-day hike to Lone Pine. We exit the JMT via the Sunrise Lakes trail and climb Sunrise Peak in the process.
MAP
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California Climbers' Salute at the top of Sunrise Mountain (3,026m)
2023-08-30 KM22-KM27
Half-day trip down to Cathedral Pass
MAP
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KM25 With Columbia Finger seen in the distance
2023-08-30
KM23 Side Trip to Sunrise Dome
MAP
KM27 (Cathedral Pass) - KM34 (Cathedral Lakes Trailhead)
Ditsance: 6.4km, elevation gain: 101m, loss: 443m
KM25
2016-08-14 Side trip to Columbia Finger
Cathedral Peak that we climbed day before
Our destination, Columbia Finger
MAP here
KM27
2016-08-12 Cathedral Pass
The only mountain pass along the JMT (there are nine) that you don’t even know you’re on is the Cathedral Pass. It took me some effort to search my photo archive to find a photo.
Cathedral Peak at the back.
MAP
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KM 27
2016-08-14 Side Trip to Echo Peak #3
Map here
KM 29
2016-08-12 Side Trip to the Lower Cathedral lake
Map here
KM 32
Yosemite National Park
We planned to climb Cathedral Peak using guide book instructions. However, after realizing that the instructions were incorrect, we decided to take a side trip to Medlicott Dome instead.
Map here
KM 33
On a day trip en route to Columbia Finger and Echo Peak #3.
KM 34
2016-08-14 Cathedral Lakes traillhead, Tuolomne Meadows, Yosemite NP. Seven years ago, you could park here, only 100 meters away from JMT. However, as of 2023, this is no longer possible.
Map
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Section KM 40 - 59 (Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center - Donohue Pass)
Elevation Gain: 997m, loss: 261m
This section lies entirely within Yosemite National Park, and its end is at Donohue Pass, which marks the park’s border. We hiked this section in 2022 during our trip to Lyell Peak, the highest peak in Yosemite.
KM 40
Moving to Page 3 of the map
At the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, you can obtain backpacking permits. Many people begin their journey on the John Muir Trail (JMT) from this location because it is easier to obtain permits here than at the official starting point in Happy Isles. Additionally, this route shortens the distance by 40 kilometers and reduces the elevation gain by 2,100 meters.
2022-06-27
While waiting for orientation, we struck up a conversation with a man in a blue jacket and asked him about his destination. It was the first time we heard of the 'JMT.' He mentioned that he was starting his journey from this point and heading south towards Mount Whitney, covering a total distance of 304 kilometers.
Getting our backpacking permits for Lyell Canyon.
KM 38
June 27, 2022 - Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park. Day 1 of a 4-day Mount Lyell trip.
Map
KM 40
2022-06-27 Near Lyell Fork Bridge, Yosemite NP
KM 40
2022-06-27 Near Lyell Fork Bridge, Yosemite NP
KM 41
East of Rafferty Creek Trail, Yosemite NP
This is classic class 1 trail of US National Park quiality, which is not always the case along JMT
2022-06-27 Day 1/4 of the Mount Lyell trip. We stop every 45 minutes for a short break.
KM 46
West of Mammoth Peak
2022-06-27 Day 1/4 of Lyell trip. Short break near Lyell Fork.
KM 47
Chatting with PCT thruh hiker: despite they hike ultra lite, this one (came from Asia) also carried an SLR camera (that's 2lb of extra mass! - impressive)
First glimpse of our objective - Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite NP
On this trip, on top of just camping, we also carried a full set of technical alpine climbing gear (snow and rock) - heavy!
2022-06-27 Now on page 4 (map)
Chatting with yet another thruh-hiker - quit his job to hike PCT
Our objective, Mount Lyell
KM 54
4km north of Donohue Pass, Yosemite NP
2022-06-27 Our home for the next three nights, Mount Lyell trip.
Lyell Fork
KM 54
Lyell Fork, Yosemite NP
2022-06-27 Day 1/4 of Mount Lyell trip
Bath time before going to bed
From here, it is 290km to the end of JMT (Mount Whitney)
KM 56
2.7km north of Donohue Pass
2022-06-28 Day 2/4 of Mount Lyell trip. Summit day.
KM 56
2.7km north of Donohue Pass
2022-06-28 Day 2/4 of Mount Lyell trip. Summit day.
Fording streams along JMT is part of fun or suffer, depending whom you ask. This one was very short and easy.
KM 56
2.6km north of Donohue Pass
2022-06-28 Mount Lyell Trip, summit day.
Shortly before leaving JMT en route to Mount Lyell
KM 57
2022-06-28 Side trip to Mount Lyell (3,997 meters)
Snow caps, California style.
Unexpected class 4 move.
Summit register. Mount Lyell had been on our wish-list for more than 5 years.
Californina Climbers' salute at the top of Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park, CA
Leaving ascent record in the summit register.
Mount Lyell done!
GPX here
KM 57
1.6km west of Donohue Pass
2022-06-29 Day 3/4 of Mount Lyell Trip
We had extra day, so we headed along JMT to climb Donohue Peak and Mount Andrea Lawrence
With Donohue Peak at the back
'
PCT thru hikers on JMT
KM 57
1.6km west of Donohue Pass
2022-06-29 Day 3/4 of Mount Lyell Trip
With happy PCT thru hiker from Canada
Group of four thru hikers and Mount Lyell, which we just climbed a day ago.
With a 75 y.o. thru hiker.
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass. Leaving JMT en route to Donohue Peak. We will be here again next year, arriving from the other side.
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Donohue Peak (3,651m) and Mount Andrea Lawrence (3,730m)
Mount Lyell (3,993m) that we climbed day before
Who was here?
Banner Peak (3,940m ,L) with Mount Ritter (4,006m) next to it on right, that we will climb a month later.
GPX here
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Donohue Peak
One more shot of Mt. Lyell
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Donohue Peak
At the top of Donohue Peak (3,665m)
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Donohue Peak
At the top of Donohue Peak (3,665m), with Ritter and Banner at the skyline
Thousand Island lake as seen from the top of Donohue Peak. JMT passes by it at the left corner (and we will be there)
Filling summit register
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Mount Andrea Lawrence from Donohue Peak
Passing with care unexpected steep snow chute
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Mount Andrea Lawrence from Donohue Peak
At the summit of Mount Andrea Lawrence (3,739m)
With Mount Lyell at the back
This mountain will be our last side trip along the JMT. For the remaining portion of 286 km down south to Mount Whitney, the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail.
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Mount Andrea Lawrence from Donohue Peak
Descending Mount Andrea Lawrence, our last peak that we climbed sideways of JMT.
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Mount Andrea Lawrence from Donohue Peak
Returning back to JMT from Donohue Peak - Mount Andrea Lawrence
KM 58
800m north of Donohue Pass.
2022-06-29 Side trip to Donohue Peak - Mount Andrea Lawrence, stats
Distance 15.4 km
Ascent: 985 m
2022-06-30 4-days backpacking trip complete!
Distance, km | Elevation Gain, m | ||
Day 1 | Hike in | 17 | 317 |
Day 2 | Lyell | 12.1 | 998 |
Day 3 | Donohue- Andrea Lawrence | 15.4 | 996 |
Day 4 | Hike out | 17 | 0 |
TOTAL | 61.5 | 2,311 |
KM 58.2 - 670m north of Donohue pass
2023-09-13
We hiked to this point to join where we left off one year ago.
With Mount Lyell at the back.
2023-09-13 KM59 - KM74 Donohue Pass - Garnett Lake (Day 2/3 of our 81km backpacking trip from Reds Meadow)
Distance : 32km
KM 59 Donohue Pass (3,373m)
Donohue Pass is the sixth highest pass of the ten named passes on the John Muir Trail.
The pass offers stunning views of the Ritter Range, Thousand Island Lake, and Banner Peak.
The pass can be reached from either the Rush Creek Trailhead near June Lake or the Tuolumne Meadows Trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
2023-09-13 At Donohue Pass
Donohue Pass is the first real mountain pass along JMT, it takes efforts to reach it from either side.
Banner Peak at the skyline (climbed 2022-07-24)
KM60.5
2023-09-13 Passing last stream before gaining Donohue Pass from south, our destinanion of 3-days 81km backpacking trip.
KM60.5
2023-09-13 1.6km from and 180m below Donohue Pass
KM61
2023-09-13 2.2km south of Donohue Pass, with Mount Andrea Lawrence at the skyline, climbed year before.
KM 62
2023-09-13 3.1km south of Donohue pass, Banner and Ritter are visible as two left peaks at the skyline .
KM 63.4
2023-09-13 Returning from Donohue Pass en route to our tent at Garnet Lake, short break at Rush Creek, 3.5km north of Island Pass.
KM 64
2023-09-13 Rush Creek
These photos were taken northbound during our 33km day trip from Garnet Lake to Donohue Pass and back to Garnet Lake. On the return, we met a woman who was searching for her husband, who had become separated on the trail. It will not be the only time when we saw hikers split before sunset, not knowing where the other is, with one carrying a tent.
KM 65.3
2023-09-13 Day 2 of section Donohue Pass - Reds Meadow (3 days, 81km, 2,983 elevation gain)
1.6 kilometers north of Island Pass en route to Donohue Pass, taking a short break to study the map and anticipate upcoming features such as running water and fords.
KM 67.2
2023-09-13 A photo of Banner (3,940m) and Ritter (4,007m) that we climbed a year ago in 2022. The picture was captured 300m southward of Island Pass (3,110m), one the lowest mountain passes along the John Muir Trail. Interestingly, we were unaware that it was a pass at the time and only discovered this after examining the map back home.
KM 67.1
On September 13, 2023, on the John Muir Trail (JMT), 200 meters southward of Island Pass.
KM 67
2023-09-13
Hiking northbound, approaching Island Pass, 300 meters away.
Passing the almost same spot on the way back to our camp at Garnet Lake.
KM 67
2023-09-13 Hiking northbound south of Island Pass, en route to Donohue Pass, with Banner-Ritter at the rear.
Now on page 5 of the map
2023-09-13 KM 67.7
KM 67.8
KM 67.2
2023-09-13 300m southward of Island Pass
KM 68.4
2023-09-13 North of Thousand Island Lake, with Banner (3,940m) in the background. This point was seen from Donohue Peak last year.
The photo was taken during our 33km day hike from Garnet Lake to Donohue Pass.
In 1923, Ansel Adams visited this place and took a photo titled 'Banner Peak – Thousand Island Lake.' I couldn't find it on the Internet, so I wonder what it looked like..
KM 69.3
2023-09-13 Thousand Island Lake
The Pacific Crest Trail/Thousand Island Lake landmark is situated at one-fifth of the total length of the John Muir Trail (JMT). From this point to the end, Mount Whitney, the distance is 275 km.
KM 70.3
2023-09-13 Passing Emerald Lake 3.1 kilometers northward of Garnet Lake.
KM 70.7
2023-09-13 Emerald Lake
KM 71.1
2023-09-13 Navigating Ruby Lake on our way to the tent at Garnet Lake, following our ascent of Donohue Pass, was a 33km round-trip day hike.
KM 73.4
2023-09-13 After hiking 33km to Donohue Pass and back, there is only 600m left to our tent, located near the footbridge over the Garnet Lake outflow.
KM 73.4
2023-09-13 Garnet Lake in the morning, Ritter - Banner in the background
KM 73.4
2023-09-13 Garnet Lake in the morning,
KM 74
2023-09-13 Our tentsite at Garnet Lake, we are leaving for the 33km day hike to Donohue Pass.
KM 74
2023-09-14 After spending 2 nights at Garnet Lake, we are ready to return and hike out 24 km to our car at Red's Meadow.
Ritter-Banner, as seen in the morning from our tent site at Garnet Lake.
KM 74.7
2023-09-12
First view of Garnet Lake, our destination after a 22km hike with an elevation gain of 1,200m. We begin searching for a tent site where we will be staying for two nights; our ultimate goal is Donohue Pass.
Although Garnet Lake is very beautiful, it is not among the three most impressive lakes along the John Muir Trail (Thousand Island Lake KM73, Evolution Lake KM197 and Rae Lakes KM283).
KM 75.6
Ups and downs are among the top fun parts of the JMT, along with fords, dispersed camping, and mountain passes. Switchbacks are not for everybody to enjoy, but after experiencing BC wild trails (like Wedgemount, for example, or even the BCMC trail), this is pretty good. Why complain if the trail is class 1 all the way for 344 km from Yosemite to Mount Whitney?
2023-09-12 En route to Garnet Lake
KM 75.4
2023-09-14 Day 3/3 marks the conclusion of our journey to Donohue Pass from Reds Meadow.
Here's an interesting tidbit about the John Muir Trail (JMT): Spanning approximately 211 miles (344 km), the trail begins at Yosemite Valley and concludes at Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
KM 77.3 (1.7km northward of Shadow lake)
2023-09-12 Commercial packers are frequent along the JMT. They carry supplies and sometimes help stranded hikers.
KM 76
2023-09-14
2.8 km northward of Shadow Lake, The Minarets stand proudly against the skyline.
KM 78
2023-09-12
Day 1/3 of the Reds Meadow - Donohue Pass - Reds Meadow trip. We passed the fork to Ediza Lake, where we camped a year before during our trip to Banner - Ritter.
KM 77.3
2023-09-14
Day 3/3 of Reds Meadow - Donohue Pass - Reds Meadow 81km trip. 700 m northward of the trail to Ediza Lake.
Fun fact about JMT: The trail passes through three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia.
KM 78
2023-09-14 Day 3/3 of the Reds Meadow - Donohue Pass - Reds Meadow trip.
At the fork to Ediza Lake, passing this spot for the forth time (and hopefully not the last). We plan to do JMT again (2x344km = 688km distance) this season (2024 that is) and looking forward to it.
KM 78.1
2023-09-14 Passing by Shadow Creek
Fun fact about JMT: The trail was constructed between 1915 and 1932, following a route that John Muir and his companions explored in 1908.
KM 78.1
2023-09-12 Mighty Wester Juniper tree lives up to ~3,000 years, impressive!
KM 79
2023-09-12 At the marker "Shadow Lake"
2023-09-14 As always, we stop every 45 minutes, have snacks, drink some water, and check the map.
KM 79
2023-09-14 Passing west end of Shadow Lake on return from Donohue Pass (Day 3/3).
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