The only way to hike the JMT is with mules to carry the load—an MTS exclusive!

Hike the iconic John Muir Trail in MTS signature style! Named after the celebrated naturalist, John Muir Trail, is arguably the most beautiful long-distance trail in the world, graced by an unsurpassed panorama of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks, countless lakes, verdant meadows, and huge granite walls. It begins in the Yosemite Valley, follows the spine of the Sierra Nevada south, and ends 212 miles later at the summit of Mount Whitney (14,495'), the highest peak in the continental United States.

We have adopted a traditional Himalayan trekking feature: pack animals to carry your gear. Forget having to tote everything on your back; all you need to carry is your daypack. We’re the only company with hiking trips on the JMT that provides mules to carry your load. After each day of incredible hiking through the alpine lakes, verdant wildflower-filled meadows, and huge granite walls of the High Sierra, you’ll take off your boots and relax with a gourmet meal.

On this departure we offer you the opportunity to hike the first, "northbound" half of the trail: from Florence Lake to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park (103 miles). Call early to reserve your space—we only do one departure in each direction, and spaces fill up fast!

NOTE—this trail does not include the climb of Mount Whitney. If you are interested in the "southbound" half that does include the climb, see our award-winning trip The John Muir Trail - Southbound.

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Activities

11 days strenuous hiking (max. elev. 11,050')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike one of the world's most scenic wilderness trails—but with mules to carry most of the gear!
• Fantastic mountains, alpine lakes, verdant meadows filled with wildflowers—California's High Sierra at its finest
• Hike into Yosemite National Park
• Outside magazine honored this with the 2004 "North America Trip of the Year Award!" It’s also one of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Great American Adventures,” and is on National Geographic Adventure’s list of “top ten trails on the planet!”
• MTS is the only company to offer mules to carry your load on the JMT!

Duration: 13 days Start Location: Fresno End Location: Fresno

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Travel to Fresno, California

  Travel to Fresno, California, gateway to the Sierra.

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  Day 2 : Sallie Keyes cut-off

  Drive to Florence Lake and meet the horse-packer and mules. Ferry ride across Florence Lake (7,325') and begin hiking in the John Muir Wilderness. Cross Selden Pass (10,880') and hike into the Mono Creek Drainage at 7,870'.

• Day 3 : Rosemarie Meadow

  Hike over Selden Pass to Bear Creek Meadows.

• Day 4 : Mono Creek

  Mostly downhill hiking into the Mono Creek Drainage (7,870').

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  Day 5 : Chief Lake

  Cross Silver Pass (10,880') and the Silver Divide to our next camp at Chief Lake. Here we'll meet our first food drop.

• Day 6 : Duck Lake

  Hike past Tully Hole and Purple Lake to camp at Duck Lake junction (9,600').

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  Day 7 : Red’s Meadow

  Hike to Red's Meadow in the Mammoth area, where we'll pick up our second food drop and camp with superb views of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.

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  Day 8 : Shadow Creek

  Enter the Ansel Adams Wilderness, named after the famous photographer and conservationist. We'll spend the next two nights at our camp near Shadow Creek—tomorrow is a layover day to photograph, fish, hike, or just relax.

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  Day 9 : Layover day

  Layover day in the heart of John Muir Trail country to photograph, fish, hike, wash socks, and just plain “hang out.”

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  Day 10 : Upper Rush Creek

  Hike through the famous “postcard” John Muir Trail country of Garnett, Waugh, and Thousand Island Lakes. Hike over Island Pass (10,205’) to our campsite on Rush Creek.

• Day 11 : Lyell Fork

  Hike over towering Donahue Pass (11,050') and down to the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park.

• Day 12 : End trek – Return to Fresno

  Hike the remaining 6½ miles along the John Muir Trail and finish the journey in Tuolumne Meadows.

• Day 13 : Depart

  Transfer by free shuttle to the airport for homeward-bound flights.

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  Piccadilly Inn Airport Hotel

  A superb full service hotel for business and leisure travelers alike, Piccadilly Inn Airport offers a combination of comfort, convenience and style with 185 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites. Experience a refreshing change of pace in our outdoor pool, set in a lush tropical setting. Or work off some energy in our fitness center and then relax in our heated outdoor spa.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Laura Steinbach

  My first visit to the Sierra Nevada was back in 2002 on a three month backpacking trip along the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails. Since that very trip, I have been infected with all that these mountains have to offer and, following that hike it took me only one year to find my way back to California on a more permanent basis. I'll be the first to acknowledge that it was the backpacking, climbing and horseback riding that drew me here, but what I find most intriguing is difficult to describe and certainly isn't apparent in photographs. It's the sound of the spring meltwater, the feel of the warm Sierran granite, and the haze that settles over the mountains just as dusk falls. These are the things that can only be realized by being here in the midst of it all. Throughout all of my travels, I've never found a better playground... or office.

• Csuri “Chudy” Odry

  Csuri (pronounced "Chudy"), but we all call her Chude, was born to Hungarian parents who settled in the Yosemite area in the 1980's. She has been a local for over 20 years and it shows! Chude is one of the most versatile guides we have on the staff. Chude can guide naturalist day hikes in Yosemite one day, rock climbing in the high country the next and prepare and leave for a 23-day John Muir Trail the following. Her backcountry ethics and wilderness first aid skills are legendary making her reputation as a mountain-woman the real deal. But don't let that fool you, her sense of humor, pleasant demeanor in the backcountry, and ability to relate to all walks of life make her one the most respected guides in the area. When not guiding in the summers, Chude works as ski patrolwoman in the winter, spends time with her daughter, and manages to travel each year to such places like Thailand and Costa Rica. This winter she plans to get to Annapurna, Nepal to research a new trekking trip that many of her past clients what her to lead them to.

• Patrick Warren

  I first came to the Sierra in 1999 to pursue my dream of becoming a Wilderness-EMT and work for YOSAR (Yosemite Search and Rescue). I spent that season working on my medical and mountain skills and was able to capture my dream and spend the next seven seasons working for YOSAR and climbing the best granite on earth in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. During that time I was fortunate enough to complete many great ascents ranging from steep alpine ice on Mt. Mendal to alpine rock endeavors such as the Dark Star on Temple Crag. I've also accomplished Big Wall ascents of El Cap, Washingtons Column, Leaning Tower, Half Dome and the Falls Wall to name a few. My love for the Sierra doesn't start or stop with my 17-year climbing obsession, but continues and feeds my love of backcountry trout fishing and backpacking. I have found with a little extra effort you can find yourself on a secluded California stream, river or alpine lake soaking up the sun, chasing wild trout and living the best life possible. The Sierra has been a life-changing experience for me and I hope to share a little of this experience with you on an SYMG trip very soon.

• Colby Brokvist

  Colby Brokvist hails originally from New England, a place where it is unusually difficult to commit to only one sport. Having a background in backpacking, mountaineering and rock climbing, he is a perfect fit for anything the Sierra has to offer. An enthusiastic naturalist, Colby also holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and finds his passion for guiding in providing interpretive and educational experiences for all of his clients. Describing his love for guiding, Colby wrote "It is both the serenity and excitement of the wilderness that compels me to it and I only hope to enjoy it with good friends". Colby can be found typically leading our longer backpacks such the John Muir Trail, Yosemite High Passes Loop, The Yosemite Grand Traverse and Trans-Sierra Trails. He has personally hiked the entire Appalachian Trail as well as most of the Pacific Crest Trail. When not in the Sierra high country, he can be found guiding interpertive trips in Polar Bear habitat as well as camp hosting in Namibia for adventure safaris.

• Tim Bluhm

  I was born in Los Angeles, 1970. My parents were, and still are, avid outdoorspeople and from before I can remember I was cruising the mountains of California. The Sierra Nevada, in particular, is a place of inspiration for me. I learned to ski and climb here, and have passed many sun-drenched days in the high country with my family and friends. It is a place I associate with health, freedom and adventure. The passing of the sun, the stars and the moon, and the sound of ones' own footsteps take over, slowing the internal clock to a normal rate, a slower speed that is all but forgotten in the race of modern life. It is a privilege to share this experience with others who seek it. You can read more about Tim's adventurous lifestyle as a mountain guide and accomplished musician in December's OUTSIDE MAGAZINE feature article entitled "The 25 Coolest People Now", where he was chosen along side athletes and icons such as Lance Armstrong, Laird Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Phelps and Kerri Walsh. For Tim Bluhm music, go to the Mother Hips web site. Tim will also be leading a unique High Sierra Singer-Songwriter Workshop trip again this summer.

photo credits: ©Christopher Bettencourt