MTS’ exclusive, ultimate challenge hiking expedition along the spine of the famous Sierra Nevadas

Of our two itineraries along the John Muir Trail, MTS veterans have claimed this award-winning, exclusive trekking expedition to be the most challenging of our entire catalog! Set in the high Sierra Nevada, it covers the southern half of the 212-mile-long John Muir Trail, stretching from Lake Florence southward to the great Mount Whitney (14,505’), the highest peak in the continental United States. This trip is nothing short of epic, which is undoubtedly why National Geographic Adventure featured it on their list of “top ten trails on the planet,” calling it “one of the most beautiful trails in the world!” Unlike most trekking expeditions in the Sierra, ours was designed to ease the burden of a heavy backpack with the support of a professional packer and a team of mules to transport your belongings and move camp, plus the 24-7 expertise of our professional mountaineer guides who know these parts like the back of their hands! You’ll camp along mountain lakes, traverse mountain passes, and see spectacular meadows of wildflowers. Once you’ve hiked the southern part of the trail, you may even be inspired to come back to tackle the northern half!

If you are interested in the slightly less strenuous “Northbound” half that ends at Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne Meadows, see The John Muir Trail - Northbound.

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Activities

15 days strenuous hiking (max. elev. 14,495')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike through the Sierra Nevada (with full mule support) on one of the world's most scenic wilderness trails on this exclusive MTS expedition, honored with Outside Magazine’s "North America Trip of the Year Award”
• Take the ultimate challenge of the southbound itinerary—claimed by our clients to be the toughest expedition in our entire catalog
• Enjoy views of stunning mountain peaks and verdant meadows filled with wildflowers—California's High Sierra at its finest
• Finish in style summiting Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,505 feet!ican Adventures,” and on National Geographic Adventure’s list of “top ten trails on the planet!”
• Learn trailside lore, flora, and fauna from your MTS professional mountaineer guides
• Renew your spirit with over two continuous weeks in the wilderness!

Duration: 17 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 : South Fork of the San Joaquin

  Drive to Florence Lake and meet the horse-packer and mules. Ferry ride across Florence Lake (7,325') and begin hiking to Evolution Lake (10,852'), a gorgeous deep blue lake that's one of the prettiest spots in the Sierra.

• Day 3 : Piute Creek–Goddard Canyon

  Hike from Piute Creek to the junction of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River and Goddard Canyon, where we'll camp.

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  Day 4 : Evolution Lake

  Hike one of the most spectacular portions of the JMT through Evolution and McClure Meadows, ending at our camp at Evolution Lake—one of the prettiest spots in the entire Sierra Nevada!

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  Day 5 : LeConte Canyon

  Cross Muir Pass (11,955') and descend into LeConte Canyon (8,735'), with its impressive vertical granite walls. Meet the first food drop with supplies of fresh provisions.

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  Day 6 : Palisades Lakes

  Hike to Mather Pass (12,100'), descend to the South Fork of the Kings River, then up to the Marjorie Lakes area, a glacier-scoured basin of stark beauty.

• Day 7 : Kings River

  Hike from Palisades Lake, descending to the South Fork of the Kings River.

• Day 8 : Crater Mountain plateau

  Cross Pinchot Pass (12,130') and Glenn Pass (11,978'), descending to Charlotte Lake. Meet the second food drop.

• Day 9 : Arrowhead Lake

  Hike into the Woods Creek basin (8,500') and ascend to camp at Arrowhead Lake (10,300').

• Day 10 : Center Basin

  Continue hiking, first through the Rae Lakes Basin, crossing Glenn Pass (11,978'), and descending to Vidette Meadow to retrieve the second food drop. Continue on to camp in Center Basin.

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  Day 11 : Forester Pass

  Cross Forester Pass (13,180'), the highest pass on the entire John Muir Trail, en route to a campsite below the Mount Whitney Massif.

• Day 12 : Wallace Creek

  A shorter day, hiking from Tyndall Creek to Wallace Creek, where we'll enjoy a lazy, restful afternoon.

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  Day 13 : Guitar Lake

  Hike past Crabtree Meadow and ascend to camp at Guitar Lake.

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  Day 14 : Mount Whitney

  Optional walk-up attempt of the summit of Mount Whitney—the highest peak in the U.S. outside of Alaska—on an uncrowded route (not via the well-used Whitney Portal trail).

• Day 15 : Rock Creek

  Make our way to the last night's camp at Rock Creek.

• Day 16 : Ancient Foxtail Pines of the Golden Trout Wilderness to trailhead. End Trek

  The last days on the trail pass through the forests and meadows of the remote Golden Trout Wilderness. Overnight in Lone Pine.

• Day 17 : Travel home

  Drive to Fresno and depart.

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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.

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  Best Western Frontier Motel

  Situated in Eastern California's beautiful Owens Valley, the Best Western Frontier Motel is ideal for guests traveling to Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as a centralized stopover between Los Angeles, Yosemite and Las Vegas. Enjoy either mountain or valley views in one of 73 well-appointed guest rooms, each featuring cable satellite television and high-speed Internet access. Guests are welcome to an expanded complimentary continental breakfast each morning before exploring Inyo County attractions. Other Lone Pine hotel amenities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, guest laundry, meeting facilities and a complimentary airport shuttle.

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.

• 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.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File