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! This trip continues to garner great media buzz: honored as Outside magazine's North America Trip of the Year, one of Travel & Leisure's "50 Great American Adventures," and on National Geographic Adventure's list of "top ten trails on the planet!"

The John Muir Trail, named after the celebrated naturalist, 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 Yosemite Valley, follows the spine of the Sierra Nevada south, and ends 212 miles later on 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 trip, we offer you the opportunity to hike the second, "southbound" part of the trail: from Florence Lake in the John Muir Wilderness to the top of Mount Whitney—a total journey of 146 miles. Call early to reserve your space—we only do one departure in each direction, and spaces fill up fast!

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.

Click here for all North America Travel & Adventures with MTS!

Activities

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

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike one of the world's most scenic wilderness trails
• Fantastic mountains, alpine lakes, verdant meadows filled with wildflowers—California's High Sierra at its finest
  
• Climb Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental U.S.
• 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 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: 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.

• 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.

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