California John Muir Trail Southbound to Mt. Whitney Trekking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Fred A.

Fred enjoyed his first backpacking trip in college, walking 20+ miles in inappropriate footwear and spending a few cold nights in front of the fire without a sleeping bag. He caught the travel bug from there and was soon plotting and executing adventures in California's endless wild places. In addition to being an adventure guide, Fred is also an EMT with a certification in wilderness medicine. He's hiked and climbed thousands of miles around the Sierra including a solo 200+ mile hike of the Sierra High Route. Join Fred on MT Sobek's hiking adventures in California.

Alex K.

Alex grew up in Concord, New Hampshire exploring the mountains of New England. It was here that his spirit and passion for adventure began. Alex's love for shared wilderness experiences has culminated in a degree in Outdoor Education and certifications from the American Mountain Guiding Association (AMGA). Moving to California was the culmination of a dream come true, where he is able to combine his passion for climbing with a career in guiding. He has a tremendous amount of experience in the backcountry and great leadership qualities.

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                    [Headline] => Arrive in Fresno, California
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Arrive in Fresno, California, to check in at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fresno Yosemite Airport, near the Fresno air terminal, by 4pm. At 6pm, join the guides for an orientation and final gear check, along with a welcome dinner near the hotel.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.7323
                    [Longitude] => -119.7837
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                    [DayFrom] => 2
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                    [Headline] => Follow the South Fork of the San Joaquin River
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-4 hours/6.3-8 miles hiking with 1,500\' elevation gain and 1,050\' elevation loss
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Meet at 7am after breakfast, then drive about three hours to Florence Lake where you meet the horse-packer and mules to offload the gear. Then begin the first leg of the trip, which starts with a ferry ride across Florence Lake (7,325\'). Today\'s mild acclimatizing hike goes 6.3 miles through lush meadows following the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. There is a 500-foot elevation gain along the way to the camp on the San Joaquin River.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 3-hour private van transfer & ferry ride
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                    [Latitude] => 37.2364
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                    [DayFrom] => 3
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                    [Headline] => Hike from Piute Creek to Goddard Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-4 hours/6.4 miles with 1,437\' elevation gain and 775\' elevation loss
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Continue the acclimatization process with another "easy" day on the trail. From Piute Creek, hike 6.2 miles of relatively flat terrain to the junction of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River and Goddard Canyon. Get a good night\'s sleep here in preparation for the ascent into the famous Evolution Canyon.
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                    [Headline] => Reach Evolution Lake
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-5 hours/7.81 miles with 2,820\' elevation gain and 425\' elevation loss
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Today\'s hike is approximately seven miles with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet into what some call the most spectacular portion of the trail. After a climb out of the river canyon, enter Evolution and then McClure Meadows. In this section the trail parallels Evolution Creek, which teems with golden trout. Camp at the spectacular Evolution Lake (10,852\'), a gorgeous deep-blue lake that\'s one of the prettiest spots in the Sierra.
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                    [Headline] => Descend into LeConte Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-7 hours/12.89 miles hiking to 11,955\' with 1,815\' elevation gain and 3,812\' elevation loss
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From your camp at the very edge of the tree line, climb over Muir Pass (11,955\'), taking a rest at the 75-year-old stone hut at the crest of the pass. Then descend on rocky terrain into LeConte Canyon (8,735\'), with its impressive vertical walls of granite. Here, meet the first food drop on the trip.
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                    [Latitude] => 37.1020
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                    [Headline] => Head for Mather Pass & Camp at Palisades Lakes
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/10.85 miles hiking to 12,100\' with 3,129\' elevation gain and 1,392\' elevation loss
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On the way out of LeConte canyon, pass through Grouse Meadow and follow the Middle Fork of the Kings River. At the junction with Palisades Creek, turn east and begin the climb toward Mather Pass (12,100\'). After tackling the Golden Staircase, camp short of the pass at Palisades Lakes (10,600\') after approximately 9.5 miles.
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                    [Latitude] => 37.0607
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                    [Headline] => Climb Mather Pass & Reach South Fork of the Kings River
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/8.87 miles hiking to 12,100\' with 1,746\' elevation gain and 2,311\' elevation loss
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From Palisades Lakes tackle Mather Pass (12,100\') and then descend through the Upper Basin, losing some 2,000 feet before reaching the South Fork of the Kings River. Stay on the Kings River tonight, enjoying the sounds of the gurgling river.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.9710
                    [Longitude] => -118.4439
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                    [DayFrom] => 8
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                    [Headline] => Tackle Pinchot Pass & Descend to Crater Mountain Plateau
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/7.22 miles hiking to 12,130\' with 2,278\' elevation gain and 1,732\' elevation loss
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Today hike up to the Marjorie Lakes area, a glacier-scoured basin of stark beauty. Enjoy the dazzling scenery of pristine mountain lakes before tackling Pinchot Pass (12,130\'). Descend to the Crater Mountain plateau for the night.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.9083
                    [Longitude] => -118.3973
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                    [Headline] => Hike Up to Arrowhead Lake
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/8.49 miles hiking to 10,300\' with 2,157\' elevation gain and 2,387\' elevation loss
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
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Today head down into the Woods Creek basin (8,500\'), across the "Golden Gate of the Sierra" suspension bridge, and then back up to Arrowhead Lake (10,300\'), where you camp.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.8258
                    [Longitude] => -118.4102
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                    [Headline] => Ascend Glenn Pass and Hike to Center Basin
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/8.97 miles hiking to 11,978\' with 2,581\' elevation gain and 3,009\' elevation loss
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Continue the journey by passing through the Rae Lakes Basin. Next ascend the rocky switchbacks of Glenn Pass (11,978\'), followed by a descent to Vidette Meadow where you meet the second food drop. Continue to Center Basin, hiking amidst the stark beauty of huge precipitous ridges.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.7528
                    [Longitude] => -118.3956
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                    [DayFrom] => 11
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                    [Headline] => Face Forester Pass, the Highest On the JMT
                    [ActivityOverview] => 7 hours/11.2 miles hiking to 13,180\' with 3,389\' elevation gain and 2,367\' elevation loss
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At first light, head up the highest pass on the JMT (as well as the entire Pacific Crest Trail, for that matter) - the Forester Pass at 13,180\'. From Forester descend to Tyndall Creek, passing the Diamond Mesa on the way. Make camp below the awesome Mount Whitney Massif.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.6429
                    [Longitude] => -118.3864
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                    [Headline] => Hike to Wallace Creek
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/4.42 miles hiking to 10,405\' with 604\' elevation gain and 1,144\' elevation loss
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Today is a shorter day, featuring a hike that goes 5 miles from Tyndall Creek to Wallace Creek. At this scenic spot, enjoy a lazy afternoon resting in a meadow and playing in the creek.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.5934
                    [Longitude] => -118.3703
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                    [Headline] => Hike to Mt. Whitney Basecamp
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-5 hours/6.5 miles hiking to 10,975\' with 1,952\' elevation gain and 859\' loss
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Enjoy a contemplative hike up to Crabtree Meadow, nestled at the base of the Eastern Sierra and the perfect basecamp for Mt. Whitney. Fuel up on an early supper before climbing into your sleeping bags after sundown. Relax in preparation for tomorrow\'s pre-dawn "alpine start" and your Mt. Whitney summit bid.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.5713
                    [Longitude] => -118.3156
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                    [Headline] => Attempt the Summit of Mount Whitney
                    [ActivityOverview] => 9-10 hours/12.67 miles hiking to 14,495\' with 3,621\' elevation gain and 4,769\' elevation loss
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Today take off early (at 4am) for the "high" point of the entire trip: a walk-up summit attempt of Mount Whitney (14,495\'), the highest peak in the contiguous United States. You have worked hard to get on top, and now is the time to enjoy the 360 degree view that the highest peak in the Continental US affords you. The day\'s hike is 13 miles roundtrip back to Lower Crabtree Meadow.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.5516
                    [Longitude] => -118.3580
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            [14] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 15
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                    [Headline] => Meander Crabtree Meadows to Rock Creek
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5 hours/9.23 miles hiking with 1,998\' elevation gain and 1,891\' elevation loss
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Today is a leisurely day in terms of terrain: lose 2,000 feet in elevation and then gain 1,900 feet (net gain of only 100 feet) as you meander through Crabtree Meadows on the way to the last night\'s camp at Rock Creek.
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                    [Latitude] => 36.4971
                    [Longitude] => -118.2822
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            [15] => Array
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                    [DayFrom] => 16
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                    [Headline] => Pass Golden Trout Wilderness & Rest in Lone Pine
                    [ActivityOverview] => 5-6 hours/10.53 miles hiking to 11,200\' with 1,722\' elevation gain and 2,239\' elevation loss
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The last day on the trail is a long one. Head up from Rock Creek over Cottonwood Pass (11,200\'). Have a snack around Chicken Spring Lake on the way out of the Sequoia National Park for the last few miles through the Golden Trout Wilderness. It\'s 10 miles to the trailhead where picnic lunch awaits, as does the shuttle for a short drive to the nearby Eastern Sierra town of Lone Pine, California, home for the night. After a well-deserved shower, rendezvous for a final dinner.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 20-minute shuttle transfer 
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                    [Latitude] => 36.5933
                    [Longitude] => -118.0571
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                    [Headline] => Travel Home
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After a good night\'s rest and breakfast on your own, depart early with the private shuttle back around the Sierra. The drive back to the starting point, Fresno airport, takes 5 to 6 hours. To build in any unforeseen road delays, plan your flights for the early afternoon, starting after 3pm.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 6-hour private van transfer 
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                    [Latitude] => 36.7758
                    [Longitude] => -119.7181
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This trip is designed for the seasoned hiker. You are expected to hike with up to 15 pounds in your daypack about 8-12 miles per day (5-8 hours per day) for 15 days straight, with no layover days. We will hike a total of 140 miles on mountain trails that are often steep and uneven. Most elevations are above 9,000\', one is over 13,000\', and the summit of Mt. Whitney is at 14,495\'.
    [Trip_Level] => 5
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Accommodations

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We supply all camping and commissary gear, including tents and sleeping pads. You are expected to set up your tent, filter water, etc. Well-appointed hotels bookend the trip.

MT Sobek Camp-John Muir Trail Southbound

Wilderness Camping

We supply all camping and commissary gear, including tents and sleeping pads. We encourage clients to bring their own sleeping bag, rated to 15 degrees in the 2-3 pound range. We encourage this because everyone sleeps differently, some need a really warm bag, others not so much thus having your own will ensure more comfort than renting. We also provide a crazy creek chair for every trip member. Previous camping experience is required for this trip! Guides will assist clients with their tents on the first night, but then it is up to the clients to set up their tents after that.

Best Western Frontier Motel

Comfortable Hotel

Situated in eastern California's beautiful Owens Valley, the Best Western Frontier Motel features mountain or valley views from its well-appointed guest rooms, each equipped with cable TV and Wi-Fi. An expanded complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning. Other amenities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, guest laundry, and a complimentary airport shuttle.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Fresno Yosemite Airport

Comfortable Hotel

Conveniently located two blocks from Fresno Yosemite airport, the Fairfield Inn is clean and modern, and offers all the amenities necessary to rest and recharge on your MT Sobek adventure. The hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness center, heated outdoor pool, in-house restaurant for breakfast, and local restaurant delivery service for dinner. Each room features complimentary Wifi, a flat screen Smart TV for streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, comfortable bedding, electronics dock, coffee maker and microwave.

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