In 2015, I hiked the 210 miles of the John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. The time of year has come for this year’s class of JMT hikers to begin making their way through the Sierra Nevada mountains. I look forward to following their journeys as they post their accounts from the trail. I spent some time looking back over my photos from 2015, and have put together my top 30 photos that I hope will make you want to hike the John Muir Trail!
Don’t forget to check out my full John Muir Trail Guide, with information on permits, training, gear, food, and more!
1.) Early morning reflections on tranquil lakes
2.) Garnett Lake With Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak
3.) Rae Lakes
4.) On The Way To Forester Pass
5.) Reaching the 100 mile mark at Marie Lake
6.) Secluded meadow campsites with only the deer as company
7.) Making it to Thousand Island Lake After A Storm
8.) Views of Vidette Peak through the forest
9.) Alpine lakes on the climb to Muir Pass
10.) Seeing the world in a new light
11.) Swim, drink, enjoy
12.) The stunning Virginia Lake
13.) Dreaming trees in Yosemite Backpacker’s Camp
14.) Celebration at the top of Muir Pass
15.) The stunning waters of Wanda Lake
16.) The storm before Donahue Pass
17.) Wildflowers
18.) Finishing on the highest point in the contiguous United States, the 14.505ft Mt. Whitney
19.) Watching the sunrise next to the Keeler Needle
20.) High Alpine lakes
21.) The views amidst the forest
22.) The views from Silver Pass
23.) Beauty, even after a fire
24.) Following the water downhill
25.) Rewards for a hard uphill climb
26.) Pretty close to the Trail to Peak logo
27.) The most beautiful campsite I’ve ever stayed at
28.) Entering the Rae Lakes Basin
29.) Pure alpine waters
30.) Yosemite National Park
Bonus: Feeling accomplished after 221 miles and 80,000ft of elevation change through 3 National Parks