JOHN MUIR TRAIL

The John Muir Trail traverses through two hundred and twenty miles of some of the most amazing mountain scenery one could hope to see. From Yosemite National Park in the north to Mt. Whitney in the south, one is rewarded with virtually nonstop beauty. For nineteen days I backpacked over at least ten mountain passes, by hundreds of alpine lakes, through beautiful canyons with tumbling streams and rivers, and by some of the highest mountain peaks in the continential U.S. Mt. Whitney being the tallest at 14,494 feet. The people I met ... (more)

« previous

Lyell Canyon
Day 1: From the trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite NP the trail...

Thousand Island Lake
Day 2: In the morning we hiked over Donohue and Island Passes in a rain and...

Emerald Lake Sunset
The storms subsided but clouds remained for this dramatic sunset at...

Emerald Lake
Day 3: The day started out clear for this early morning view but rain...

Garnet Lake
Day 4: We pass windy Garnet Lake with Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter...

Purple Lake
Day 5: From Reds Meadow we ended a long hiking day at this lovely lake.

Silver Pass
Day 6: This view looking north from the pass with Chief Lake in the foreground.

Vermilion Valley Resort Ferry
Day 7: In the morning we caught the ferry on Lake Edison which took us to the...

Bear Creek
Day 8: We left VVR via the Bear Ridge Trail, then hiked up this nice creek...

Marie Lake
Day 9: This view as I approach Seldon Pass.

Sallie Keyes Lakes
Another beautiful lake on the other side of Seldon Pass. This day ended at a...

Colby Meadow
Day 10: A scenic stroll up Evolution Valley leads to several meadows,...

Sapphire Lake
Day 11: One of many lakes as you climb to Muir Pass.

Llama Lady
We came across this solo llama packer on the approach to Muir pass.

Muir Hut
The hut on Muir Pass seems to copy the shape of the peak above it.

Muir Pass
Heading down and south from the pass. Helen Lake is the largest lake on the...

Grouse Meadows
Day 12: From Little Pete Meadow, this day began with a stroll down LeConte...

Upper Palisade Lake
Leaving Le Conte Canyon and heading up Palisade Creek leads to my camp...

Mather Pass
Day 13: This is the first of two passes for this day. This view looking north...

Upper Basin
Heading south from Mather Pass.

Red Carpet
On the approach to Pinchot Pass.

Pinchot Pass
From Mather Pass it is about ten trail miles to this second pass of the day....

Twin Lakes Sunrise With Moon
Day 14: A sunrise with moon reflected in an unnamed tarn near my camp above...

Middle Rae Lake And Fin Dome
Another glorious day ended at this lake where the trout were biting...

Glen Pass
Day 15: Looking north from the first of two passes traversed on this day in...

« previous

view all 32 photos

article published 9/14/2004

Comments

Add a comment

Thank you for your kindness. I wish you well.
— George, January 29, 2008

Thanks for the Pics
As a kid we went camping every year around Red's Meadow Devils' Postpile area and we even went to Garnet Lake a couple times. It was always gorgeous, thanks for bringing back the happy memories.
— rubyyot, February 8, 2006

Nice pics!!
I know the llama lady in your pics. She is a friend of mine. Her name is Sierramel. http://www.qnet.com/~sierramel/index.htm
— Phil, February 5, 2006

troop 220 explorer
i have been on alot of these trails and seeing these photos has brought me right back to the trail. it was a real treat
— kyle H, January 4, 2006

Dr. Steve?
If that's you, I remember you well. I have an extra set of prints that you are welcome to if you give me your email address, would be glad for you to have them. My email address is on my homepage, click on my name. Hope all is well.
— Michael Durmus, October 16, 2005

Hi Mike, we were in the same group of hikers from Guitar lake to the summit - with the young just-engaged couple and the older AT throughiker couple and then the bus to Reno airport.. Well I lost my last roll of film with the summit shots and now (a year later)I'm really missing them - can we talk?
— Steven Wolpert, October 15, 2005

Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories. I remember backpacking the John Muir Trail with my family when I was 17 years old. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you so much.
— Margarita Yniguez, September 9, 2005

Wow!!!
Wow........these photos are simply stunning! How I envy you having witnessed such beauty. Thank you so much for sharing them! Absolutely stunning.
— Sue July 05, July 21, 2005

Visual Feast !
Thanks for the truly beautiful photos - what a visual feast. I've shared them with my family in England - my daughter is taking this trail next month - what wonders she'll see. Thanks !
— Gloria, July 5, 2005

John Muir Rocks
In the epic summer of 1981, my father and I: climbed Half Dome, Climbed Mt. Whitney, and did a 55 mile backpack trip along the Bear Creek area of the John Muir Wilderness. Your photos bring back wonderful memories of that amazing summer. Thanks much, Brian.
— Brian, May 2, 2005

epic trip
thanks for sharing your shots! i wanna do that hike someday now. is that part of the pacific crest trail? looks awesome...peace.
— todd shepherd, January 18, 2005

outstanding selection! I'm thinking of the ansel adams trail from mammoth to yosemite or tahoe to yosemite. I here that is apart of the original pangea. should be fun!

Excellent shots, sorry to get off the subject, just incredible - thank you.
— katie, January 9, 2005

Thank You
Thank you so much for sharing your adventure and beautiful photos with everyone. The Sierras are absolutely breathtaking and you have given me a desire to go backpacking up in the high country. Thanks
— Jeff Rastrelli, January 7, 2005

Middle Rae Lake And Fin Dome
Simply breathtaking ... !
— Timothy Tye, January 7, 2005

Thanks for the photos, incredible beauty
— Jimm, January 6, 2005

Mike, Great Pics
Mike, thanks for sharing the pics. It was fun hiking to the summit with you. Happy hiking in the future.
— Chuck, October 5, 2004

Thanks for sharing!!!!
Mike, Thanks for sharing these great photos! It reminds me of my 18 days with Yona over there and I wish to be there NOW. Shosh
— Shosh, September 26, 2004

Great Pictures Mike, I would like to see more. I am glad that everyone made it to the summit, I hope to finish or do the trail again someday. David Bilodeau
— David Bilodeau, September 19, 2004

Wonderful photos! Let us hope and pray that wilderness such as these will never, ever see the likes of a Starbucks or a Holiday Inn!!!!
— MsAnnThrope, September 15, 2004

Great shots Mike. Thanks for all the good memories buddy. Hey did you catch any more fish? I sure hope so !!! Ciao Frank
— Frank Pineda, September 15, 2004

Awesome!!
Wonderful article! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos!
— Dawnblazer, September 14, 2004

→ E-mail this article

→ See related articles