What should I wear to the John Muir Trail?

Fleece Jacket A lightweight fleece can be very useful in a backpacking layering system. On cold and wet trips, a fleece will come in handy because it will stay warm when wet and can be used under your puffy coat and rain shell. For summer backpacking trips on the JMT, we likely wouldn’t bring a fleece jacket.

What is the hardest part of the John Muir Trail?

Hardest: Glen Pass. It’s a long, steep climb, with a cruel psychological twist near the end. Just as you reach the top of a climb that seems to go on forever, you find what appears to be the top of the pass. As you sit there, resting, it occurs to you that you can’t see where the trail goes back down.

What size backpack do I need for JMT?

Backpack Every good backpacking trip starts with, well, a hiking backpack, and a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail is no exception. Backpacks for JMT thru-hikes should have a 50 to 70L carrying capacity and should ideally weigh less than 3lbs (1.4kg).

Do you need a bear canister on the John Muir Trail?

JMT hikers must properly store their food while on the trail by using an approved bear canister (which protects your items not only from bears, but also from rodents). All food, toiletries, scented items, and trash must go in your canister, and you must lock it whenever it is not in use.

Do I need gaiters on the JMT?

Outdoor Research Gaiters: Boot gaiters are the best. Especially on the JMT, they’re crucial for keeping debris and rocks out of your boots. Those hikers we passed without gaiters were definitely sad about it, and said so! These are also good for blister prevention.

What do you put in resupply for JMT?

Recommended JMT Resupply Point #3: Onion Valley. Many JMT hikers do not stop at Onion Valley and continue straight through to Mt. Whitney. Those people pack light, hike fast, and have large enough bear canisters to hold up to 9-10 days of food.