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65-558: The John Muir Trail passes by many lakes within the Ritter Range. The most prominent peaks of the Ritter Range are Mount Ritter , at 13,143 feet, Banner Peak , at 12,936 feet, Rodgers Peak , and the Minarets , a group of sharp peaks south of Mt. Ritter. Thousand Island Lake , Ediza Lake , Garnet Lake , Lake Catherine , Minaret Lake , Cecile Lake , and Shadow Lake all lie within the Ritter Range, and are accessible by trail. The range

130-545: A foothill woodland community of blue oak and gray pine , and chaparral . Many of the plant communities are similar to those found on the inner California Coast Ranges . Animals typical of this zone include black bear , ringtail cat , coyote , gray squirrel , bobcat , California mule deer , and skunk . In the foothills of the northern portion of the Sierra Nevada, toyon and chamise often co-dominate certain open serpentine chaparral communities. Beginning near

195-581: A beautiful and interesting forest to explore. The indicator species for the lower montane forest are the ponderosa pine and the Jeffrey pine : the ponderosa pine generally occurs on the west side of the Sierra, while the Jeffrey pine occurs on the east. The lower montane forests also include trees such as California black oak , sugar pine , incense-cedar , and white fir . Animals that may be found in this zone include

260-463: A cut into Panorama Cliff, called the "Ice Cut". Although broad and well-traveled, hazardous winter conditions and close proximity to civilization (attracting large numbers of day hikers) make this one of the most dangerous parts of the trail. After some elevation gain via long switchbacks, the trail reaches the top of Nevada Falls. The trail continues into Little Yosemite Valley , past the trail junctions to Half Dome and Cloud's Rest , and then into

325-488: A mixed forest of white fir , Coast Douglas-fir , ponderosa pine , Jeffrey pine , live oak , black oak , and tanoak , depending on location. North of Tahoe, the mid-montane forest has more white fir and Douglas-fir, and less ponderosa pine than further south. Jeffrey pine occurs on ultramafic lava soils. In Yosemite and points south, giant sequoia occurs in wetter locations. The upper montane forest begins at higher elevations near 7,000 feet (2,100 m), where

390-641: A portion of permits are reserved for walk-ins. The Whitney Portal end of the JMT has a lottery for wilderness permits, and hikers starting in Yosemite face competition with other backpackers simply wanting to camp overnight while hiking Half Dome or to Tuolumne Meadows. Backpackers entering the Sierra backcountry on multi-day trips are generally required to carry their food in approved hard-sided storage containers known as bear canisters to protect their food and other scented items from theft by black bears , which are common in

455-465: A smaller role, and so the needle miner assumes greater importance in lodgepole pine forest population dynamics in the Sierra Nevada. However, Rocky Mountain lodgepole forest dynamics are also heavily influenced by insect outbreaks, primarily bark beetles. There are at least 1,300 vascular plant species in the Sierra Nevada, along with numerous bryophytes and lichens . There are at least 450 species of vertebrate animals. A total of 135 plant species in

520-599: A subalpine basin and passing the Sunrise High Sierra Camp . The trail then crosses the Cathedral Range at Cathedral Pass before dropping steeply into Tuolumne Meadows , a common resupply point. The trail passes a visitor's center and some campgrounds before linking up with the Pacific Crest Trail . The John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail then turns south, through the mild Lyell Canyon meadow, and crosses

585-532: A year after Muir's death, with a $ 10,000 appropriation from the California legislature and Governor Hiram Johnson . State Engineer Wilbur F. McClure was made responsible for overseeing the project and selecting the final route, though he secured the cooperation of the United States Forest Service , which managed and supervised much of the actual construction, and LeConte was very influential regarding

650-464: Is Whitney Portal . The lowest point on the trail is the northern terminus at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley , at 4,040 feet (1,230 m). The highest point on the trail is the southern terminus, Mount Whitney , at 14,505 feet (4,421 m), which is also the highest point in the contiguous United States. The trail stays at high elevations, mostly above 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and with

715-473: Is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California , passing through Yosemite , Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. It is named after John Muir , a naturalist. From the northern terminus at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley ( 37°43′54″N 119°33′31″W  /  37.7317°N 119.5587°W  / 37.7317; -119.5587  ( northern terminus ) ) and

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780-586: Is also the highest point along the Pacific Crest Trail . When the United States Geological Survey calculated the official length of the trail, elevation gain and loss was not taken into consideration. The total amount of ascent of the trail is around 46,000 feet (14,000 m). According to Hipcamp and the John Muir Trail Foundation, the total descent of the trail is 38,000 feet (12,000 m); however, Backpacker estimates

845-977: Is an insect , endemic to the upper Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds of Yosemite National Park and one small headwaters drainage of the San Joaquin River ( Sierra National Forest ). It lives mostly within the needles of lodgepole pine for two years, emerging as a little gray moth for a few weeks in July of odd-numbered years. This keeps any predators from becoming effective control agents and allows populations to escalate rapidly. While regular prehistoric outbreaks of lodgepole needle miners have been confirmed through dendrochronology , historic records document outbreaks from 1903 to 1921, 1933 to 1941, and 1947 to 1963. Extensive stands of " ghost forest " and jackstrawed trees are still conspicuous throughout Sierra Nevada. Annual monitoring of lodgepole needle miner density began in 1966, and 28 permanent plots are scattered north of

910-455: Is determined by the harsh climate, with extensive snow and wind. In addition, soils are thin and nutrient-poor. Due to these harsh conditions, vegetation grows slowly and at low temperatures. In addition, the stressful environment suppress species competition and promotes mutualism . The marginal conditions make the Sierra Nevada subalpine zone sensitive to environmental changes, such as climate change and pollution . South of Bridgeport ,

975-405: Is easily distinguished as it is above the tree line . No trees grow in this zone due to the harsh climatic conditions. Short, cool summers with long, cold, and snowy winters are typical at these elevations. Many exposed granitic outcroppings, talus slopes, and boulder fields limit the amount of vegetation that grows here. The herbaceous plants need to flower and produce their seeds quickly during

1040-466: Is located a short distance from the trail. The John Muir Trail next enters Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park crossing some spectacular alpine regions, including Evolution Basin, the Golden Staircase, and Forester Pass . The trail ends at the summit of Mount Whitney , the highest point in the contiguous United States . From the summit of Mount Whitney, the closest trailhead

1105-459: Is named for Carl Ritter , who had been a teacher of Josiah Whitney when he was a student in Berlin in the 1840s." The Ritter Range, near the Minarets and Minaret Lake , was the site of the plane crash of Steve Fossett in 2007. This Madera County, California -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . John Muir Trail The John Muir Trail ( JMT )

1170-530: Is not enough precipitation to support trees. The zones below this elevation are the Sagebrush Scrub Zone, Saltbush Scrub Zone, and the Alkali Sink Zone. These zones are distinguished by soil salinity . Yosemite National Park has documented more than 130 non-native plant species within park boundaries. These non-native plants were introduced into Yosemite following the migration of early settlers in

1235-482: Is replaced by a Pinyon - Juniper Woodland Zone, characterized by single-leaf pinyon pines and sierra junipers . The underbrush contains big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) and blackbrush ( Coleogyne ramosissima ). Jeffrey pines may occur along streams. Notable animals in this zone include the pinyon jay and the desert bighorn sheep . The Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Zone extends down to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation. Below 5,000 feet (1,500 m), there

1300-1008: The Cathedral Range . The current outbreak began in 1973 and has been sweeping around the south side of the Cathedral Range, arriving at Sunrise High Sierra Camp in 2001. The Ghost Forest which was evident at the crest between Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows in the late 1970s was noticeably reforested by 2000. Lodgepole needle miner defoliation currently extends over approximately 40,000 acres (160 km ), with nearly 10,000 acres (40 km ) of low to high mortality each year. While lightning fires are frequent in lodgepole pine communities, they usually remain small, with estimated fire return intervals at Yosemite National Park that are long (relative to most other forest types). Thus, fire suppression activities are thought to have had little influence upon species composition , structure, fuels, and natural processes in lodgepole forests. Also, in comparison with Rocky Mountains lodgepole pine forests, fire plays

1365-640: The Mount Whitney Trail is required to reach the nearest trailhead at Whitney Portal , thus making an end-to-end traverse of the JMT effectively 221 miles (356 km). The trail begins at the Happy Isle bridge near the Happy Isles Nature Center. The trail ascends steeply up a paved incline before crossing another bridge meeting with the junction with the Mist Trail . The trail continues along

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1430-551: The dark-eyed junco , mountain chickadee , western gray squirrel , mule deer , and American black bear . The endangered Yosemite toad is found in montane forests of the central Sierra Nevada, at elevations of 4,790 to 11,910 feet (1,460 to 3,630 m). The character of the Lower Montane Forest changes with latitude. North of Grass Valley , the lower montane forest ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600 to 1,200 m), with less ponderosa pine and more Douglas-fir . In

1495-526: The hermit thrush , dusky grouse ( Dendragapus obscurus ), great grey owl , golden-mantled ground squirrel , and (more rarely) the marten . Upper montane forests may be viewed from the Tioga Pass Road east of Crane Flat , Glacier Point Road, and State Route 108 . The elevation of the upper montane zone shifts with latitude: it occurs from 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,800 to 2,400 m) north of Yosemite, and 7,000 to 9,000 feet (2,100 to 2,700 m) to

1560-911: The riparian habitats found on the banks of numerous streams and rivers. The Sierra contains three major types of wetland: Each of these types of wetlands varies in geographic distribution, duration of saturation, vegetation community, and overall ecosystem function. All three types of wetlands provide rich habitat for plant and animal species, delay and store seasonal floodwaters, minimize downstream erosion , and improve water quality. Riverine wetlands are found within river and stream channels and are strongly influenced by seasonal runoff patterns. When inundated, riverine wetlands provide habitat for water-tolerant plants such as willows , and aquatic animals such as tadpoles and immature fish . Lacustrine wetlands generally occur on river floodplains and along lakeshores and are influenced by seasonal variations in groundwater levels. These wetlands are rare in

1625-593: The yellow-bellied marmot , and the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep . This zone can be viewed up close by hiking or climbing into the high elevations of the Sierra. The four highest eastern biotic zones are the same as the western zones, but at a higher elevation, due to less precipitation . The elevation of these zones in the Central Sierra are: In the Owens Valley , the Foothill Woodland Zone

1690-518: The 1970s the United States has made substantial progress toward protecting and restoring wetland habitats. All federal land in the Sierra Nevada complies with a 1990 Presidential Executive Order that mandates ' no net loss ' of wetlands, and requires federal agencies to map and protect all existing wetlands. In 1996 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service delineated and classified some of

1755-458: The 3,000-foot (900 m) elevation, the hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters of the Mediterranean climate give rise to the lower montane forest zone . This zone is also known as the yellow pine forest zone. The accumulation of several feet of snow during the winter is not uncommon and can stay on the ground for several months. The diversity of tree species found in this zone make this

1820-474: The Cathedral Range again and exits the park at Donahue Pass . At the crest of Donahue Pass , the trail enters Inyo National Forest and the Ansel Adams Wilderness . The trail passes Thousand Island Lake , Garnet Lake, and a number of smaller lakes. The trail continues into Devils Postpile National Monument , where there are a number of opportunities to resupply or exit the trail. Devil's Postpile

1885-463: The JMT as Nüümü Poyo, which translates to "Paiute Road," "Paiute Trail," or "People's Trail." The idea of a trail along the backbone of the High Sierra originated with Theodore Solomons . Solomons later recalled that the concept originated in his adolescence. "The idea of a crest-parallel trail came to me one day while herding my uncle's cattle in an immense unfenced alfalfa field near Fresno . It

1950-481: The John Muir Hut, which is the only shelter on the trail. Hikers completing the trail typically take about three weeks. The record for the fastest known time was set by ultrarunner François D'Haene in 2017, who ran from south to north in 2 days, 19 hours and 26 minutes. The previous record of 3 days, 7 hours and 36 minutes, was set by Leor Pantilat in 2014. The record for the fastest trip in an unsupported way

2015-720: The National Park Service. Four state-listed rare plant species are considered restricted and limited throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and may represent disjunct populations at the extreme end of their range: Endangered or threatened species of animals that occur in the Sierra Nevada include: Wetlands in the Sierra Nevada occur in valley bottoms throughout the range, and are often hydrologically linked to nearby lakes and rivers through seasonal flooding and groundwater movement. Meadow habitats , distributed at elevations from 3,000 to 11,000 feet (910 to 3,350 m), are generally wetlands, as are

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2080-522: The Sierra Nevada have status as Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Plants that are Federal species of concern (former Category 2 species) under the Federal Endangered Species Act include: Although Category 2 was abolished in 1996, species of concern refers to those species that might be declining or be in need of concentrated conservation actions to prevent decline. Therefore, these six species continue to be evaluated and managed by

2145-559: The connection from the Kings River to the Kern River over Forester Pass, at an elevation of 13,153 feet (4,009 m), was completed in 1932. The task of constructing trail down the steep southern side of the pass required crews to blast sections out of the rock, a dangerous process that resulted in the death of trail crew member Donald I. Downs in 1930. A plaque near the base of the pass memorializes Downs today. The Forest Service completed

2210-401: The east lies in the rain shadow of the crest. The plants and animals in the east are thus adapted to much drier conditions. The altitudes listed for the biotic zones are for the central Sierra Nevada. The climate across the north–south axis of the range varies somewhat: the boundary elevations of the biotic zones move by as much as 1,000 feet (300 m) from the north end to the south end of

2275-634: The eventual routing of the trail. The California state legislature made additional appropriations of $ 10,000 each in 1917, 1925, 1927 and 1929. After the Depression began, assistance from the California state government came to an end, so the remainder of the trail had to be funded by a joint effort between the Forest Service and the National Park Service . At this time, there were still two difficult sections yet to be completed. The first section,

2340-499: The exception of the first 7 miles directly south of the trail's northern terminus, it never drops below 7,000 feet (2,100 m). A large portion of the trail is more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) high, including the entirety of the last 30 miles (48 km). The trail crosses six mountain passes over 11,000 feet (3,400 m); from north to south, Donohue Pass , Muir Pass , Mather Pass , Pinchot Pass , Glen Pass , and Forester Pass . At 13,117 feet (3,998 m), Forester Pass

2405-581: The final section at Palisade Creek (in the Palisade Group ) in 1938. This section passes by the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Kings River and over Mather Pass by the "Golden Staircase" to the headwaters of the South Fork of the Kings River. Shortly after, this section was incorporated into newly created Kings Canyon National Park. The entire project had taken 46 years to complete. William Edward Colby ,

2470-526: The first secretary of the Sierra Club, called the finished trail "a most appropriate memorial to John Muir, who spent many of the best years of his life exploring the region which it will make accessible." The JMT is 213.7 miles (343.9 km) long. From its northern terminus in Yosemite Valley, the trail runs southeast, passing south of Half Dome and then on to Tuolumne Meadows. From Tuolumne Meadows

2535-433: The higher elevations. Particular ecoregions that follow elevation contours are often described as a series of belts that follow the length of the Sierra Nevada. There are many hiking trails , paved and unpaved roads, and vast public lands in the Sierra Nevada for exploring the many different biomes and ecosystems . The western and eastern Sierra Nevada have substantially different species of plants and animals, because

2600-401: The late 1850s. Natural and human -caused disturbances, such as wildland fires and construction activities, have contributed to a rapid increase in the spread of non-native plants. A number of these species aggressively invade and displace the native plant communities, resulting in impacts on the park's resources. Non-native plants can bring about significant changes in park ecosystems by altering

2665-458: The middle Sierra, south to the Merced River , the lower montane forest has the same elevation, but precipitation decreases and the forest mixes with chaparral. In the southern Sierra, the lower montane forest occurs between 3,000 to 5,000 feet (900 to 1,500 m), but can range as high as 6,000 feet (1,800 m), with ponderosa pine dominating the landscape. Unlike further north, the geology of

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2730-574: The montane climate is characterized by short, moist, cool summers and cold, wet winters. Snow begins to fall in November and may accumulate to depths up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and remain until June. Pure stands of red fir and lodgepole pine (the indicator species) are typical of this forest. Jeffrey pine , which has bark that smells like vanilla , and the picturesque western juniper can also be found in this zone. Wildflowers bloom in meadows from June through August. Common animals in this zone include

2795-455: The mountain range, but support an abundance of warm-water loving plant and animal species. Palustrine wetlands are typically distinguished from riverine and lacustrine systems by the presence of very dense covers of trees, shrubs, or emergent plants. This wetland type includes wet meadows , densely vegetated riparian habitats, and shallow ponds . They provide cover and forage for wildlife traveling between upland and aquatic habitats. Since

2860-404: The native plant communities and the processes that support them. Some non-native species may cause an increase in the fire frequency of an area or increase the available nitrogen in the soil that may allow more non-native plants to become established. Many non-native species, such as yellow starthistle ( Centaurea solstitialis ), are able to produce a long tap root that allows them to out-compete

2925-564: The native plants for available water. Bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), common mullein ( Verbascum thapsus ), and Klamath weed ( Hypericum perforatum ) have been identified as noxious pests in Yosemite since the 1940s. Additional species that have been recognized more recently as aggressive and requiring control are yellow starthistle, sweet clovers ( Melilotus spp.), Himalayan blackberry ( Rubus discolor ), cut-leaved blackberry ( Rubus laciniatus ) and periwinkle ( Vinca major ). The lodgepole needle miner ( Coleotechnites milleri )

2990-619: The number of attempts on comparable walks such as the southern portion of Appalachian Trail or the Way of St. James . Prior to the arrival of European-American settlers, the Paiute people living in the High Sierra region utilized a series of ancestral trails for hunting and trade with neighboring indigenous groups. In an effort to acknowledge the original people who traveled this region, some modern Native American and environmental organizations recognize

3055-495: The range. The lowest-elevation biotic zone in the Sierra Nevada is found along the boundary with the Central Valley . This zone, stretching in elevation from 500 to 3,500 feet (150 to 1,070 m), is the foothill woodland zone , an area that is hot and dry in the summer with very little or no snow in the winter. The foothills are vegetated with grasslands of mostly non-native grasses, mixed grasslands and woodlands savanna ,

3120-402: The region. About 90-96 percent of hikers hike north to south, from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney. There are advantages to starting in Yosemite Valley and hiking south. Although there is a significant net altitude gain this way, starting at a lower altitude allows the hiker time to acclimate to the elevations of the trail rather than immediately having to tackle a 6,000-foot (1,800 m) climb to

3185-451: The route of the modern JMT. In 28 days, they completed a trip of 228 miles through the high mountains, including several previously unexplored sections. In 1914, the Sierra Club appointed a committee to cooperate with the State of California to begin construction of the trail. John Muir died later that year, and the proposed trail was renamed in his honor. Construction of the JMT began in 1915,

3250-400: The season after the snowmelt concludes, and the weather generally remains pleasant for hiking through September. Weather during the hiking season is generally sunny and dry, but afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. The trail is used primarily by backpackers and dayhikers, but also by runners , trail riders , and pack trains . There is a shelter for hikers to stay at on Muir Pass, called

3315-621: The second half of the hike when maximum conditioning has been attained. Ecology of the Sierra Nevada The ecology of the Sierra Nevada , located in the U.S. states of California and Nevada , is diverse and complex. The combination of climate , topography , moisture , and soils influences the distribution of ecological communities across an elevation gradient from 500 to 14,500 feet (200 to 4,400 m). Biotic zones range from scrub and chaparral communities at lower elevations, to subalpine forests and alpine meadows at

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3380-568: The short, frost-free period of summer. Flora includes cushion plants , grasses, willows, and sedges . The macrolichen flora in the Sierra Nevada alpine zone is not well developed as compared to neighboring alpine zones in the Rocky Mountains and mountains of the Pacific Northwest . Some animal species that are adapted to this zone include the American pika , Belding's ground squirrel ,

3445-631: The south. The upper montane forest is replaced by the subalpine forest near 9,000 feet (2,700 m), where the climate is cooler with an even shorter growing season due to long, cold, and snowy winters. Accumulations of three to nine feet (1 to 2.5 m) of snow are typical. The most common tree in the subalpine forest is the whitebark pine . The western white pine , mountain hemlock , and lodgepole pine are also found in this forest with many subalpine meadows that flower from July through August. Many species live in, or are transient in, this zone, including Clark's nutcracker . The vegetation and ecology

3510-467: The southern lower montane forest is dominated by granite. The mid-montane forest grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada at moderate elevations. North of Lake Tahoe , the mid-montane forest occurs from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (900 to 1,800 m). Between Tahoe and Yosemite, the forest ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,200 to 1,800 m), while south of Yosemite, it occurs between 5,000 to 7,000 feet (1,500 to 2,100 m). The mid-montane zone has

3575-473: The southern terminus located on the summit of Mount Whitney ( 36°34′43″N 118°17′31″W  /  36.5785°N 118.292°W  / 36.5785; -118.292  ( southern terminus ) ), the trail's length is 213.7 miles (343.9 km), with a total elevation gain of approximately 47,000 feet (14,000 m). For almost all of its length, the trail is in the High Sierra backcountry and wilderness areas. For about 160 miles (260 km),

3640-407: The subalpine forest ranges from 9,000 to 11,000 feet (2,700 to 3,400 m) of elevation and contains foxtail pines , while to the north, the subalpine forest ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 feet (2,400 to 3,000 m) and the foxtail pine is absent. The alpine zone begins near 10,500 feet (3,200 m) elevation (in the southern Sierra) and near 9,000 feet (2,700 m) (in the north). This zone

3705-433: The summit of Mount Whitney. In addition, there are several resupply points convenient to the JMT during its northern half (Tuolumne Meadows, Reds Meadow, Vermillion Valley Resort, Muir Trail Ranch), allowing the hiker to carry a lighter food load early in the hike and also to exit the trail easily if problems arise. The southern half of the JMT is more remote and generally higher in elevation, thus making it more appropriate for

3770-450: The total descent as 2,000 feet less, at 36,000 feet (11,000 m). This produces a total of about 84,000 feet (26,000 m), or almost 16 miles (26 km); however, this does not mean the total length is increased by 16 miles (26 km). Rather, the triangle inequality implies that the error due to neglecting elevation changes underestimates the true length by no greater than this value. According to Backpacker magazine, in total,

3835-414: The trail gains 47,000 feet (14,000 m) in elevation. The primary hiking season is usually from July through September; during this time, most of the snow from the previous year has melted, but new snow hasn't fallen yet. Early season hikers have to contend not only with the snowpack and icy slopes near the passes, but with streams swollen with snowmelt . Trail conditions are less demanding later in

3900-401: The trail is coincident with the longer Pacific Crest Trail . The vast majority of the trail is within designated wilderness . The trail passes through large swaths of alpine and high mountain scenery, and lies almost entirely at or above 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation. The trail sees about 1,500 thru-hiking attempts each year (including Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers), many fewer than

3965-596: The trail turns south, running parallel to the main range of the Sierra Nevada, through Yosemite National Park, Inyo and Sierra national forests (including the John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness ), passing through Devils Postpile National Monument, Kings Canyon National Park, and ending on Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park. From the southern terminus of the JMT at the summit of Mount Whitney, an additional 10.6-mile (17.1 km) hike on

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4030-531: The wetlands of the Sierra Nevada, including all of Yosemite National Park. This was performed through an analysis of aerial photographs and topographic maps , as a part of the National Wetlands Inventory Web Site (NWI). The NWI maps have not been rigorously ground-truthed and only delineate wetlands larger than 5 acres (2 ha) in size. The National Park Service restores to natural conditions wetlands that have been drained or filled in

4095-526: Was 1884 and I was 14." He began advocating construction of the trail shortly after the Sierra Club was founded in 1892. John Muir was a founding member and first president of the Sierra Club. Solomons explored the area now known as the Evolution Basin, and traveled extensively throughout the High Sierra, exploring possible trail routes. Joseph Nisbet LeConte took up the cause in 1898 and the proposed trail

4160-489: Was originally called the "High Sierra Trail", although that name was later given to a different trail , running in the east–west direction. LeConte spent years exploring the canyons and passes of the Kings River and Kern River , and climbing peaks along the proposed trail. Along with James S. Hutchinson and Duncan McDuffie , he pioneered a high mountain route in 1908 from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon, roughly along

4225-480: Was set by Aurélien Sanchez in 2018, who ran from south to north in 3 days, 3 hours and 55 minutes. The previous record of three days, ten hours, and 59 minutes was set by Andrew Bentz in 2014. A permit is required to hike the JMT, which can be obtained from the national park or forest where the hiker begins the hike, and is available 168 days in advance. This single permit is valid for the entire hike. Permit reservations can be hard to obtain for JMT thru-hikers, but

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