CT vs. John Muir trail

imported
#1

Hey all. I was wondering if you all could help me. I’m trying to decide whether to hike the John Muir trail next summer, the Colorodo trail, or both. I just hiked about 1300 miles of the AT this past summer and I would also like to finish that up next summer as well. Do you think maybe 5 weeks is a good estimate for the CT? I’d like to hike maybe 13 or 14 miles per day.

Now, how does the type of gear differ between what you need for the AT or what you need for the CT or the John Muir trail. I have a 25 degree bag, a Sierra Designs clip flashlight tent, and a MSR simmerlite stove? Do I have to replace any of this stuff if I hiked the CT or John Muir trail?

How about level of difficulty? Which is harder - the John Muir or CT? And what’s the best month to start these trails?

Where can I find a guidebook for the CT? And does the John Muir trail have a guidebook? Which trail is more scenic?

I’m looking for a hiking partner this summer for either of these trails. Is anyone else looking for a hiking partner that wants to go with me? And if not, do you know where I could find a partner?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions, but I’m really excited about this. Any help is appreciated.

Demon Deac

#2

I walked the AT last summer, the JMT this summer, and my wife was talking last night about the CT next summer! :slight_smile:

The JMT is far more seasonal than the AT. If you go early, you need an ice axe. The passes are big and steep and I think you really could die. High-water crossings can be challenging. Then, shortly after snowmelt, the mosquitos and the wildflowers come out. (This is when I went. I felt the wildflowers easily offset the mosquitos.) After the mosquitos go, crowds of people come, I am told.

Snow levels vary wildly from year to year, but you have to get a trail pass well in advance. So you can aim for, say, late snowmelt, when you choose your travel dates, but you may not hit that. For months in advance, I obsessively watched the backcountry snow monitors. :slight_smile:

I would rate the JMT “easy”, relative to, say, the White Mountains on the AT, because the trail is so superbly graded and maintained. There is a long stretch (100+ mi) in the south where you can not easily resupply. This is more tricky than the AT, because you really need a bear can. We carried big Bearikade cans ($$$ :frowning: ), and walked straight through.

In terms of scenery, the JMT wiped the floor with anything I’d ever seen before. Simply amazing.

I’d advise you to go north to south, because the “plot” is better: you go over progressively higher passes through progressively more remote country and end at the top of Mt. Whitney. Also, if you go early, this gives the snow more time to melt out of the high passes.

I used “Guide to the John Muir Trail” by Winnett. It was okay, but not remarkable. But I’d strongly recommend the beautiful map set by Tom Harrison.

Now, if someone will tell us BOTH about the CT… :slight_smile:

Eric

#3

Colorado Trail Books: http://www.trailjournals.com/books.cfm?Trail=Colorado%20Trail
Colorado Trail Site: http://www.coloradotrail.org/

The Colorado Trail foundation site has more information on books, I think they have a new guide book out. I hike the Colorado Trail 2 summers ago and loved it. I spent 7 weeks on the trail. I would hike it again in a heart beat. The elevation adds to the difficulty of the trail, but I didn’t find it too difficult. I didn’t need an ice ax or anything, but you can’t leave too early because you may run into snow along the trail.

I would like both trails!!

Leif

#4

I hiked the CT this August. I had one month vacation so I was limited on time. I averaged about 17 miles per day. I would say 5 to 6 weeks would be about perfect. That would give you time to climb a couple of 14’ers and enjoy the small towns along the way. I used a Tarptent Squall, A WM Ultralight 20 degree bag, and solid fuel. In August I had 2 inches of hail, 8 days of rain, and a lot of sunshine and blue skies. I think starting in mid July would be good idea. I haven’t hiked the JMT so I can’t comment on that. I don’t think you could go wrong with either choice. hafdome

hafdome

#5

I haven’t hiked the JMT, but thru-hiked the AT in '95 and the CT this summer. I used the same gear for both (eg Blue kazoo 20 degree bag, MSR whisperlite, and would have used my Clip Flashlight but shared a tent with my hiking partner to save weight), except for minor changes to save weight (z-rest instead of thermarest, flip flops instead of tevas, petzl LED head lamp instead of maglight, etc). The CT Foundation does have a new guide book out, and a new pocket-size databook with water, campsites, elev. profiles, etc.

Tawanda

#6

I can only speak for the JMT. i did a N to south trip on the JMT last august. I like August in that area because the weather is great, enough water to drink, and no hard creek crossings or bugs ( knock on wood ) to worry about. like eric says there are more people but if you dont camp where people like to camp all the time you can avoid the crowds ( and bears). as for finding a partner- i would just start solo and meet people out there and hike with whoever you mesh with. last summer i went solo and met a lot of cool people and partnered for half of the trail or so… haha even met somone from my high school class at Vermilion i hadnt seen in 6 years! I would pick up a pack of Tom Harrison topo maps for the JMT they worked great…

mat

#7

They both rock the house:cheers

Tha Wookie

#8

I have hiked all of the JMT and 80 miles of the CT, the scenery on both is spectacular. However, I would recommend the CT because of the solitude. The JMT during peak season you will meet 30 or more hikers a day. On the CT during peak season there will be days you don’t see anyone. Do the CT before it becomes as popular as the JMT.

Turtle 2

#9

on the CT in sections, you’ll have bikes whizzing by on steep corners, hordes of CTF trekkers, and a possible run-in with a one of many ultra Marathons, and let’s not for get the northern end, through a very crowded Denver trail area in Platte Canyon. I’m not pointing out negatives, i’m just saying the two trails have more differences than meets the eye, but they both offer similar opportunities for solitude in my opinion -it’s only a side trail away

Tha Wookie

#10

If you want solitude, come hike the FT. The hunters should be out of the woods in a couple of weeks. Contact me when you get to Aucilla if you need a ride. I can do shuttles in the area between Hwy 98 at Aucilla, and SR 12 in the Apalachicola NF. For the past few days we’ve had temps in the high 20’s/low 30’s in the mornings, going up into the 60’s in the afternoon. Great hiking weather!

Ardsgaine

#11

The Colorado Trail is longer, higher, and more remote. Navigation can be ‘interesting’ in some places. (Can you read a map?) Weather is more of an issue on the CT - thunderstorms, rain, possibly snow. You don’t need to worry about permits or bear cannisters on the CT, but both are required on the JMT. Both trails are beautiful - so how much time do you have? Both are worth doing.

Spirit Walker