Footing on the JMT

imported
#1

How is the footing on the JMT? From the pictures I’ve seen it looks like well groomed tread. Is this generally the case?

Bob

Bob

#2

The footing is generally good but pretty rocky on parts. I used light hiking boots & was glad I didn’t use trail runners. Call me a weenie, but I liked a little extra cushion!

viabledaddy

#3

Rocky how? Stepping from block to block? Loose rocks under every step? Rocks here and there? etc. etc.? What percentage of the trail would you say is rocky? What parts of the trail are rocks?

Thanks,
Bob

Bob

#4

Just curious, Bob; do you have a disability that prevents you from stepping on, over, or around rocks. You seemed to be overly concerned about rocks. Just wondering!

Franko

#5

There are some mildly rocky stretches, but it was no big deal, really. Going north up Forrester, Whitney, etc. I’m talking a path made of somewhat packed down, fist-sized to softball-sized, angular rocks, not boulder-hopping.

Quite a few people hiked the Sierra in sandals with no trouble at all, myself included. The JMT isn’t like Pennsylvania or the Whites. But then again, I hiked those in sandals, too.

I did carry trail runners in the High Sierra to use for kicking steps in the snow. I was glad I had them in a couple spots, but hated carrying the extra weight…

Like anywhere else, the footwear you will need on the JMT depends on your own confidence level, hiking style, and foot and ankle strength. Everyone is different.

Wear what you would choose for any average trail and you’ll be just fine,

Rocks are FUN!!! (Honest)

Chipper

#6

Thank you for all the feedback.

Franko - I just came back from a hike in the George Washington National Forest that got my thinking about footing. Usually when I consder the difficulty of a hike I consider 2 things: elevation gain and distance. However, on this hike, the most difficult part was flat. The section in question had terrible footing and my feet were torn up by the end of it.

Bob

Bob