Hiking the john muir trail without maps

imported
#1

is the trail easy to follow or are maps necesary.
iwas planning on bringing the harrison maps.

would those be good enough?

steve

#2

Depends on when you go…if there is no snow on the passes… you could probably get by even without the Tom Harrison maps.

But why not carry them…they only weigh 2.5 oz and its nice to know where other trails are in case you want exit points.

AlohaTink

#3

The Harrison maps are enough. I had both those and the guide book ones, and really only liked using the Harrison ones. I wouldn’t go without maps, just in case there was an emergency situation where you wanted to exit the trail and there was no one nearby. That, and at the trailplexes around Tuolumne and Red’s Meadow, the correct trail isn’t a 100% no-brainer.

markv

#4

Plus those maps show fun side trails if you’re into venturing off trail for a little bit of extra fun.

Smack

#5

I would agree that the Harrison maps are the best I’ve seen. I used them before and will do so this summer. I happen to really like maps and like to be able to identify peaks, lakes etc and the wider view of these maps work well for my needs. I also wouldn’t go without some kind of map because there are confusing areas that could be hard to figure out without a reference.

shelly