I am thinking of doing an autumn thru-hike on the JMT. Subject to how my schedule works out after summer mostly, but I am wondering if weather could turn very cold by then too. Also, do you think permits would be easy to get in-person at Yosemite’s backcountry office by then? I’ve thru-hiked the JMT 4 times times prior, but all in the July and August time frames.
TedHiker
The higher elevations start to get iffy after mid October. It’s not uncommon for a major winter storm to come in and drop 2 or more feet of snow. A few years ago on October 14th I got out just before a massive two day storm that closed Tioga Pass for the season. A storm resulting in snow is not uncommon for September, normally melts off pretty quick. In October it stays. Be prepared for cold nights.
Sonora Pass Resupply