JMT shelters - John Muir Trail

imported
#1

I plan on hiking the JMT sometime in late July/early Aug. I know of a few shelters along the trail: Muir Hut, a wooden Muir shelter somewhere, and the one on top of Whitney. Are hikers allowed to stay over night in these shelters? I heard you can stay overnight in the wooden one but I wasn’t sure about the others.

Also, has anyone ever stayed the night on top of Whitney? I know you’d have to keep a good eye on the weather. It sounds cool, but I’m just not sure if it’s a smart move or not. I thought I’d get some opinions from those of you who have climbed it before or have actualy slept on top. Thanks!

zacariah

#2

I haven’t slept in either, but the Muir Hut is for “emergency purposes.” I get the impression that on the off chance a ranger found you camped up there, if it were good weather they’d ask you to move along. The Whitney shelter is legal, but comes with warnings that it’s unsafe in lightening. Whether this is true (people died in it once) or not (they’ve since regrounded it so it’s supposed to be ok) i don’t know. whitneyportalstore.com has a forum that has tons of discussion on that topic.

markv

#3

As Markv pointed out, the classic stone Muir Hut atop Muir Pass is designated for emergency use. I stayed in it in '97 on my 1st PCT hike and had one of the most memorable nights of my life. Since its stone, it retains the heat from baking in the sun all day and so its toasty warm at night. In '97 it was available to hikers/climbers for use, but has since been designated for emergency use. When I passed by in '05 the fireplace had been filled in and I talked to a backcountry Ranger who re-iterated the fact that its only for emergency use…

As for the Smithsonian Observatory hut atop Whitney, I haven’t personally stayed in it, but various friends have and they have all reported that it was frigidly cold the night they spent up there. As of October '05 (last time i was up there), the door was missing, so it could be brutal with the wind chill factor.

I’m not sure about the “wooden” Muir shelter that you mention - never saw one or heard of one. There are options like the Muir Trail Ranch and VVR (Vermillion Valley Resort) where you can rent a cabin for the night. (1st night is free @ VVR)

Good Luck & Happy Trails!

freebird

#4

According to Yogi’s Handbook there’s a 10x20ft cabin about 3 miles south of MTR. It’s about 30 yards south of the trail about 1/2 mile before Piute Pass Trail. Doesn’t sound like it’s too fancy though.

zacariah

#5

muir hut has a sign that says it’s for emergency use only, because it could snow anytime of the year and is probably the longest up and down as far as distance hiked goes on the jmt.

i remember seeing the muir cabin just before puite creek, but walked on by. not sure about its uses.

as far as the hut on top of whitney, i slept in it sept 2005. ranger at crabtree meadows said it was ok, it was his idea after we told him we were going to camp at trail crest. only drawback was the door was missing in 2005 and it was real windy. the sunset was awsome, mt. whitney cast a shadow over the owens valley.

jerm

#6

The altitude was too much for me. I was only up there for about 15mins. But I think the hut had a door on it as of summer '07 though I wasn’t looking for a door and I was pretty disoriented. It would be an awesome place to sleep though. Don’t forget your permits (I got checked on the way up) and WAG BAG!

banjo boy (hiker miker)

#7

Muir Hut is nice, but as the other have said is for emergency only. I spent all afternoon in Evolution Valley, which is amazing to say the least. Then after Muir Pass went quickly down the other side. I got on top of Whitney during a mid September snow storm, so sleeping was not an option. It was freezing and windy. If you’re earlier in the season, it might be nice.

weez