Have the opportunity to hike the JMT this July for 3 weeks. It should not take me this long so I figure I will have a few layover days. Since I have never hiked the JMT, what are everyone’s favorite:
Thanks in advance.
Grubby
Split Peak is a 14er just south and east of Mather Pass. It’s not an easy climb from the road, but from the JMT it’s pretty easy and close to the trail. Just south of the pass, head off-trail east, around the south shore of the lake, up to the Split-Prater saddle, and up to the top. It’s pretty apparent on the map and looking from Mather Pass.
All the camps we made were pretty memorable, so you would do well with no advice at all. That said, from north to south:
Sunrise Camp in Tuolumne, looking out over the meadow
Above Ruby Lake there is a shelf with some rock-chairs. We did get visited by a bear there, so have your tent clean and your food canned.
Purple Lake was beautiful, but the only really bad mosquito place when we went.
My favorite camp was probably on the way to Split Peak, off the trail, alongside the lake. Expect marmots.
markv
Start at Horseshoe Meadow and hike through the Miter Basin, up over Discovery Pinnacle to the start of the JMT. We did this on my '08 hike and it was well worth the extra 2 days of hiking.
I also enjoyed climbing to the top of the Red Cones… nice views.
Phreak
The whole trail is a great view from start to finish! Take time to take it all in. I was unable to find a camp without a great view in 25 days. I am sure you will do the same. I did some fishing and was able to catch fish every time. If you want to do some serious fishing you can find some good info at this site http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/index.php Have a great hike.
Don
from Red’s meadows we went down past Rainbow falls and then east into Fish Valley where we stayed a night at Iva Bell hot springs. It was quite nice. We then reconnected with the JMT at Purple Lake. It’s a longer side trip but the springs were quite nice and once we got past the burnt area it was very beautiful. have a blast!
zach
Thanks everybody for the great side trips. Based on everyones input and my own research I wish I could stay 4 weeks. I think my goal now is to pick a couple spots but leave a few days open for flexibility, my eyes and legs tend to lead me off trail at times for a little cross-country fun.
Grubby
I second taking the alternate route to Ida Bell hot springs. Shame on me for not mentioning it in my post. The alternate was prettier than the JMT, imo. The springs are after the creek, left up the hill, follow your nose, and search around. There are several pools.
markv
I have hiked the JMT three times and all the access trails since I was 14. I am now 55. My three favorites are the Thousand Island Lake trail; the whole area around Lake Italy; and Mt. Goddard. Goddard is accessible from the Muir Pass area, is an easy scramble, and has the best view in the Sierras (360 degrees).
Robocop
My wife could only do 1/2 of my 2008 Horseshoe to Yosemite JMT trip.
I took her out to North Lake via Lamarc Col. The Darwin Lakes areas was
cool and was people free compared to the JMT. I also recommend north
bound JMT hikers leave the JMT at Sunrise High camp and head over to
Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes. It has the best view of Half Dome. It’s easy
to do Half Dome after looking down from above at Clouds Rest.
Jeff
http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/jeffw/outside/2008p1.html
JeffReno
When we did the JMT in 1971, we climbed 17 peaks. The best view is from Bernard Peak, looking toward Whitney and Wallace Lakes. Also the view of Tulyinyo Lk from one of the nearby peaks. From Onion Valley to Whitney we paralled the JMT, at higher lakes, like Wallace and Wright Lakes. From there we climbed Bernard, Russell, Constitution, Carillion, and Tunnabora. A trip report on our trip, with some pictures, are in the journal section.
Idaho Bob