I just thru-hiked the A.T. this year and got hooked on backpacking. For next summer I thought I’d check out west and hike either the John Muir Trail or Colorado Trail. How do the two compare? Are their hitchable towns or do you have to maildrop? Guidebooks? Is one of the two remarkably more scenic?
Slick B
Both excellent trails to consider. If I knew this was the last backpacking trip I could ever take I would pick the JMT. Otherwise I would plan for them both and experience the beauty and good times that each has to offer! Cliche but true! The Sierra is a region that I plan on retreating to time and time again for the remainder of my life. Colorado is not. Just one opinion; I would think that equal numbers of people would feel just as strongly towards either trail for all sorts of reasons.
Smack
They are both beautiful trails and worth doing. How much time do you have? The CT is three times as long as the JMT. Do you value solitude? You will not find that on the JMT, but you might on the CT. How do you fare at altitude? That is more of an issue on the CT, which is consistently high, than on the JMT where you go over high passes but can camp low. Do you have a bear canister? You will need it for the JMT.
Ginny
I’m thinking the JMT might be easier to plan. Since it’s shorter you’ll have to worry less about resupply. But like Ginny says you’ll have to carry a cannister. I think you can find solitude on either trail depending on when you hike it. I hiked the JMT in early August in 02 and had a few days by myself and only saw two people most other days. There are guidebooks for both trails. You don’t really need one for the JMT it’s very well signed, I used maps of Yosemite & Kings Canyon National Parks which were very good (can’t remember their name but they are the more detailed ones). I used my CDT maps (Jonathan Ley) for the part of the CT that I hiked, the CT guide book that I had didn’t seem very useful, but there might be different ones available. The main difference between the two in hiking experience is (I think) that the CT is a bit wilder and you’ll be walking at higher altitude on ridgelines while the JMT has you walk in valleys and climbing over passes to end up in a valley again which makes it easier to find protected campsites. Both have excellent views. I think I’d start with the JMT if I were you. Or how about doing them both in one summer? He he. ; )
Have fun!!!
apple pie
Thanks for all the info guys. I’m thinking i’d like to be out for a month+. JMT isn’t out of the question though, because I could always tag on a PCT section to JMT. What’s the ressuply situation on JMT? I’ve heard it’s a bit hairy.
Slick B
i hiked the JMT in 2005 and am starting the planning for a CT hike summer 2007. if you are doing the JMT, i suppose you will be going southbound? the big question is where you resupply in the middle of the sierra’s, VVR or Muir Trail Ranch.
check out these two resurces: 1 and 2
jerm
I can’t speak to the CT, but the JMT seems unbeatable for constant oo-aa-wow scenery. It’s almost numbing. If i were you, with a month+, i’d do the JMT, but instead of tacking on more PCT i’d plan sidetrips off of the JMT. That way you get some time away from people, and you get to see/climb things that everyone else just looks at and wishes they had the time and energy to do. Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, Cathedral Peak, a whole bunch of different hot springs in the Ansel Adams Wilderness vicinity, Split Mtn., a zillion other peaks, etc. It would be very easy to spend 2 1/2 weeks on the trail and another 2 off of it.
If you search through the JMT forum on here, you’ll find people’s opinions on resupply. If i were to do it again, i’d send packages to Tuolumne, Red’s, Muir Trail Ranch, and with the kind of time you’ll have i’d hike over Kearsarge Pass and hitch into Independence or Bishop to buy things or pick up another mail drop. Regardless, you’ll end up carrying more than y ou did on the AT, but you won’t h ave the pressure to do 25 mile days.
The guidebooks i think aren’t necessary. Read up on the prep and maildrops and permits online at the links that Jerm posted. Follow up with a couple phone calls. Then just head out with the Harrison map pack. People on the trail with guide books almost seemed more confused by them than helped.
If you have calendar flexibility, i would hike late August or early September, to miss the bugs and the peak crowds of late July early August.
markv