I was wondering what the temps are like in late July/Early august on the JMT. I’ve been reading journals and it seems it gets pretty hot during the day, but how cold does it get at night? Not sure clothing wise what’s too much and what’s not enough. Thanks!
Aufgahoban
I hiked August 11-25 in 2006. Temps were often in the 80s during the day, and around freezing at night. Quite a range of extremes. Obviously, it’s colder at night at higher elevations.
Good luck!
JH
I hiked the JMT last summer at the same time of year you’re planning on going. The temperatures vary quite a bit depending on where you are and the time of day, so there isn’t an easy answer for this.
In many places it became cold enough to freeze small portions of water at night, but I was still overheating in my +30F sleeping bag most of the time (though I was sharing a tent and thus body heat with another person). A relatively thin polyester fleece jacket and a cotton beanie was all I needed to keep warm (and to keep the legions of mosquitoes off my arms). The one time I needed an extra layer was in the pitch black of early morning at 10,000+ feet while camping next to guitar lake, and all I used was my rain jacket on top of my other clothing until I began hiking.
Keep in mind that I tend to be relatively warm-blooded, so my clothing requirements might not be typical. If I had to do it again, though, the only extra things I’d bring are some lightweight gloves and wool socks for sleeping.
Vijchti
The hot places I found were in the valleys (8000’ to 9000’). Once you start up a pass and get above 10000’, it is in the 70s.
The hottest place was Yosemite Valley (4000’) where is was in the 90’s, Red’s Meadow, VVR, MTR (really hot there - did not want to get over heated at the hot springs) and Deer Creek.
Enjoy the wonderful hike and make sure you drink plenty of water as you will not be sweating much!
So if you can avoid those in the afternoon (if possible) and camp high. Once you cross over Piute Pass after MTR, the temp drops and you have nice camping along the San Joaquin river in Kings Canyon. As for Deer Creek, I recommend pushing on to Lower Palisades lake where it is much cooler (the Golden Staircase is not that difficult as people make it out to be).
OregonBeerMan