When to go? - John Muir Trail

imported
#1

I’m planning an '05 JMT hike and have heard varying opinions on when to go (and best avoid the skeeters). I hear September and October are good, but how cold are we talking? Snow? How about August?

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

Cap’n

#2

A personal opinion not backed by any scientific data - but I’ve done portions of the JMT for the past 16 years.

While skeeter density is a function of amount of snowmelt, they seem to move north as summer progresses regardless of wetness. No real problem with either bugs or snow in August or even late July in the upper Kern / Whitney area.

Booger

#3

I began the JMT from Kennedy Meadows on the 5th of july walking north. I had to camp in the high alts. to avoid the bugs. The snow was all but gone so it was cozy. the nights were cool and the days were pleasant.

goof

#4

If you go early, soon after snowmelt, you will have more bugs but you will also have more wildflowers. (Snowmelt dates vary by the year. Next year is supposed to be an El Nino, so say mid- to late-July.) The closer to snowmelt, the higher the rivers. Anytime before Labor Day is likely to be very crowded and permits can be hard to get. It can get cold in late September or October, but you aren’t likely to have serious snow. The problem is just that there is so much good swimmable water on the trail, it is a shame to miss it. Also, crossing Bear or Evolution Creeks when it’s cold, even though the water would be low, would be really cold. I hiked the JMT in early July on a low snow year and again as part of a PCT thruhike in early June. If I were to do it again I would do it at the beginning of September when it is still warm but the crowds are down.

Spirit Walker

#5

I finished my JMT hike 8/2 (started 7/17) and I think it was THE PERFECT time to go. Every day was sunny (there was one day when I felt maybe 5 drops on my head). The mosquitoes are going to be out there pretty much anytime due to some swampy areas but they were only really bothersome in a couple spots (maybe 2 days) near Evolution Valley. I didn’t bring DEET or any type of protection and I was fine. The weather is supposed to be really unpredictable toward the end of August until winter arrives. I wouldn’t want to be on one of those passes when a thunder/hail storm came through!

Hiker Chick

#6

well cap’n- sounds like october is the time to go. maybe there will be snow.

grizzly adam

#7

Thanks everyone. It gives me something a little better to go by. I’m leaning towards late August or September, but I’ll need to confer with the others in my group. Swimming would be an excellent bonus, but then again so would a plethora of wildflowers.

Gee Grizz, I’m surprised you didn’t want to start in November!:lol

Cap’n

#8

I left the valley on sept 6th (or there abouts). I had great weather pretty much the whole way (except for a two day stint of rain, but that was the remnant of a hurricane, very rare so I was told). The nights never dropped below 40*, even at 10,000ft. I’ve heard september is a very popular month to hike, due likely to the expectation of fair weather. I didn’t see to many other people out there, nothing like on the AT. If you’re up for finding peace, quiet and a large pinch of solitude, it’s definately do-able on the JMT.

Good luck!! Wish I was out there hiking it again.

Ross aka Cheers :cheers

Ross

#9

well cap’n, you’ve twisted my arm. november it is, then. i don’t know how to swim anyway, so what’s the point of going early? snow shoes, ice axes, crampons, snow caves, and our zero degree bags- could it get any better?

grizzly adam

#10

Sounds like anytime one can do the JMT is a good time to do it. I leave a week from Sunday for Cali and will be starting on September 2nd, so I’m going to go with Ross and hope September is the time to be out on the trail.

Leif

#11

I wanted to go this year, but for various reasons I’ll have to wait until next year. I’ll be eagerly awaiting everyone’s posts this year. I hope everyone has a beautiful and inspiring hike! Good luck Leif and thanks.

Cap’n

#12

Hi-

I did a Yo Yo on the JMT July 22-August 3rd… The bugs wern’t that bad… Last year I was out the first week in July and they were super bad…

Catra

Catra

#13

Is it possible to begin a JMT hike in June?
Early June? Wanted to do an '06 hike prior
to attending World Cup Soccer in Germany
but maybe it will have to wait.

-Snack:)

Snack Attack