John Muir Trail Archives – Marcus Hellberg

How I got my JMT permit – tips

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-072020-08-03

Arguably, one of the biggest challenges of hiking the JMT comes months before the actual hike: getting permits to hike the trail. If you really want to hike the John Muir Trail, you can’t leave it up to a lottery.

My (almost) ultralight JMT gear list

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-262020-08-01

I already had a lot of backpacking experience before the trip. I had even thru-hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail the previous summer. But the JMT would be quite different. Much higher in elevation longer stretches between resupplies. I wanted to be ready.

JMT: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-272020-08-01

Finally, after months of planning and training, I was heading up to Yosemite to start the John Muir Trail!

JMT: Little Yosemite Valley to Upper Cathedral Lake

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-282020-08-01

Day 2 – 13.4 miles, 4270 ft ascent.

The first night was warm, and I woke up as the sun was rising. I had a short day ahead of me, so I was in no hurry. I ate breakfast and packed up camp, and was on the trail after 7.

JMT: Upper Cathedral Lake to Lyell Canyon

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-292020-08-01

Day 3 – 16.4 miles, 909 ft ascent.

I woke up to a tent that was drenched from condensation. I had closed my tent’s upwind storm doors, and apparently, it led to a lot of moisture in the tent. I made breakfast and waited for a while for the sun to rise high enough to hit my campsite and dry the tent.

JMT: Lyell Canyon to Garnet Lake

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-302020-08-01

Day 4 – 10.8 miles, 1120 ft ascent.

The night was cold. My watch showed 37F when I woke up. But on the upside, my tent and gear were dry, so a significant improvement over the previous night.

JMT: Garnet Lake to Red’s Meadow and Mammoth

By marcushellberg on 2019-07-312020-08-01

Day 5 – 15 miles, 1830 ft ascent.

It was much warmer than the night before, but I still slept cold. I could feel the cold radiate through my sleeping pad. I think that the shady place I camped at must have held snow until very recently and that the ground was still cold.

JMT: Red’s Meadow to Virginia Lake

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-012020-08-01

Day 6 – 16.4 miles, 3800 ft ascent.

I didn’t sleep as well as I thought I would in a real bed. The AC and fridge were making a lot of noise. Especially to someone that’s gotten used to the quiet of the forest.

JMT: Virginia Lake to VVR

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-022020-08-01

Day 7 – 15.2 miles, 1900 ft ascent.

Even though I camped well above the lake, I woke up to a wet tent and quilt. The sun wasn’t hitting my campsite yet, so I packed up everything wet and got going. I figured I’d stop later to dry out everything.

JMT: VVR to Senger Creek

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-032020-08-01

Day 8 – 20.3 miles, 4400 ft ascent.

I woke up at 6, so I would have enough time to get everything in order before the morning ferry back to the other side of the lake. I packed up my tent and waited for the restaurant to open.