The John Muir Trail 2017 is complete.
This high snow year made for some pretty tricky and dangerous creek fords, along with fun snow crossings. Our team was determined, supportive, positive, courageous, and mostly a lot of fun. But it wasn’t all fun and games. During this hike, most of our group was afflicted with a variety of pain including: altitude sickness, ingrown toenail, blisters, knee problems, Achilles tendon problems, nerve issues, more blisters, arch pain, fatigue and exhaustion, so many blisters, and even an open gash on the buttocks from glissading. A few of us were even were completely submerged in ice cold water during stream crossings and was saved and plucked out by Dan or Grant.
I wish I could say that I dutifully blogged in my tent each night. That didn’t happen. I found that hiking with such a big group, just made it impossible and just plain old unrealistic.
What I did do is engage and enjoy this once in a lifetime chance of totally being with nature, family, and friends. I did take lots of good photos and video. It was hard not to and pretty cool.
I have divided the John Muir Trail blog entries and my favorite photos shot by Dan, Grant, and myself into groups of days.
Photos and Video
If you don’t want to wait, here are all the photos on Flickr and a movie of video clips I put together on Vimeo.
- Photos: Cottonwood Pass to Vermillion Valley Resort
- Photos: Vermillion Valley Resort to Happy Isle (Yosemite)
- Video (Don’t miss this one): The John Muir Trail July 2017
Day 1 – Hiking with the Fast Ones
Let’s Wander where the WiFi is Nonexistent.
~Anon
July 8
Chicken Spring Lake to 1 mile Above Wallace Creek – 18.1 miles
Day 2 – Easing in on Forester Pass
Bring me coffee, take me HIKING and tell me I’m Sexy.
~Anon
July 9
Wallace Creek to Vidette Meadow – 14 miles
Day 3 – Crazy Creek Crossings
Love her, but leave her wild.
~Atticus, To Kill a Mockingbird
July 10
Vidette Meadow to Woods Creek – 16 miles
How many miles was the trip total from Cottonwood Pass to Yosemite, including hiking Mt. Whitney?
The traditional JMT is 222.4 miles. The route from Cottonwood Pass Trailhead with a climb of Mount Whitney to Happy Isle in Yosemite is right at 236.9 miles. 🙂 Hope this helps.
another great post! so much fun reading your stories
keep following you,
your friends at http://www.pro-nomad.com
What an amazing post! All the extra photos, the video, the amazing views and personnel. And the creeks look much more like rivers.
Beautiful photos. I wouldn’t have wanted to do the trail this year, but I’m sure glad you did. Again, beautiful photos of your trip!
Beautiful lightning scar on tree to right of photo of chicken spring lake
You saw it. Now that is awesome. It is so fun putting together these photos and so much better when others love them too!
You guys just keep looking for harder challenges while I cheerfully search for the easy trips. Going to Wales to hike Offa’s Dyke in September, and I promise I won’t be glissading or fording crazy-current streams. Never slow down Rockin’!
Ah my author friend, I know. I sometimes think I am crazy. Thank you for your words of encouragement. You rock!
Thanks for the photos. My son/daughter-in-law will begin the Big Seki Loop in a couple of weeks and will be on a part of the JMT … (while I get to house-sit for them in PDX) … I sent them the link to your blog, which will help them prepare. Of course, I continue to travel with you vicariously.
I am pretty sure those raging creeks will have calmed down by then! BUT I do think there will be lots of opportunities for them to get their feet wet. The snow was fun and no problems. Hope they have an awesome trip.
I love following your trips. This was is just great. Loved the photos, especially the video. Oh, how i wish that I had been there and wish such a wonderful crew. My spirit calls for such places and people.
Barrie, Sounds like you need to start listening to your and plan a trip soon. I love the planning and dreaming the most. Do it.