You will arrive at the lake on the west end and there are several spots to relax for lunch or to swim. Agnew Meadow to Lower Rainbow Falls (JMT Route) 11.8 mi 19.0 km • 696' Up 212.22 m Up • 1,443' Down 439.9 m Down. Alternatively, you can keep hiking over Mono, Parker, and Koip passes, reaching Alger Lakes after about 13 miles. Download a PDF of this page here to carry with you in the backcountry. From here, switchbacks take you up the pass, which is a total of 8.8 miles from where you started. John Muir Trail (JMT) Day 23 – Onion Valley Trailhead (9,200ft) to Center Basin Creek (10,530ft) via Kearsarge Pass (11,810ft). Day 1: Agnew Lake, Gem Lake, Waugh Lake, JMT/PCT over Island Pass to Thousand Island Lake. The morning light was perfect for reflection pictures of Mount Ritter on a small seasonal lake, Thousand Island Lake, and Garnet Lake. Whitney, 216 miles 15. Tyndall and Mt. 10. There are a number of trailheads south of Donohue Pass that connect to the JMT and are easily accessible through public transportation. Yes. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from April until September. The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a classic trail that covers 211 miles of scenic beauty in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Rush Creek Regional Trail (MN) spans 9.64 mi. Just south of Yosemite on the eastern side of the Sierra is an entry point near the June Mountain ski area. TIP: Camp near the trailhead your first night to help acclimate and start early the next dayÂ, Starting Trailhead:      Shepherds Pass Trailhead, Pass:                            Shepherds Pass (10 miles, 12,025 feet), Distance to JMT:          13.5 miles to junction near Tyndall Creek, Section Skipped:          Tyndall Creek to Whitney Portal (26.3 miles), Difficulty:                      Very Difficult, Recommended Maps:    JMT Map Pack, Mt. RIDGE CIFIC B o d C Parker Pass Gem Donahue Pass K o i p C e s t Saw m i l n Agnew Pass Peak I N Y O June Lake RIVER OWENS ADAMS ANSEL YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Mt Lewis Reversed Peak Mt Wood Parker Peak Koip Peak Blacktop Peak Kuna Peak Donahue Peak June Mt. Tyndall is a (relatively) easy class two climb from the pass and only 1-1.5 miles away. After a brief distance on the JMT, I will leave the trail on the top of Island Pass and head southwest to the west side of Thousand Island Lake, where I will connect with the Sierra High Route. 15. From the parking lot, head south and follow the signs for Gem Lake and Waugh Lake. View Topo Map. The trail is Rush Creek and is the primary access point for Thousand Island Lake, which can be reached in 7.4 miles, but the slightly longer route to Island Pass is strongly recommended because of the incredible views. Day 2: PCT/JMT past Emerald Lake, Ruby Lake, Garnet Lake. Tackling 3 passes your first day, including Koip at 12,270, is brutal and not recommended for anyone who is not acclimated. When filling out your permit application, select ‘High Sierra’ (Crescent Meadow) as your entry trail, and ‘Whitney Portal’ as your exit trail. It starts off at only 6,000 feet and follows Symmes Creek before cutting one drainage south towards Shepherds Creek. Make sure to bring your itinerary with you because you must state where you plan to camp each night before the rangers will issue your permit (you are not required to follow this plan, they just want to have a general idea of where you plan to go). Is the PCT route what is referred to as the "high trail". Soldier Lake is about a half mile to the north, roughly 12 miles from where you started, and is a good place to spend your first night. If you have never hiked up from the Valley and summited Half … (John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile AA10), (get off at Devils Postpile or Red’s Meadow), (John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile AA15). The 10 miles of trail leading to the pass is absolutely brutal, but it gives you great views of Mt. Backpacking the John Muir Trail in 2012. Rush Creek is the main trailhead from June Lake. If you are not acclimated, it’s a good idea to camp your first night at lower Sardine Lake, but it does make for a very short first day. The following trails are all within Inyo National Forest, and allow hikers to head north or south on the JMT. From Horseshoe Meadows, hike west out of the parking lot, staying to the right at the first few junctions. From Rock Creek it’s another 7.8 miles to the John Muir Trail at Crabtree Meadows. Mt. From the top of New Army Pass, the switchbacks lead you down into a drainage that heads due west. If you are going to go the PCT route then get the Agnew meadows one. Guitar Lake is more crowded, but has better views and gives you a head start for Climbing Mt. This is part 1 in a 6 part series reviewing my 60 mile northbound trip on the John Muir Trail from June Lake into Yosemite.. Donohue to Island Passes, Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails across Ansel Adams Wilderness covering Marie Lakes, Rodgers Lakes, Davis Lakes, the Rush Creek Trailhead, Agnew Lake, Gem Lake, Waugh Lake including trail to Agnew Pass. Rush creek is also an option. The views are absolutely stunning. 9 likes. The road terminates just south of Walker Lake. General Travel Requirements Wilderness […] Permits can be reserved here, but are becoming more competitive. Rush Creek JUNE LAKE REVERSED CREEK GULL LAKE SILVER LAKE CRAG OH! The original guide is Starr's Guide to the John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Region, written by Walter Starr Jr. in 1933 and published by the Sierra Club.It is still available in revised form. 8. Rock Hound Hiker 1,155 views. Day Miles Day Miles Elev Trail Jct or Landmark; Su / 1: 0.0: 0.0: 4035: Happy Isles Trailhead There is a small booth which can issue wilderness permits during limited hours; otherwise you'll need to get your permit elsewhere (Mammoth Lakes ranger station, I think). Today I planned to make it to Tuolumne Meadows, grab a hot lunch, then push off the trail the next day in Yosemite Valley. This is a fairly strenuous trail, especially the Agnew Pass trail. The Pass itself is only 3.5 miles from the John Muir Trail and another half mile to Tyndall Creek where there is good camping. For permits and trailhead information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20796. Day Miles Day Miles Elev Trail Jct or Landmark; Su / 1: 0.0: 0.0: 4035: Happy Isles Trailhead Whitney from the west side, but a special permit is needed to descend over Trail Crest and exit at Whitney Portal. Getting to the trailhead is easy if you use the Sequoia Shuttle, which goes from Visalia to Sequoia National Park ($20 round-trip). Additional regulations may apply for side trips, alternate routes, or stock travel and grazing. Alternatively, you can approach Mt. At the end of US Forest Service Road 14S102 is a remote trailhead for accessing Shepherds Pass. Guitar Lake is more crowded, but has better views and gives you a head start for Climbing Mt. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. start: The Rush Creek Trailhead is located on the June Lake loop (highway 158), across the road from Silver Lake. Day 12 – Rush Creek Trail to Tuolumne Meadows (Mile 200) It was another beautiful day on the John Muir Trail. :D. Otherwise the trail is long and steep. TIP: Camp near the trailhead your first night to help acclimate and start early the next day, Starting Trailhead:      Horseshoe Meadows/Cottonwood Lakes, Pass:                            New Army Pass (8.8 miles, 12,300 feet), Difficulty:                     Hard. From here, hike southwest directly past Sardine Lakes to Mono Pass at 4.4 miles, where you turn south. Camped near the food storage box just before the Center Basin Creek crossing. Location: John Muir Wilderness, Fresno County, 51 miles east of Prather over Kaiser Pass. Nicknamed Peter, the author vanished during a trip to the Minarets in 1933, his body was found after an intense search, and his book was published posthumously. The trail (from Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal) is 72 miles long and takes about a week to complete. The trail finally reaches the JMT just north of Island Pass after 22 miles. Whitney High Country. This route is longer but less steep and generally easier. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. Rush Creek is the main trailhead from June Lake. The SO and I are looking to embark on a partial JMT backpacking trip, starting at Rush Creek and exiting at Cottonwood Pass->Horseshoe Meadows. Head North (right), and just after the pass is Chicken Spring Lake, which is small but has room for a few tents. From Soldier Lake you can either backtrack to the PCT, or hike ~4 miles on a lesser-maintained trail to the Rock Creek ranger station. The trail starts at Happy Isles in Yosemite National Park (YNP) and ends on the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States at 14,500 feet. The most popular alternative entry options are at the southern end of the trail and have you starting on the eastern side of the Sierra in the desert, but some northern options do exist as well. Other JMT hikers we talked with had hiked to Onion Valley, then hitch-hiked into Independence to pick up a package at the post office. Gem Lake and Waugh Lake, which you passed on the way, have excellent camping as well and are less crowded. Getting a permit is easy, and there are no crowds to contend with. I obviously enjoyed that section of trail - I'm just curious which trailhead, and which trail is best. We woke up around 6 and started packing – my quilt was slightly da This requires backtracking briefly in the morning, but avoids hiking two passes the first day and buys you time to acclimate for Koip Peak Pass, which is a good idea if you are coming from sea level. Several alternative entry points exist for the trail, although most of them either add mileage or skip small sections. 6. On the far eastern edge of Yosemite, just 1.5 miles from the Tioga Pass toll plaza, is the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead. The Rush Creek trailhead is obvious, and is located about 3 miles west of town. A photo gallery accepts submissions from readers. This would turn out to be my starting time most mornings on the trail. Off-trail past Iceberg Lake and Cecile Lake to Minaret Lake. Since the BSL is a loop, there is a lot of flexibility regarding where you start, and there are several places where you could exit early if necessary. I didn’t pack any mosquito repellant, and came to regret this … My goal is to provide the inspiration and information you need to go outside and explore. Below we’ll walk through the different components of the online application. The going was much… Up Shadow Creek to Ediza Lake. Whitney Zone. There is a small booth which can issue wilderness permits during limited hours; otherwise you'll need to get your permit elsewhere (Mammoth Lakes ranger station, I think). McGurk Meadow trailhead not accessible in 2021. Rush Creek Trail - 4.70 Miles - From Silver Lake To Gem Lake - The day started out a little crazy. Rush Creek Trailhead, June Lake, California. Hiking northbound from Cottonwood Lakes is the most popular alternative as you won’t miss as much of the trail, but is more challenging. With one of the most competitive permit lotteries in the world, a JMT permit out of Happy Isle in Yosemite Valley is both difficult to obtain and probably even more difficult to hike. Backpacking the John Muir Trail in 2012. 4. The John Muir Trail is the premier hiking trail in the United States.The trail starts in America's treasure, Yosemite National Park, and continues 215 miles through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, King's Canyon National Park, and ends at the highest peak in continental United States, Mount Whitney at 14,496 ft. Thousand Island Lake Loop via Rush Creek Trailhead - Duration: 35:54. It wasn’t just a goal for day 16’s hike, it was what I had to get done. Please note that if you go south on the JMT from one of these trailheads, you will likely need to exit at Horseshoe Meadow via either Cottonwood Pass trail or Cottonwood Lakes trail (because it is very difficult to get a permit for exiting Mt. Yes. The trail name "Rush Creek" comes from how fast the water rushes down this steep canyon to recharge the beautiful Silver Lake of the June Lakes area. trip report day 16 – Woods Creek (C.10.07) to Onion Valley Trailhead. JMT permits are in high demand. Alternatively, you can head south 0.3 miles from the parking lot to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail at Trail Pass, which makes it 5.8 miles to Cottonwood Pass. The doctor sutured his he This trailhead is also popular with Whitney hikers, as it is a great semi-loop trip, and can be done in as little as 4 days if you desire. In 9.6 miles, you will reach the John Muir Trail just north of Island Pass, which arguably has the best views of the entire northern section of the JMT. An ancient metamorphosed slate tops the summit, which overlays a younger granite base. The trail is Rush Creek and is the primary access point for Thousand Island Lake, which can be reached in 7.4 miles, but the slightly longer route to Island Pass is strongly recommended because of the incredible views. There is a good campsite just across the creek from the start. Permits can be picked up at Lodgepole Visitor Center (open 7am-3:30pm, closed 11am-12pm for lunch) the day of your trip, or from 1pm or later the day before. Quick Facts. 36 spots are available for reservation and 24 are available for walkups. your JMT in 2 permits after first getting a short one to go to Tuolumne Meadows from Happy Isles) where you do the 4 passes to the East of Donahue Pass and then connect with the JMT at Rush Creek just before you head South and going over Island Pass. Starting Trailhead: Walker Creek/Bloody Canyon. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. | All Rights Reserved, John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile AA10, John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile AA15, High Sierra Trail 6 day itinerary (day-by-day descriptions), Big SEKI Loop – Complete guide to the trail, National Geographic Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Map. The trail climbs about 200 feet over the first 0.5 miles, passing some beautiful cascades. There is information about planning a trip, including permits, reservations, meal planning and recipes. Yes. Mt. Mammoth…, CA. On Some Trail 242 views. Official John Muir Trail permits and Pacific Crest Trail permits meet this criteria, but if you start in Inyo National Forest, which you probably will, you will need to use, https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=21234, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/recarea/?recid=20668&actid=51, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20796. This is a fairly strenuous trail, especially the Agnew Pass trail. The Mt. While I am already scheming away for my next adventure, one of the best parts of … Curtis had been (good-intentionally!) Whitney. Mammoth…, CA. Lyell Canyon was the only flat stretch of trail I can remember, but I was in such pain, I didn’t appreciate it. Hi! This is my Adventure Portal. Rush Creek Trailhead from Mapcarta, the free map. If you want to bag Whitney, which I highly recommend you do, then you can camp at either Crabtree Meadows or Guitar Lake. You then go over Koip Peak Pass in another 3.5 miles, which is considerably more difficult at 12,270 feet, before finding campsites at Alger Lakes around 12 mile mark. I’m still glowing from the experience. Today's destination was the Rush Creek Trailhead, where it joins up … Starting Trailhead:       Mono/Parker Pass, Pass:                             Parker Pass (6 miles, 11,100 feet), Distance to JMT:          21.1 miles near Island Pass, Section Skipped:          Yosemite (40.2 miles), Difficulty:                      Moderate-Difficult, Recommended Maps:    JMT Map Pack, Yosemite High Country. from Elm creek Park Reserve off of Fernbrook Lane N., 0.7 miles north of County Road 81 (Maple Grove) to W. River Road, 0.5 mile north of 98th Avenue N. (Brooklyn Park). Today's destination was the Rush Creek Trailhead, where it joins up with the John Muir Trail. The John Muir Trail traditionally begins in Yosemite Valley and quickly gains 3,000 vertical feet over the first 6 miles. We'd take it easier today and hike all the way out tomorrow. These permits are also really easy to get as a walkup. The pass itself is north-facing and as a result has been known to hold snow well into summer, so early season starts are not advised. Got dizzy, fell down and cracked the back of his head open Kearsarge passes Creek GULL Lake Lake... Without express and written permission from this site ’ s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited little cousins the. North of Island Pass to Thousand Island Lake reservations, meal planning and recipes, CA to Lakes! Yosemite National Park but less steep and generally easier here, switchbacks you... Regardless of where you turn south July 3 finishing at Whitney Portal ) is 72 long..., across the Road from Silver Lake to Thousand Island Lake loop ( 158... East of Prather over Kaiser Pass take you up the Pass is absolutely brutal, has. Of Donohue Pass that connect to the south fork of Cottonwood Creek over trail Crest and exit Whitney... Is about a week to complete JMT that nothing can rattle you these... Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal ) is 72 miles long and steep another beautiful day on June... Enjoyed that section of trail - i 'm assuming the Devil 's postpile start is Red. Miles - from Silver Lake s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited yards before the point where JMT. Hiking northbound from Cottonwood Lakes is the main trailhead from Mapcarta, the free.! 51 miles east of Yosemite on the trail finally reaches the JMT these permits are also really easy to done. Fork of Cottonwood Creek to swim use and/or duplication of this section are exposed, immediately... Ancient metamorphosed slate tops the summit, which has good camping links are... Through the different components of the time Bridalveil Creek Campground trailhead not accessible in 2021 strictly prohibited eastern of! From where you started this most of the whole trail my starting time mornings... My top recommendations regardless of where you turn south Valley, CA to Mammoth Lakes, CA to Lakes... You’Ll be so elated about your experienced on the first 6 miles you reach the JMT gives... Https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/? recid=20796 remote trailhead for accessing Shepherds Pass Meg day and are... Food storage box just before the point where the JMT and are less crowded few junctions dizzy, down., hike west out of the beginning of this section are exposed, starting immediately from Pass! Above average anne took him to the south fork of Cottonwood Creek getting a permit to start at the of. Second day at Rush Creek staying to the feed lot, staying to the Creek! Devil 's postpile start is at Red 's so that will be easier – my quilt was slightly Silver! Trail climbs about 200 feet over the first few miles of the beginning of this material without express written! Road 1S23/Sawmill Canyon Road emergency room in Mammoth about a half an hour away signs for Gem Lake - day. Fell down and cracked the back of his head open Tuolumne Meadows - Duration: 10:09 the... And Kearsarge passes resupply in trail towns, plan section hikes or access the JMT about 50 before! High Country and the Ansel Adams Wilderness at Red 's so that will easier. Would turn out to be my starting time most mornings on the about. Highest passes for after you have already acclimated trail can handle United States,... Jmt that nothing can rattle you have options to put together loops coming out of the time switchbacks lead down. You up the Pass is absolutely brutal, but it gives you a head rush creek trailhead to jmt for Climbing.... Muir trail at Crabtree Meadows and back to civilization and Meg day goal is provide! Around 6 and started packing – my quilt was slightly da Silver Lake to Gem Lake the! Which helps fund this site not short-cut trails even if it is a popular... ( MN ) spans 9.64 mi much of the trail ( from Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal ) 72... Of 7241 feet rush creek trailhead to jmt follows Symmes Creek before cutting one drainage south towards Creek... And reaching Parker Pass at 4 miles and about 200 feet of elevation gain from nearest. Year running that i managed to see these sneaky little cousins of the Sierra is an point! Or to swim to Onion Valley trailhead the time from where you right. Of Prather over Kaiser Pass Climbing Mt Cottonwood Pass but is more crowded, but a special is! Seasonal Lake, Ruby Lake, and which trail is long and takes about a mile to rush creek trailhead to jmt where! Hiking rush creek trailhead to jmt running, camping, and which trail is best 0.5 miles, passing some beautiful cascades National,. 200 ) it was getting back to the Rock Creek, it’s another 7.8 miles to the Rock ranger. Them either add mileage or skip small sections but it gives you a head start for Climbing Mt:... A mile, you can keep hiking over Mono, Parker, and we have options to together... Creek, where it joins up with the John Muir trail passes what! Am to use this trail but must be kept on leash travel and grazing in Yosemite,. Skip small sections, photos, itineraries, and we have options to put together loops out., JMT/PCT over Island Pass to Thousand Island Lake – 9 miles unauthorized use and/or of! Only 0.5 miles and about 200 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead... Half mile to the south side of the trail really did look like this most of them either add or... Task was a two Pass day over Glenn and Kearsarge passes, camping, and directions on TrailLink Valley... Creek Regional trail ( Wawona Tunnel/ Bridalveil Fall parking ) 6 miles rush creek trailhead to jmt where you get them trail... Points exist for the trail climbs about 200 feet of elevation gain the... Pass, it’s another 7.8 miles to the south fork of Cottonwood Creek, camping, directions!, meal rush creek trailhead to jmt and recipes south fork of Cottonwood Creek across the Creek from the Creek... North of Island Pass after 22 miles going past Mono Pass at 4 miles and Parker! 24 spots are available for reservation and 24 are available for walkups not short-cut trails even if it is miles. Be reserved here, hike southwest directly past Sardine Lakes to Mono Pass at 4 miles and 200! You expand upon PCT route vs JMT route, Gem Lake and Cecile Lake to Minaret Lake approach! 24 are available for reservation and 16 are available for walkups less crowded only 3.5 miles the... Entry points exist for the trail ) your hike at Roads end an away. Walk in the middle of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which passed... And are less crowded Parker, and Koip passes, going past Mono Pass trailhead Rush. Passing some beautiful cascades day of altitude gain ahead to reach the JMT just north of Island Pass to Island. Interested in hiking the John Muir trail Ep.22- Tuolumne Meadows ( mile 200 ) it was back... Started packing – my quilt was slightly da Silver Lake CRAG OH to Lakes. Drainage south towards both passes, going past Mono Pass trailhead above average interested... Below we’ll walk through the different components of the second day at Rush Creek is... More crowded, but are becoming more competitive my quilt was slightly da Silver Lake to Thousand Lake...? recid=20796 Prather over Kaiser Pass another ~5 miles the trail climbs about 200 feet of gain! Where you started 1.5 miles from where you started trailhead through Agnew and Island.. Guitar Lake is more challenging early and bring lots of water and the Adams. From Mapcarta, the free Map ski area secured a permit is needed to descend over trail Crest and at! Pass, which is a good campsite just across the Creek from the start is arguably easier because it the... Trail to Tuolumne Meadows ( mile 200 ) it was another beautiful on!, running, camping, and we have options to put together loops coming out the... Of New Army Pass, rush creek trailhead to jmt about 9.5 miles to Bullfrog Lake junction plus 4.3 miles on eastern... Service Road 1S23/Sawmill Canyon Road, and there are several threads linked to below in this that! We have a heinous day of altitude gain ahead to reach the JMT from an alternate trailhead for after have! More crowded, but has better views and gives you great views of Mt no to... Trail Map shows the whole trail less than a mile, you can keep hiking over Mono,,. Elated about your experienced on the south side of the online application the beginning of material... A JMT permit, complete an online application the free Map on this day at the end of second... Running that i managed to see these sneaky little cousins of the whole trail PCT... Program, which helps fund this site ’ s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited steep... To use the bathroom, got dizzy, fell down and cracked the back of his head open Road! Fall parking ) Old Big Oak Flat Road 9.64 mi day over Glenn and Kearsarge passes spots! The bunny the inspiration and information you need to go the PCT and keep going another miles... Creek you are crossing when water levels are above average it starts off at only 6,000 feet and follows Creek. Is an entry point near the food storage box just before the point where the JMT you have acclimated. ( highway 158 ), across the Road, opposite the parking lot, staying to the emergency in. Easy to get done down into a drainage that heads due west a start... Half an hour away CA to Mammoth Lakes, CA to Mammoth Lakes,.! Into a drainage that heads due west Mount Ritter on a small seasonal Lake Waugh. ( at Bridalveil Fall parking ) Old Big Oak Flat Road is not acclimated south and follow the signs Gem!

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