2. Requirements and Time
Can you hike the JMT? If you are interested in hiking and have some experience, the answer is probably yes. However, 222mi/360km with 47,800ft/14,600m gain and 43,200ft/13,200m loss reaching its highest point at 14,500ft/4.420m Mt. Whitney is a challenge for anyone2.
General requirements on the trail are surefootedness, ability to deal with high altitudes, and a good overall level of fitness and endurance. However, since the JMT is maintained to be passed by horses, this is a non-technical trail, i.e. no climbing skills are needed. Nevertheless, in the winter months / when snow is present, special gear and skills are necessary for safe travels.
Further requirements for the logistics are a strong back and knees to carry the load of your backpack (approx. 30-45lb/14-20kg), resistance to dry air and both hot and cold temperatures, and the ability to camp (using a gas stove, setting up your tent and pad, following nature’s call in the wild, etc.).
In order to have an adequate challenge, start by planning your days on the trail. As a first guideline, use Figure 2 - based on your age and fitness level. The chart is meant to help you with an initial assessment of how many days you will take for the JMT. This is the first step to all your further planning, especially regarding food and resupply. To read more, click here or visit www.planandgohiking.com
Take the row with your age on the left and move right to the column corresponding to your level of fitness. For example, “John”, a 40 year old of average fitness should plan to take roughly 16-18 days, so let us say 17.
2 All distances and elevation gains/losses are from Yosemite Valley Happy Isles to Whitney Portal.70 18 21 23
With your estimate of trail days (ETD), you can calculate your average miles per day: divide 222 miles by your ETD.
Average miles per day = 222 miles / ETD
Taking the above example of John leads to 222/17= 13 miles per day on average. That might not sound like much, but keep in mind that every horizontal mile is accompanied by 230ft up and 210ft down, i.e., equivalent to approx. 500 stair steps up and 450 steps down.
While on the JMT, I met a 74 year old who was planning 24 days with his wife; a 67 year old who was doing the JMT in 32 day (for the 8th time!); a 63 year old who finished in 16 days; and a 50 year old who completed the JMT in 15 days. On average, most people will spend 15-20 days between Yosemite and Whitney Portal. Schedules vary greatly on how each one allocates time on and off the trail, hiking and relaxing.
In order to account for these differences and to give you a more personalized trail itinerary, consider the following questions: To read more, click here
Finding the right hiking buddy for this challenging endeavor can be a challenge in itself. Depending on who your friends are, this part may be complicated or not. Either way, your prospective hiking buddy3 will need sufficient time to prepare, so you need to think about who you want to give a heads up. But before you start asking everyone you know, you may want to consider this:
- You will be spending 2+ weeks with this person, day and night
- You should have somewhat similar hiking speeds
- Your buddy should be likely to keep his commitment
To read more, click here
3For simplicity, I am using the male, singular form “hiking buddy”, which shall also include all female and multiple “buddies” if applicable.
Of most things, however, each of you will need or want your own (see Chapter 6 Gear). Though sharing a tent would also save some weight, it does not outweigh the comfort of being able to retreat alone after a long day.
Especially if this is your first multi-day hike, a friend by your side can keep spirits up and make recovering easier. You can help keep each other on schedule, discuss how far to walk, where to set up camp, where to rest, remind each other to put on sun screen, etc. In case of an emergency, it is obviously good to have someone close. Though the JMT is quite frequented in the summer time, you never know when another hiker will pass.
For several other reasons, it is wonderful to bring a companion… To read more, click here
c. Travel Arrangements
Getting to and from the main trailheads at Yosemite Valley and Whitney Portal takes some planning, but is still rather convenient when you consider that you are entering a wilderness zone. Depending on where you are coming from and which direction you want to walk the JMT, choose a combination of the below means of transportation and make sure to check the schedules [Travel Arrangements].
The following map shows all the possible travel options. Further below, you will find the specifics of each of these options explained in more detail… To read more, click here
Travelling by rental car
Renting a car can save you a lot of time if public transport connections are unfortunate for your location and/or date of travel. The closest rental car centers to the trail heads are… To read more, click here
Travelling by airplane
Most out-of-state hikers will fly into San Francisco or Los Angeles. Any combination of the above buses, trains, and rental cars is then easily available. Additionally, there are regular scheduled flights between… To read more, click here
Travelling with your own car
There is long-term parking at both trailheads, so you can choose to leave your car at your start or finishing point. After strenuous weeks of hiking, being able to get in your car and take off without having to worry about bus connections can be worth getting the logistics over with before starting your trek. Remember not to leave any food or scented items in your car. Having a cell phone charger that plugs into your lighter outlet may come in handy.