John Muir Trail

A long-distance walking route running the length of California's Sierra Nevada. It starts on the summit of Mount Whitney (4,421 m), the highest point in the contiguous 48 states, and ends at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. The trail is named for John Muir, the naturalist whose campaigning led to the Sierra Nevada's protection. [Route details] Start: Mount Whitney Summit End: Happy Isles, Yosemite Valley 324.8 km · south to north 4,421 m on Whitney down to about 1,220 m in Yosemite Valley [Passes crossed] - Forester Pass (32 km) — the highest pass on the trail - Glen Pass (51 km) - Mather Pass (91 km) - Muir Pass (125 km) - Silver Pass (199 km) - Donohue Pass (269 km) — the Yosemite National Park boundary - Cathedral Pass (299 km) [Good to know] - The trail crosses Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks and the Inyo National Forest. A wilderness permit is required for most of it. - Most of the route is above 3,000 m, and when it is walkable depends on the snowmelt. - The source map also carries exit routes (Bishop Pass, Kearsarge, Bear Ridge and others) and alternates; only the main line is included here.