A Virtual Tour of the John Muir Trail
By The National Park Service's Historic American Landscapes Survey
John Muir Trail
This Virtual Tour highlights representative landscapes along the John Muir Trail and is one component of a survey undertaken by the National Park Service Heritage Documentation Programs ’ Historic American Landscapes Survey .
Additional historic imagery was provided by the NPS Historic Photograph Collection, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks , Sierra National Forest History Collection, Library of Congres , National Archives San Francisco , California State Archives , Marin County Free Library , and Sierra Club William E. Colby Memorial Library .
This project was completed with assistance from Yosemite National Park , Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks , Devils Postpile National Monument , the Sierra Club Foundation , and the John Muir Trail Wilderness Conservancy .
Funding for this presentation provided by the NPS Alternative Transportation Program
The maps included in this Story Map are interactive. Use the buttons on the map to perform the following operations: open and close the legend using the button in the lower left corner, open the map in full screen mode using the button in the top right corner, and zoom in and out using the buttons in the lower right corner. Clicking on the features will open dialog boxes with additional information.
The images in the virtual tour can be expanded clicking on the photo.
Stretching approximately 214 miles from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the John Muir Trail (JMT) is one of the oldest and most spectacular long-distance scenic trails in the United States. Following the crest of the Sierra Nevada as closely as possible, it traverses majestic heights, deep canyons, lush meadows, and alluring alpine lakes while crossing ten passes of 10,000’ or more.
Along with showcasing the natural wonders of the High Sierra, the JMT is a richly textured cultural landscape, bearing witness to hundreds of years of human history. Building on trails and traces established by American Indians, prospectors, sheepherders, and cattlemen, today’s recreational route is the product of ongoing cooperation between individual mountain lovers, not-for-profit organizations, federal agencies, and state and local authorities.
The Sierra Club took the lead in defining the route in the 1890s-1910s, securing authorization and funding from the State of California in 1915 and collaborating with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service on the trail’s design and construction. A preliminary route was opened in 1916 and the final segment of the original construction was completed in 1938.
The JMT lies entirely within protected public reservations: Yosemite National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo National Forest, and Sierra National Forest. The Forest Service sections include portions of Ansel Adams Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness. The majority of the JMT was incorporated in the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in 1968.
The History and Survey of the John Muir Trail
A History and Survey of the John Muir Trail is available on a separate Story Map at: https://arcg.is/1fm45D
(Or by using the Open Live Content button in the top right corner of the panel to the right)
Yosemite Valley to Lake Edison
John Muir Trail Story Map Data-Yosemite Valley to Lake Edison
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Happy Isles Trail Head (Wenk 2017)
The Happy Isles Trail Head in Yosemite Valley is currently considered the northern terminus of the John Muir Trail.
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Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap and back of Half Dome (Wenk 2017)
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Cathedral Peak (Wenk 2018)
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Old Tioga Road from Lake Tenaya through Tuolumne Meadows (Lily Davis 2018)
The JMT originally followed the old Tioga Road from Lake Tenaya through Tuolumne Meadows. It was relocated following the road's reconstruction in the 1930s to avoid conflict with automobile-oriented development but many people follow the old route to view the meadows and visit Parsons Memorial Lodge.
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Parsons Memorial Lodge (NPS Photo)
The Sierra Club constructed Parsons Memorial Lodge in 1915 to serve as a gathering place and information center. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 as an exemplar of park rustic architecture.
View more information about Parsons Memorial Lodge at: https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/79000283
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Lyell Canyon (Wenk 2019)
Much of the trail in Lyell Canyon has been relocated away from the stream to reduce impacts on environmentally sensitive meadows and riparian zones.
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Donahue Pass (Wenk 2013)
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View over Thousand Island Lake to Banner Peak. (Wenk 2013)
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Devils Postpile (Wenk 2016)
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Laminated-wood arch bridge, Devils Postpile (Davis 2018)
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Rainbow Falls (Davis 2018)
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Entering Ansel Adams Wilderness (Davis 2018)
Landscape recovering from 1992 Rainbow Fire
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Crater Creek (Davis 2018)
Bridge for pedestrians and ford for stock
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Trail through pumice region (Davis 2018)
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Purple Lake (Davis 2018)
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Lake Virginia stepping stones (Davis 2018)
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Tully Hole (Davis 2018)
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Chief Lake (Davis 2018)
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Approaching Silver Pass from north (Davis 2018)
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Silver Pass (Davis 2018)
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Looking south from Silver Pass (Davis 2018)
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Trail marked with rocks across slabs (Davis 2018)
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Meadow on Silver Lake Creek (Davis 2018)
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Steep descent to North Fork of Mono Creek (Davis 2018)
Rock steps are often constructed on steep sections to provide a stable treadway and counter erosion.
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Trail on slabs alongside North Fork of Mono Creek (Davis 2018)
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Edison Lake Junction (M.G. Baker 2018)
Mono Creek to Mather Pass
John Muir Trail Story Map Data-Mono Creek to Mather Pass
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Mono Creek Bridge (Davis 2018)
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Bear Ridge switchbacks (Davis 2018)
Switchbacks are utilized to reduce grades on steep ascents
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Bear Ridge looking south toward Seven Gables (Davis 2018)
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U.S. Forest Service Blaze (Davis 2018)
Tree on left displays early U.S. Forest Service blaze partially engulfed by subsequent growth
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Fording Bear Creek (Davis 2018)
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Rosemarie Meadow (Davis 2018)
This was one of the first places where the trail was relocated to minimize impact on sensitive terrain.
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Marie Lake, looking toward Selden Pass (Davis 2018)
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Views north and south from Selden Pass (Davis 2018)
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Sally Keyes Lakes (Davis 2018)
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Muir Trail Cabin and early U.S. Forest Service sign (Wenk 2018)
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Piute Creek Bridge (Davis 2018)
Border between Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park
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Trail blasted through cliff along South Fork of the San Joaquin River during initial construction in 1917 (Davis 2018)
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Muir Trail Rock marker carved by 1917 U.S.F.S. trail crew (Wenk 2018)
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Steel truss bridge over South Fork of San Joaquin River (Davis 2018)
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Upper South Fork Bridge (Davis 2018)
Steel girders were topped with timber deck and log railings to combine strength and durability with traditional rustic appearance.
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Climbing along Evolution Creek to Evolution Valley (Davis 2018)
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McClure Meadow (Davis 2018)
Mt. Darwin (L), and The Hermit (R). Named for Wilbur McClure, the California state highway engineer initially in charge of the JMT project.
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McClure Meadow Ranger Station (Davis 2018)
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Trail around Evolution Lake (Davis 2018)
The JMT was relocated from the fragile shoreline to adjacent talus slope to reduce environmental impact
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Wanda Lake (Davis 2018)
Named after John Muir's older daughter
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Approaching Muir Pass (Davis 2018)
Note Muir shelter blending with landscape on left
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John Muir Memorial Shelter (Davis 2018)
The John Muir Memorial Shelter was constructed by U.S. Forest Service in 1930 with funding donated to the Sierra Club by George Schwarz. The design was intended to harmonize with the surroundings and was inspired by beehive-shaped vernacular buildings from Italy's Apulia region. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
View more information about the John Muir Memorial Shelter at: https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/16000576.htm
(Click on the buttons to scroll through the images)
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View south from Muir Pass (Davis 2018)
Second body of water is Helen Lake, named after Muir's younger daughter
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View down LeConte Canyon (Davis 2018)
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Barrier Rock (Davis 2018)
Passageway blasted across cliff by USFS trail crew in 1917, allowing travelers with pack stock to cross Muir Pass and eliminating a circuitous detour over Hell For Sure Pass
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LeConte Ranger station and bridge over Dusy Branch. (Davis 2018)
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Grouse Meadow (Davis 2018)
Celebrated by the JMT's route-finders as one of the most favorable camping spots in the Sierra Nevada
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The Golden Staircase (Davis 2018)
Construction of the switchbacking Golden Staircase in 1938 completed the final link in the JMT by providing a safe way to negotiate the steep and dangerous cliffs below Palisade Lakes
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The Golden Staircase (Davis 2018)
Many sections of the Golden Staircase have been reconstructed over the years to repair damage caused by the harsh conditions and heavy use
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View north along the course of the JMT from top of Golden Staircase (Davis 2018)
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Lower Palisade Lake (Davis 2018)
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View south toward Mather Pass (Davis 2018)
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Mather Pass and view to south (Davis 2018)
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Switchbacks cut into cliffs on south side of Mather Pass (Davis 2018)
Upper Basin to Forester Pass
John Muir Trail Story Map Data-Upper Basin to Forester Pass
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Upper Basin (Davis 2018)
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View south from Pinchot Pass (Davis 2018)
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Basin south of Pinchot Pass (Davis 2018)
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Looking toward Crater Mountain and Mount Wynne from unnamed lake on bluff above Twin Lakes (Davis 2018)
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Pack train descending along Woods Creek (Davis (2018)
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Cascades and basins along Woods Creek (Davis 2018)
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Woods Creek suspension bridge (Davis 2018)
The "Golden Gate of the Sierra"
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Dollar Lake, Fin Dome in background (Davis 2018)
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Looking toward Fin Dome over Arrowhead Lake outlet stream (Davis 2018)
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Passing between Upper and Lower Rae Lakes (Davis 2018)
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Approaching Glen Pass from north (Davis 2018)
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Glen Pass (Davis 2018)
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Switchbacks on south side of Glen Pass (Davis 2018)
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Descending to Charlotte Lake (Davis 2018)
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California Conservation Corps Trail Crew repairing eroded trail (Davis 2018)
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Bubbs Creek (Davis 2018)
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Looking north toward Kearsarge Pinnacles and University Peak (Davis 2018)
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Trail climbing toward Forester Pass (2018)
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Extensive retaining wall on northern approach to Forester Pass (Davis 2018)
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Forester Pass and view toward south (Davis 2018)
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South side of Forester Pass (Davis 2018)
Constructing the JMT down the south side of Forester Pass required extensive switchbacks, retaining walls and blasting
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Memorial to Donald Downs (Davis 2018)
Trail worker Donald Downs was fatally injured in a blasting accident during JMT construction in 1930
Forester Pass to Mt. Whitney
John Muir Trail Story Map Data-Forester Pass to Mt. Whitney
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View south into Kern River drainage (Davis 2018)
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Dropping down toward Tyndall Creek (Davis 2018)
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Bighorn Plateau (Davis 2018)
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High Sierra Trail Junction (Davis 2018)
The High Sierra Trail (HST) from Crescent Meadow on the west side of Sequoia National Park was constructed between 1928-1932. The JMT and HST share the same path from this point to the summit of Mt. Whitney
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Foxtail Pines (Davis 2018)
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Crabtree Junction (Davis 2018)
The JMT ascends Mt. Whitney from this point and the Pacific Crest Trail continues south. Mount Whitney-bound travelers must carry out human waste in "wag bags" provided by NPS
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Timberline Lake (Davis 2018)
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Looking down toward Guitar Lake (Davisd 2018)
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Climbing switchbacks to Mt. Whitney Trail Junction (Davis 2018)
MT. Whitney summit rising on horizon
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Approaching Mt. Whitney Trail Junction (Davis 2018)
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Mt. Whitney Trail Junction (Davis 2018)
The JMT and HST join the Mt. Whitney Trail ascending the east side of Sierra Crest from Whitney Portal. The trail between the junction and the summit of Mt. Whitney was constructed in 1929-1930, requiring careful layout and extensive dry-laid stone masonry to minimize blasting in the scenic but hazardous terrain
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Ridge to Mt. Whitney (Davis 2018)
The hike along the ridge to Mt. Whitney is one of the most exhilarating parts of the JMT trip
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The Pinnacles (Davis 2018)
The trail through the striking rock formations known as The Pinnacles was challenging to construct
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Views From The Pinnacles (Davis 2018)
The Pinnacles frame spectacular views of the terrain thousands of feet below on either side. Many JMT travelers camp at Guitar Lake (visible in right hand image) and rise early to hike in the dark and watch the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Whitney
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The final approach to the summit of Mt. Whitney traverses an immense talus field. (Davis 2018)
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Mt. Whitney Summit Shelter (Davis 2018)
A stone building was constructed at the summit in 1909 to shelter researchers from the Smithsonian Institution. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
View more information about the Mt. Whitney Summit Shelter at: https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/77000119
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Summit of Mt. Whitney (Davis 2018)
A grand ceremony was held on the summit of Mt. Whitney to commemorate the completion of this portion of the JMT/HST and the trail down the east side of the divide to Whitney Porta
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Views from the summit of Mt. Whitney (Davis 2018)
Mt. Whitney is the southern terminus of the JMT and highest point in the contiguous United States
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Trail Crest on the Sierra Divide (Davis 2018)
Trail Crest on the Sierra Divide serves as the border between Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest. Most JMT travelers take the Mt. Whitney Trail from Trail Crest down to Whitney Portal and Owens Valley
