Introduction
The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile backpacking route through the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney. Most hikers take 3–4 weeks for the full trail, but the southern section from Reds Meadow (accessible by shuttle from Mammoth Lakes) to Whitney Portal is an extraordinary 5–8 day section hike — remote High Sierra, multiple passes above 11,000 feet, stunning lake basins, and a summit on the highest peak in the lower 48.
Why This Section?
The Reds Meadow to Whitney Portal section passes through some of the most remote and spectacular terrain on the entire JMT. The northern section near Yosemite, while beautiful, is much more crowded. This section crosses Silver Pass (10,900 ft), Selden Pass (10,900 ft), Muir Pass (11,955 ft), Mather Pass (12,100 ft), Pinchot Pass (12,130 ft), Glen Pass (11,978 ft), and Forester Pass (13,153 ft) — the highest point on the JMT — before the final climb to Whitney.
Day-by-Day Overview
Day 1 (12 miles): Reds Meadow to Purple Lake. The first day is a relatively gentle introduction through pine forest and over Silver Pass.
Day 2 (14 miles): Purple Lake to Evolution Valley. Through Selden Pass and down into Evolution Valley — one of the most celebrated sections of the JMT with a chain of glacier-carved lakes (Wanda, McDermand, Evolution) backed by towering granite peaks.
Day 3 (11 miles): Evolution Valley over Muir Pass. The ascent to Muir Pass is long and gradual. The summit sits in a high tundra landscape with a stone shelter (the Muir Hut). The descent to Le Conte Canyon is dramatic. Camp near Palisade Creek.
Day 4 (13 miles): Palisade Creek over Mather Pass and Pinchot Pass. Two big passes in one day — very demanding. Pinchot Pass offers views across the Kings Canyon backcountry to peaks in every direction.
Day 5 (14 miles): Pinchot Pass area to Rae Lakes. Cross Glen Pass into the Rae Lakes basin — one of the most beautiful spots in the Sierra. Camp at one of the Rae Lakes designated sites.
Day 6 (11 miles): Rae Lakes to Guitar Lake. Ascend over Forester Pass (13,153 ft) — the highest trail crossing on the JMT. Camp at Guitar Lake beneath the Whitney massif.
Day 7: Summit Mount Whitney, then descend to Whitney Portal. A triumphant finish.
Permits
JMT permits from Yosemite are famously difficult to obtain. Starting from Reds Meadow requires an Inyo National Forest permit (Mammoth Lakes trailhead quota), which is far less competitive. The permit lottery for this entry point opens in mid-April. Overnight permits for the Whitney Zone are separate and also required — get both when planning.
Resupply
Muir Trail Ranch (roughly the midpoint) offers a resupply bucket drop service — ship a food bucket to their address in advance. This is the only resupply option on this section. Without it, carry 7–8 days of food, which is heavy. Plan meals carefully to minimize pack weight.
