Happy Isles -- JMT endpoint
This is one of the JMT endpoints. The other is Mount Whitney. Most hikers probably do the JMT from North to South, making Happy Isles their starting point.

Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows is a possible resupply point. It is also an alternate starting point. If one isn't concerned with doing the complete JMT hike, starting here cuts out the initial steep climb out of Yosemite Valley.

Lyell Canyon camping area starts
Camping along the Tuolumne River for five miles from the road/parking area is not allowed. Legal camping starts about here. Lot's of people congregate in this area including horse and mule packers with sizeable camps. Bears commonly look for unsecured camper food in this area.

Donohue Pass
This is the first of the high passes that southbound hikers encounter. It is a stiff climb best done earlier in the day.

Ansel Adams Wilderness

Thousand Island Lake camp
You must camp away from the trail on Thousand Island Lake. Our camp was approx here. There are no really great flat campsites along this shore, but ours was reasonable. It's easier if you do small footprint (no tent) camping.

Garnet Lake outlet
Largest of the "Gem" lakes, Garnet has some nice camping areas on it's northern shore. One must camp some distance away from the water itself.

Trinity Lakes area

Devil's Postpile
The JMT intersects with many local trails in this area. While they are fairly well-marked, hikers should be careful not to get on the wrong trail as considerable time can be wasted. That said, most hikers will want to get a few shots of the famous Devil's Postpile.

Southern Red Cone

Lake Virginia camp
Lake Virginia has a nice sandy meadow on it's northwestern corner near the trail. We made the mistake of thinking this would be an ideal campsite. It was...until the next morning when soaking dew drenched all our gear. Camp a little higher -- ideally on a shelf 50-100 feet above a basin where you can catch an evening breeze. It will prove drier and less prone to mosquitoes. The only downside is that you'll need to walk a bit for your camp water.

Silver Pass
This pass has some nice views and on its south side there are some great campsites with ample water.

Vermilion Valley Resort ferry landing
Vermilion Valley Resort is a potential resupply point and a great place to refresh your spirits. Hikers are welcome and can shower and wash their clothes. Stay free the first night in one of their wood-floored communal tents. The resort is several miles from the trail, but has a ferry service that runs twice a day. Check their website for the ferry schedule.

Mono Creek bridge
The JMT has lots of bridges, including many well constructed ones like the Mono Creek bridge.

Bear Ridge
The climb out of the Lake Edison basin along Bear Ridge is steep with lots of switchbacks, but also some dramatic views. Try to do this one in the morning if possible.

Muir Trail Ranch - resupply possible
Another possible resupply point. Check their website for details on how to resupply there. Blaney Hotsprings, a hiker favorite, is nearby.

Junction of San Joaquin and Piute Creek--established camp here
This established campsite is the first reasonable spot to camp after making a resupply at the Muir Ranch. We found a lot of campers here. Be sure to secure your food well.

McClure Meadow in Evolution Valley
After the steep climb up to Evolution Valley, McClure Meadow is an idyllic place to rest a bit and have lunch. Even at the end of August, we found some mosquitoes during mid-day, but they weren't too bad.

Evolution Lake
Our camping spot here was pleasant, but in high meadows like this, the environment is very fragile. It is better to make a light footprint camp on bare ground.

Wanda Lake
Wanda Lake is only a few hundred feet higher than Evolution Lake, but the difference ecologically is dramatic. Most years there is permanent snow on the shaded side of the lake.

Muir Pass
Here is the famous Muir hut. It's a good place to rest and take some pictures, but not a good place to camp overnight except in an emergency. Lower camps are better.

Helen Lake

Middle Fork Kings River
In late August, at this elevation, the water is low, but as the scoured rocks show, the Spring rapids are powerful.

Big Pete Meadow
A view of Big Pete Meadow and Le Conte Canyon from higher elevation.
There are several established campsites in these meadows. This one at this location had a fire pit and room for a couple of tents, as well as close proximity to the river.

Base of Golden Staircase
Base of the "Golden Staircase" looking towards the north.

Climbing the Golden Staircase
This is a steep climb with great views. It was the last part of the JMT to be completed.

Lower Palisades Lake

Upper Palisades Lake
This campsite is high above Upper Palisades Lake, but water is available from a nearby streamlet. We camped here for a day and a half due to severe weather on Mather Pass.

Mather Pass
Mather Pass looking towards the east.

South Fork Kings River
The JMT follows the South Fork of the Kings River for a short distance here.

Pinchot Pass
It always feels good to get to the top of a pass!

Twin Lakes area
Mount Cedric Wright in the Twin Lakes area.

Golden Gate of the Sierras (suspension bridge)
This sturdy and picturesque suspension bridge is best crossed one hiker at a time.
The "Golden Gate of the Sierras," built in 1988.

Rae Lakes
Dollar Lake in the Rae Lakes area.

Glen Pass
This pass proved tougher than expected. We made the climb late in the day, and after getting into the switchbacks the crest was hidden from view. We expected each rise was the top, but were repeatedly fooled. On the way down be sure to get water from the tarn near the trail as water is scarce for some distance.

Kearsarge Pass (to Independence)
A view of Kearsarge Pinnacles from the top of the pass. We went over Kearsarge Pass to resupply in the town of Independence. There are some good camping areas around Kearsarge Lakes.

Onion Valley Trailhead
Below Kearsarge Pass, this popular campground is a good place to find a ride into Independence.

Vidette Meadows
There are many established campsites in the Vidette Meadows area. Most have bear boxes and for good reason. We didn't have any bear problems here, but the boxes are good insurance.

Bubbs Creek
Bubbs Creek is a beautiful stream and we took lots of pictures here. It can also be a dangerous stream especially in the early season.

Golden Bear Lake in Center Basin
Center Basin is reached from a side trail, and if one has the time, it is worthy of exploration. This shot was taken in the late afternoon

near headwaters of Bubbs Creek
Streams in the Sierras are fed from numerous trickles born from the previous winter's snows. Even after the snow is gone, the water emerges magically from the stoney slopes.

climbing towards Forester Pass
Forester Pass is the highest one on the JMT, and it is a long climb. Some parts of the trail here seem to go right into the sky.

Forester Pass
It's great to top this one! The descent to the south is along a truly steep cliff face.

Diamond Mesa
Diamond Mesa viewed after descending Forester Pass southbound.

Lake South America
This beautiful side trail forks off the JMT near Tyndall Creek.

Tyndall Creek
Tyndall Creek is reputedly a quality high country trout stream. There are some established campsites nearby.

climb towards Bighorn Plateau
As you climb above tree-line, scenic panoramas open up displaying great photo opportunities. These hardy trees show signs of lightning strike or other stress, but still hang on to life.

Bighorn Plateau
This high plateau seems weirdly out of place. This shallow pool of water near the top of the plateau is obviously not a good source of drinking water.

between Wright and Wallace Creek
At this high camp, we experience rain and a lightening storm that was much too close for comfort. Some trees in the area had blackened crowns -- evidence of lightening strikes. Camping lower is better!

near Crabtree Ranger Station

Guitar Lake
Guitar Lake is a classic staging area for hikers getting ready to climb Mt. Whitney. Most begin their climb before the first morning light.

"Unnamed Tarn" camp
When we got to Guitar Lake, the few decent camp spots were taken; mostly stoney ground was left. Rather than camp there, we proceeded a bit higher to this unnamed tarn, and decided to name it "Unnamed Tarn."

Junction to Trail Crest
While the JMT technically ends (or begins) at Mt. Whitney summit, obviously there are no roads to the peak. Access from the south is usually from Whitney Portal over Trail Crest Pass.

Mt.Muir

Keeler Needle

Mt. Whitney
Mt. Whitney summit and the southern terminous of the JMT. There is an emergency hut here, but it isn't secure against electrical storms. Hikers are cautioned to descend if a storm seems possible.

Trail Crest Pass
Forrester Pass is the highest Pass on the JMT. Though Trail Crest Pass is higher, it is technically not on the JMT. Also, since southbound hikers cross it after descending Mt. Whitney, Trail Crest Pass doesn't "seem" as high. However for those coming from the south it is a long climb with lots of switchbacks.

Outpost Camp
This is one of the established campsites on the trail to Whitney Portal. One is surrounded by high peaks!

Lone Pine Lake
This was our last campsite before exiting at Whitney Portal. We could have easily come out the day before, but our ride wouldn't have been there. This was a pleasant camp to rest and fish before exiting.

Whitney Portal Trailhead
Whitney Portal trailhead, and exit point for most southbound JMT hikers.

JMT
Split JMT into segments