How difficult is it to get a JMT permit?

Over the years this trail has gotten more and more popular which means that getting a JMT permit is getting harder, and the lottery system is super competitive. John Muir Trail permits are so popular that according to the National Park Service, 97% of JMT permit applications get denied.

Can you transfer Half Dome permit?

The permit holder or alternate must be present with the entire group at the base of the subdome, where rangers will check for permits. The names of the permit holder and alternate may not be changed once the application is submitted. Permits are not transferable.

How do I get a northbound JMT permit?

Northbound from Whitney Portal Similar to the southbound John Muir Trail permit, you apply for a permit to hike northbound from Whitney Portal via a lottery system on Recreation.gov.

How long does it take to complete the John Muir Trail?

about three weeks
How Long Does It Take? Most people complete the John Muir Trail in about three weeks. Although the official trail ending at Mt. Whitney is 210 miles, you’ll still need to hike down to Whitney Portal after you summit, resulting in an end-to-end total of 221 miles.

What are the odds of getting a Half Dome permit?

Does this sound discouraging? In more recent years, your chances of getting a Half Dome permit actually improved, with a 28% success rate in 2019 and a 36% success rate in 2020. But we all know that 2020 was not a normal year.

Do you need a permit to hike El Capitan?

Unlike some other popular hikes in Yosemite, such as Half Dome, you do not need a permit to hike El Capitan. The only time you would need a permit to hike to the summit of El Cap is if you plan to turn the adventure into a backpacking trip.

What is JMT Nobo?

Note: This is the first in a series of five posts describing the John Muir Trail (JMT), a scintillating, multi-week hike through California’s Sierra Nevada that extends more than 200 miles from Yosemite National Park in the north to Mount Whitney and Sequoia National Park in the south.

Is bear spray allowed on the JMT?

Possession of weapons, including bear spray, is prohibited. Possession of firearms is subject to state regulations. In all wilderness areas along the JMT, proper food storage is mandatory.

Are bear canisters required on the JMT?

JMT hikers must properly store their food while on the trail by using an approved bear canister (which protects your items not only from bears, but also from rodents). All food, toiletries, scented items, and trash must go in your canister, and you must lock it whenever it is not in use.