The Route
This section of the John Muir Trail covers roughly 37 miles from Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft) south through some of the Sierra Nevada's most spectacular terrain, ending at Reds Meadow near Mammoth Lakes. It passes through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, crosses several major passes, and rewards hikers with alpine lakes, dramatic granite scenery, and the surreal volcanic landscape of Devils Postpile.
Trip Overview
- Dates: Late August
- Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
- Total distance: ~37 miles
- Total elevation gain: ~6,400 feet
- Permit: Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit (reserved via Recreation.gov)
- Party size: 2 hikers
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1: Tuolumne Meadows to Lyell Fork (8 miles)
We started early from the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit station, crossing the iconic meadows before descending into the Lyell Canyon. This is a gentle, beautiful warm-up day — flat trail following the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River through willow-fringed meadows. We camped near the canyon, with excellent views of the high ridgeline to the south. Mosquitoes were present but not overwhelming by late August.
Day 2: Lyell Fork to Thousand Island Lake (10 miles)
The most demanding day of the section. The trail climbs steeply toward Donohue Pass (11,056 ft), the boundary between Yosemite and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The pass itself was rocky and cold with a persistent wind, but the descent into the Rush Creek drainage was spectacular. We camped at Thousand Island Lake — arguably the most stunning campsite on the entire JMT. Banner Peak reflected perfectly in the water at sunset.
Conditions note: Snow patches persisted on the north face of Donohue Pass in late August — microspikes would have been helpful but weren't strictly necessary.
Day 3: Thousand Island Lake to Purple Lake (7 miles)
A shorter, more leisurely day through classic Sierra terrain — granite slabs, meadows, and a series of beautiful lakes. We passed Island Pass and descended into the Garnet Lake basin, then climbed over a minor ridge to Shadow Lake. The afternoon brought typical Sierra thunderstorms; we were in camp by 2:00 PM and waited them out under a tarp.
Day 4: Purple Lake to Duck Creek (6 miles)
Purple Lake to Reds Meadow involves crossing Duck Pass junction country — open, high terrain with sweeping views. We took a short detour to Duck Lake (highly recommended — extremely blue, very few people) before dropping down toward the Reds Meadow valley. The volcanic pumice landscape in this area is unlike anything else on the trail.
Day 5: Duck Creek to Reds Meadow (6 miles)
The final day ends at the Reds Meadow Resort, which offers hot showers, burgers, and a shuttle bus back to Mammoth Lakes. The trail passes near Rainbow Falls — a gorgeous 100-foot waterfall worth the short detour. We arrived at the resort around noon, ate aggressively, and caught the shuttle to town.
Key Lessons Learned
- Get your permit early. Tuolumne entry permits go fast on Recreation.gov — apply in the lottery or grab early morning walk-ups.
- Bear canisters are required. The Ansel Adams Wilderness mandates bear canisters for food storage. No exceptions.
- Plan for afternoon storms in August. Be off exposed passes before noon if possible.
- The Reds Meadow shuttle runs seasonally. Confirm the schedule before your trip — it's the most practical exit from this section.
Final Verdict
This is one of the finest 5-day backpacking sections in the United States. The scenery is relentless, the trail is well-maintained, and the variety — meadows, passes, lakes, volcanic landscape — keeps every day interesting. If you're considering a full JMT thru-hike and want to test the waters, this section is an ideal starting point.