Tried the JMT northbound vs southbound, one direction was way easier

Did the John Muir Trail in two parts, first southbound from Yosemite last summer then northbound from Whitney Portal this fall. Going southbound meant dealing with 13,000 ft passes early when I was still fresh, but the sun hit me harder on the north side. Northbound felt smoother for pacing since the big climbs came later, plus I hit Lone Pine for a burger after day 3. Anyone else notice the trail conditions or water sources shift depending on which way you go?

2 comments

2 Comments

seth_shah1mo ago

Did you hit the same trail conditions going both ways, or did the rangers warn you about anything? Honestly, I did the full JMT southbound and then flipped a section north a few years back, and the difference was wild. Southbound, the passes felt brutal early but the water was way easier to find since I was reading the flow downhill. Northbound, I kept catching myself on the same climbs but with a heavier pack and tired legs by day 5, so it felt slower even though the views hit different. For me, the sun was the real kicker too, southbound meant afternoon glare right in my face on the exposed ridges. I ended up liking northbound better for pacing, but only because I knew where the good campsites were from the first trip. Tbh, I think it depends on how much time you have and whether you like getting the hard stuff over with fast.

lewis.terry1mo ago

Rangers warned me about a bear that stole my trail mix. Guess it was hungry too.