John Muir Trail - Battling the early season snow

Jimmy returns to the JMT during yet another big snow year. Has his prior experience prepared him for trail conditions that have turned around so many other hikers?
Favorite pieces of gear:
Funky hat: amzn.to/2NfQ0Vi
Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor: amzn.to/2x5rJns
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm: amzn.to/2fAF1SN
Altra Lone Peak 3.5: amzn.to/2wpVPm7
MSR Windburner: amzn.to/2K3Kxxo
Sierra Designs Cloud 20 sleeping bag: amzn.to/2VVP8cv
Nalgene On-The-Fly bottle: amzn.to/2Erl4dZ
2019 JMT Gear List: bit.ly/2KGMnp6
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Music thanks to:
Ender Güney ( / ncmepicmusic )
Ross Bugden ( / rossbugden )
Whitesand ( / @whitesandcomposer )
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[@HikingNerd]

Questions? Answers? Ask away in the comments below!

[@frankwright9774]

why go swimming with all your clothing and shoes on?

[@HikingNerd]

@@frankwright9774 to prolong the suffering

[@jamielukens9810]

Hiking Nerd hey guys we just got our 2 man permit leaving out of Happy Isles on June 17th! This will be our first JMT trip what recommendation do you have!?

[@HikingNerd]

Have a great time! That’s pretty early in the season so check out my other JMT video to get a sense for what conditions could be like in June.

[@chuckwhittington975]

What did you use to video this trip

[@nobodyhikes]

The snow looks incredible in that landscape. Appreciate the efforts to get out there and document the trip!

[@greatthings4US]

Great Video Jimmy! It's good you're back and sharing your adventures with us again.

[@trailkrum6750]

Isn't refreshing (pun intended) to experience the High Sierra with few people around when it's still sporting its winter white coat? A completely different place under those conditions and a bit more of an adventure :) Thanks for sharing!

[@HikingNerd]

trailkrum It’s way COOLER!

[@JimBobele]

Gorgeous landscape. The garnet lake mirror is outstanding! Thumbs up

[@heuer2020]

Great video! Took me back to my thru-hike in 2006, aka the absolute best month of my life!

[@Ecamaxfly]

You guys were JUST behind us! we Got to Mammoth on the 20th at night and left on the 22nd around noon!

[@edwardkenny2356]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Wonderful content, scenery, etc... Thank you for taking the time to document this. ⭐

[@luizarroyo988]

Great video! Thanks so much for sharing. It is great to see what the conditions are like out there with high snowpack this year

[@stukesowle4911]

This video is going to be very applicable this year!!

[@scotthenryhopkins9297]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing, great how you overcame the obstacles with the heavy snow.

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks Scott! Good to hear from you.

[@johningle8439]

Great video guys. I spent a lot of the 70’s and 80’s camping, hiking, and fishing the east side of the Sierras. Mostly north of Bishop. Your video brings back a lot of good memories.

[@landonbrown6663]

I got an August permit and I cannot wait to eat Shin Ramyun for 18 days!

[@mikescheme]

You're a beast! Nice job on completing that tough stretch and great video production and commentary.

[@markcummings6856]

Nice trip, sweet video. Thanks for your efforts in sharing!

[@donkemp8151]

Great video and narration.

[@bryanmichael2216]

Very useful to see conditions - heading out on the same segment starting July 17th. I anticipate most snow gone by then but taking microspikes just in case... maybe still snow over the passes and maybe around the JMT / PCT junction which still shows 25in at Thousand Island Lake... I wasn't planning on getting a fire permit but maybe I will in case I need it to dry out socks, etc. Definitely taking an extra pair of socks!

[@johnprisk]

Epic. I was at that Minart Creek crossing in late June (around the 20th) and it was still modestly deep in spots. Gorgeous views - thanks for sharing!

[@original1212]

Great video. Good quality footage, information/feedback on the sites and gear you had, and the data on miles/elevation/effort/temp/route conditions etc. As someone who's looking to do this route one day (potentially early season as well), having all this info in one sub 30min video was a great find. Thanks for taking the time to record, edit and share. Liked, Subscribed, I even clicked the bell...

[@norbertriojas]

Excellent vid. Only a TRUE backpacker can relate to your experience. 2016 was another record snow year and I had a solo loop from White Wolf to Ten Lakes to Glenn Aulin to Benson Pass down to the Grand Canyon and back up to White Wolf. Just map and compass, no GPS. Lost the trail, dropped my pack, and scouted my best options. Exhausting and scary. 2017 over Red Peak Pass, YNP. Another record snow year. Same thing. The struggle. Donahue Pass is beautIful with snow in WINTER, not SUMMER. What is lost upon many viewers is that this is Climate Change ground zero. There should only be PATCHES of snow at GLEN PASS, FORESTER PASS, and WHITNEY this time of year!! Glad you didn’t mention about all those dead ass trees killed by the bark beetle on your drive in on HWY 120 😱.... or maybe you took 395 from RNO

[@jenellebarkley]

Awesome video, I really enjoyed watching it. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@Brian-gv7ug]

Awesome adventure! Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Nice video...well done. I bet that water tasted great right out of the river.

[@carlosevangelistahappyhike4896]

Thanks Jimmy for the video and the up date! Starting 07/18/2019 from Cottonwood Pass.

[@HikingNerd]

Enjoy!

[@vcents8960]

Carlos Evangelista planning to start 7/17 mammoth to Yosemite. See you on the trail bro. Hopefully conditions better.

[@Stickbiker]

Beautiful film, guys

[@michaelcalles1124]

Great video thanks for sharing. I'll bet that burger at the end was the best!

[@joshuaheiller2374]

thanks for putting these videos together! Good inspiration to start planning future trips

[@HikingNerd]

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear it :)

[@onebigkahuna]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video!

[@baskets8429]

Gorgeous

[@editz26smithoni69]

you remind me of that Andrew guy from Adventure Archives youtube channel but less nerdy haha

[@schistyakov]

Great vid! You rock!

[@emberfoxxo]

wow, it would be so amazing hiking up there during the summer while there is still frozen snow on the ground

[@monaliza8559]

Thank you for sharing. Great Video

[@craigsmith6446]

Wow, cool, I just rewatched your 2017 video and stumbled upon this. I am going in August northbound.

[@HikingNerd]

Amazing! You're going to have such a wonderful time.

[@petruskas]

Such a great video!

[@ThisWayfaringLife]

Stunning! Great job!

[@codydraa9747]

Did this back in September 2017 but vice/versa from Devils Postpile to Yosemite Valley. The snow would have made a huge difference. Glad I didnt have that, but kudos to you guys!

[@shelly7405]

amazing :) Beautiful shots

[@52daytripper]

beautiful nature, and great vid

[@aaronknutson3845]

Just subscribed. Great video all around very well done. Keep it up

[@northtexashiker]

another great video!

[@PerfDayToday]

Jimmy, been a while since I’ve viewed your videos, last one you camped on a peak near palm springs? Great summary of this trip. GTK one can get permits for shorter segments.

[@HikingNerd]

Welcome back!

[@vcents8960]

@Hiking Nerd thanks for sharing your video lots of info. I’ll be doing the opposite hike in mid July (mammoth to Yosemite valley) now I’m debating if I should just postpone and reschedule for August.

[@thomasclark6268]

Great video and images. It brings back fond memories of 2014 and 2016, but much more snow. If you plan to do the next section from Mammoth, check out Moderne Hostel/Holiday Haus in Mammoth for a staging place.

[@MariSurina]

Wow, I've been there last year, in the begging of July. Looks like it's the different place! So much snow! Are there a lot of people on the trail?

[@HikingNerd]

Not so many right now due to the snow ;)

[@kevnmtns4773]

Awesome vid! Just wondering... If you ended at Red's, why didn't you just go over Mammoth Pass trail (by McCloud lake and ends at Horseshoe Lake) then take the shuttle down? 4 mile hike rather than 9 mile road trek to MM main Lodge?

[@jodymcgowan1170]

Looked nothing like the JMT I did last September, Ha! What was that cool thermometer that you had? Thanks for the beautiful video and story.

[@HikingNerd]

Jody McGowan Haha I’ll bet. It’s my multi sport watch, a Garmin scenic 3

[@chrisgunter5184]

love this video!!!!!

[@romenhiking8623]

I have been enjoying your channel. Keep up the great videos. I have some questions. I have a permit to hike the JMT starting June 21, 2021. How do you think that will compare to when you hiked in 2019. If I recall, 2019 was a really high snow year?

[@chuckwhittington975]

Hi what did you you to video the John Muir hikr?

[@heliscat]

Looks like an epic little trip! I'm jealous! Was the permit hard to get? Thanks for sharing!!

[@LukesHomeTube]

Really enjoyed watching your JMT hike! Looks like a scary time of year to do it. So glad you made it out ok! I might have missed it, but how long did the hike take in all?

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks Luke! We had an exciting 5 days on trail.

[@gokucrazy22]

What are your thoughts on the Flex Capacitor? I've been thinking about getting it, but I wasn't fully sold on it.

[@HikingNerd]

Check out my channel, I have a full review there

[@romanaleksandrenko8620]

@Hiking Nerd, great video and thanks for the gear file. 1. Was it easy to use the fire kit? (do you have to have a separate permit?) 2. How did you learn how to use a compass and navigate without trail marks ? 3. Is there anything you'd change with your gear list? 4. Would you expect the landscape change by mid July? Thanks!

[@HikingNerd]

1. Sorry what do you mean by fire kit? You should have a California campfire permit which you can get for free online. 2. There are some good books and videos on compass usage. If you can read a topographic map, you can choose landmarks to help you navigate at a macro level - e.g. if you can see that the trail goes through a saddle or goes up a gully, then you know where you ultimately need to get to so you don't have to follow the trail to a T 3. I'd say my gear list is pretty refined. It's basically the same as the gear I took in August 2017 with a few subtle changes. It wasn't as cold as I was expecting/prepared for though, so of course in hindsight I could've shaved a few ounces with lighter clothing. 4. I would expect some small changes but would still expect lots of lingering snow. In parts where the trail was buried under a thin layer of snow, it may be visible now and easier to follow. I saw a picture of Sunrise High Sierra Camp about a week after we went through there and the snow looked to be a foot lower (as measured by the trail sign).

[@romanaleksandrenko8620]

@@HikingNerd 1. I meant "Light My Fire Scout 2.0 firesteel ". This video is super helpful because it gives hope to my first SOBO adventure this year. Before that, you hear people turn around and take a detour at 1000 island lake.

[@HikingNerd]

@@romanaleksandrenko8620 It sounds like most people still go on the PCT to bypass Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake since it's much easier traveling that way. I think it's nice to have the option - those who do Thousand Island and Garnet are definitely rewarded with some pretty spectacular views.

[@bobbyboombeck]

Starting my JMT hike August 13th. Can't wait. Going NOBO. Question: you guys had fires. Is that allowed?

[@HikingNerd]

The rangers will inform you of the exact regulations for campfires during permit issuance. Where we were, campfires were allowed below 9,700'.

[@jamesburwash5635]

Thanks for sharing another adventure, I am thinking of purchasing some new poles, what do you recommend? Sorry found them on your packing list, what kind of video editing software do you use? Thanks

[@HikingNerd]

Lots of pole options available so you can look for your sweet spot in terms of weight, price, and features. I don’t think the poles I use are suitable for everyone. I edit my videos with Final Cut Pro.

[@MarkFugel]

beautiful video...thank you! Can you tell me the application process for getting a permit? Any info you can provide is appreciated! Thanks again.

[@HikingNerd]

It's better to get it from the source. www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/climbing.htm

[@dansynth8408]

no rental car...so did you shuttle to mammoth-yosemite airport? never heard of that airport. good to know.

[@HikingNerd]

Yep we took the hotel shuttle to the airport

[@steveanderson6610]

Hiking Nerd so, you took a shuttle to the mammoth airport and got a flight out of Mammoth back to an airport near your home?

[@HikingNerd]

That’s right. Surprisingly cheap for a last minute flight but I also wasn’t going far (in state).

[@franksom8937]

What brand is your hat and face mask? Thanks!

[@HikingNerd]

You can find the product linked in the video description

[@christinesandoval5000]

How close we can get to half dome without the permit?

[@wannabetowasabe]

I'm wondering why you did this hike so early in the season. I'm retired from the U.S. Forest Service and have lived in Mono County nearly 40 years, with the first 9 in Bridgeport (55 miles north of Mammoth) and the remainder in Mammoth. I observed, following heavy snow years, people battling to do hikes in June, when the conditions are not very good. Then, once the snow melts, they battle soggy meadows and a few million mosquitos (per cubic feet of air). In any year and especially following a big winter, the hiking in September and October is fantastic, yet you see very few people in the backcountry. I generally won't hike more than a day's hike from the trailhead after October 15th, based on 40 years of experience here, but winters are getting shorter so November 1st might be a better date for such caution. In 1983, the 2nd heaviest winter on record, people were going through the worst experiences in the backcountry in June and through about 3 weeks of July. I remember one Saturday around the 1st of October I was on patrol and driving into the Leavitt Meadows trailhead, finding one car parked there. This trailhead is located on the east side of State Highway 108 north of Bridgeport. After dealing with visitors going through such difficulties in June and July, I exited my truck and just started laughing. The best hiking conditions of 1983 and only one car at the trailhead!

[@HikingNerd]

Simple answer actually: my friend Sam got a permit for the early season and I thought it would be a nice change of scenery compared to a late-summer hike.

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@HikingNerd OK, that makes sense. You should try a fall hike to see the color change. It starts to peak around September 15th at 10,000 ft and then progresses in time as you visit lower elevations. The overall peak occurs about October 15th, give or take a couple of days. On this date there are higher elevations that have already peaked and lower elevations that aren't very far along. You should consider coming at that time of the year. Visitation for fall colors is increasing, but it's nothing like the hustle and bustle of June, July and August. Thanks so much for this video. It gives me some idea of what the area looked like in late June. I used to be completely in touch with all the conditions as I was on the ground 60-70% of work hours year round. Now, at nearly 70 years old, my knees have deteriorated, I broke a lower leg badly, broke a vertebra in the same accident and can no longer even day hike. I hike vicariously watching some great videos, like yours, on KZbin.

[@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures]

Awesome video! Which GoPro were you using? The footage was perfect.

[@HikingNerd]

Thanks! I used the Hero 6 Black and iPhone X.

[@missingcod]

@@HikingNerd Very nice footage. Did you use a gimbal?

[@HikingNerd]

@@missingcod Thanks. I almost never take my gimbal with me on trips because they negatively affect my hiking experience.

[@drummindreams]

What is the brand of your hat/face mask? If possible can you please link the item?

[@HikingNerd]

It's in the video description :)

[@phillipneal8194]

How do you sterilize your water ?

[@HikingNerd]

Depends, really. Pros and cons of each water treatment method. On this trip I used chlorine dioxide and occasionally drank untreated water if I thought it would be low risk

[@ruskinyruskiny1611]

needs a lot more country shots and a lot less selfies

[@XBOXNationTVHD]

John Muir Trail 2020,

[@christinesandoval5000]

Do we need to get a permit to be able to hike the half dome?

[@HikingNerd]

Yep

[@joannalh9491]

Did you carry ices axes for the passes?

[@HikingNerd]

I felt it was the right decision for me not to have my ice axe for the three passes that we did on this trip. We chose to hit the steeper slopes in the morning after they have softened a little bit but before becoming too slushy. I also picked routes with better runouts and fewer hazards in the event of a slip. I don't necessarily recommend that everyone follow my approach - I have some snow travel experience that makes me feel a bit more confident in this terrain.

[@BillVee86]

How did your feet handle the wet and cold temperatures.

[@HikingNerd]

My feet never got cold except towards the end of the day in camp if they were wet and I stopped moving. I've never been bothered by wet feet - they get a little dry but I will put some lotion on them before bed. Also, I think getting cold feet while mountaineering gives me some perspective (this isn't as bad).

[@JohnLaddSF]

If you didn't pre-register for the 2019 JMT survey you can take it at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019JMT If you did register, you should get an email from [e-mail] soon with a personalized link (the personalized link is a little easier to use, though both ways work)

[@rayitaa89]

are you on shoes or boot? D= i dont know if i should bring my trail runners or boots ,, with all that snow im scared

[@HikingNerd]

I'm wearing trail running shoes. I have a fair amount of experience on snow so I optimized for the few snow-free trail miles and didn't think I gave up much. It's that or mountaineering boots which would be a bit overkill. It would've been nice to have a lightweight pair of waterproof boots though.

[@rayitaa89]

Don't you get your socks all wet all the time because of the snow? ? How often do you change to dry socks? Several times a day?

[@HikingNerd]

Socks will stay wet or partially wet for the entire day. Then I change them out either at camp or right before bed. Thin socks work well to dry out quickly close to your skin, even if the rest of the shoe is damp. Alternatively, you could wear waterproof shoes or boots and make sure to avoid stepping into deeper water.

[@Jerrymc1975]

Hiking Nerd buy waterproof socks! They work wonders

[@professorsogol5824]

Fewer faces, more open spaces; less talking, more walking.

[@lhicks1354]

Your videos are great but please please please, get different music.