A Gaysian’s Guide to the John Muir Trail

What to Expect

The John Muir Trail traverses through a land of pristine alpine lakes, lush forests, and high elevation mountain passes. Each day, I was either ascending a mountain pass, descending from its summit, or preparing my body for a steep ascent. The constant ascending and descending pushed my body to its physical limits. The JMT was the most challenging and rewarding hike I’ve done to date. Based on my experience, here are some key things to expect while you’re on trail.

• Even if you venture out by yourself, you will not be alone. The JMT is one of the most popular hiking trails in the world. If you hike during the regular season (June - September), you will have no problem meeting people on trail. You will encounter hikers who are attempting the JMT and the Pacific Crest Trail. You will also encounter hikers who are doing day hikes in the Sierra Nevada and/or segments of the PCT/JMT. For my first attempt, I was on trail for most of September and I encountered other hikers everyday. I met hikers from various states, Japan, Italy, Czech Republic, and even Tasmania!

• If you are looking for more seclusion, I recommend hiking in late-September to mid-October. I returned to the JMT on October 23rd to hike a 60-mile segment that I was unable to complete on my first attempt. During this trip, I hardly encountered other hikers. There was a three day stretch where I only encountered two hikers the entire time! When hiking in the late season, it is important to know that all resupply options along the trail (Red’s Meadow, VVR, etc.) typically close by mid-to-late September, so you will have to be entirely self-sufficient for the duration of your hike.

• The Sierra Nevada wilderness is as off-grid as you can get. There are large sections of the trail with no cell service and absolutely no amenities. It’s just you and Mother Earth. There are some points where you will be so deep in the wilderness that the nearest town will be several strenuous hiking days away. It is important that you are physically and mentally prepared for this journey. The JMT will push you to your limits.

• Be prepared to experience awe-inspiring scenery that will completely blow you away. I began the JMT with high expectations. As an avid hiker who has summited several 14ers in the Eastern Sierra, I have experienced the beauty of the Sierra Nevada several times. Despite this, I was still blown away by the majestic scenery that I saw as I went deeper into the Sierra Nevada wilderness than I ever have before. I was walking through the scenery that I had only previously seen in pictures and magazines and it was an extraordinary experience.

• The JMT will push you to your physical limits. This was the most challenging hike I have done to date. You must be physically prepared for this journey or you will risk serious injury and other consequences. You must also be physically prepared for high altitude as the shortest mountain pass that you will climb is over 10,000 feet high. The highest point on the trail is Mt. Whitney, which is the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet. The JMT is not for beginners and will be one of the most grueling and rewarding hikes you will ever do.

For Members of the LGBTQ Community

I know that for many in the LGBTQ community, personal safety is an important factor when planning outdoor activities. The hiking community is generally very friendly and accepting of others. While on trail, you will mostly have fleeting interactions with other hikers (mostly exchanging greetings and a few words as your paths cross). There are also camping spots that are away from busy campgrounds that provide more privacy and seclusion. Other hikers will usually leave you alone if you don’t engage with them (they’re probably looking for some privacy themselves). For more protection, you can bring pepper spray or other self-defense equipment, and a satellite messenger to call for help in the event of an emergency. Also, it is important to note that you will be hiking in California, one of the most liberal states in the United States, with strong laws against LGBTQ discrimination.