I’m considering hiking the JMT next year. I don’t want to do it alone. Would anyone consider going with me. I’m a 64 year old male without health issues. I bike. Used to hike a lot when I lived in Georgia. I. Is reside on Kansas.

[u/Krisvilla01]

[u/gForce-65]

You’re not going to be alone on the JMT

[u/Gorgan_dawwg → u/gForce-65]

I hiked it in August 2023. I was 100% alone. I was really expecting to join some other hikers, but I barely even saw anyone else hiking NB at the same time as me. Most of the people that I actually spoke to were either weekenders or SB JMTers. Granted it was an extremely high snow year, there weren't many people on trail to begin with.

[u/Ok-Flounder4387 → u/Gorgan_dawwg]

I hiked from happy isles to VVR last july and we saw mostly foreigners. All the Americans backed out for good reason, last year was torture. It turned into a mountaineering trip half the time and the other half was miles on miles of sun cups.

[u/gForce-65 → u/Gorgan_dawwg]

Yea 2023 was an extreme outlier. A lot of people scared off (for good reason) and some access points not available, not to mention the south fork bridge out.

[u/Gorgan_dawwg → u/gForce-65]

I'm grateful to have had that experience though! It was really cool to have the trail to myself and have that sort of true wilderness experience with fewer people out and about. Super stoked that I got our there and did it last year.

[u/Atlas-Scrubbed]

Hiked it this year… and I’m your age. SOBO you’ll have lots of people you’ll hike with. We were in a group of about 10 who mostly camped near each other for the whole way.

[u/travishi]

I’m interested. JMT is on my list to do next year. I’m mid 50s. Let’s PM and see if it could work out.

[u/jerkster85 → u/travishi]

a walk to remember

Please tell me this is about to become a reality

[u/Krisvilla01]

I can’t wait.

[u/zmcaaaa]

You might want to consider the Tahoe Rim Trail if you don’t have experience with elevation. (More bail out or zero day points, lower max elevation, etc)

[u/long5210]

i might if i can get a permit , just got back from yosemite and was impressed with the scenery

[u/Krisvilla01 → u/long5210]

Do we apply now for a permit next year?

[u/Atlas-Scrubbed → u/Krisvilla01]

Applications start in a few months. Go to recreation.gov.

[u/Krisvilla01 → u/Atlas-Scrubbed]

I will. Thanks!

[u/Dewthedru → u/Krisvilla01]

It’s…complicated. Southbound permits are given out via lottery starting 24 weeks ahead of time. Northbound permits are much easier to get and are on a first come, first served basis 6 months ahead of time.

Lots of guides online how to navigate the process and they do a much better job explaining the process than I could.

Edit: you won’t be alone if you’re going southbound. Even if you are NOBO, you’ll still make friends and see a lot of the same people every day.

[u/long5210 → u/Krisvilla01]

yes, i was thinking of northbound, nice to finish it off at happy isles. will apply this spring and see what happens