A Mini Thru-Hike of the JMT: 36 Miles from Tuolumne to Reds Meadow

After thru-hiking the John Muir Trail in July, I knew I had to go back. I returned for a quick 3-day, 36-mile mini thru-hike from Tuolumne Meadows to Reds Meadow.

This stretch contains some of the most iconic landscapes in the Sierra. It’s an incredible trip. Here’s how to do it.

When I started backpacking, I was never a huge fan of out-and-back trails. I hated to feel like I was backtracking. Loops alleviate some of that feeling, but it limits your options. Thru-hiking eliminates that feeling completely for me. You're always moving forward, seeing something new, never going back.

The Sierras are so amazing because of the infrastructure and logistics that support hikers. This 36-mile of the JMT is so amazing because it's totally viable as a mini thru-hike without having to commit to the entire 200+ mile trail. You can rely entirely on public transit rather than on hitches too.

The Permit

You need a Donohue Pass-eligible permit to exit Yosemite. We started at the Lyell Canyon trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows.

These permits can be competitive, but they are not impossible to get. Check for cancellations frequently on the Yosemite permit website. Or, wake up early to book one exactly seven days before your start date. Persistence pays off.

Transportation Logistics

The transportation for this section is dialed in, making the logistics simple. You can rely entirely on public transit with YARTS and ESTA. No hitching required here.

I parked my car at the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. From there, we took the YARTS bus to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. It’s a short walk to the trailhead from the bus stop.

At the end of the hike, we exited at Reds Meadow. The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) shuttle runs from Reds Meadow back to the Mammoth Main Lodge. It’s a seamless loop. The infrastructure to support hikers here is impressive.

We made a mistake of purchasing our tickets for the Reds Meadow ESTA shuttle online. You have to pick the tickets up in person in Mammoth. Luckily, we brought cash that we paid directly to the shuttle driver. It's $15 per person. The driver does not carry change.

There's also an opportunity to bail slightly early at Agnew Meadows (Shuttle Stop 1) if you want to make it more of a 30-mile hike instead of 36 miles. The Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile Shuttle is free for visitors between Stop 1 (Agnew Meadows) and Stop 10 (Reds Meadow). More info from NPS here.

The Hike & Conditions

We started in early August, and the conditions were perfect. Mosquitoes were nearly non-existent, a welcome change from my bug-filled July thru-hike.

There was no snow on the section of trail. The water sources were plentiful but certainly not raging like they were a month ago. On the bright side, the water is much warmer and tolerable to swim in.

Day 1: Flat hike out of Tuolumne Meadows

The first day is a gentle, flat walk through Lyell Canyon. There's about a 500 foot elevation gain for the first 9 miles of trail.

The trail follows the meandering Lyell Fork river through vast meadows. It’s a classic High Sierra scene.

We made camp just below the main climb to Donohue Pass, easing into the altitude. There's way more campsites (and better ones) than the ones on FarOut. It takes a bit of searching but worth it.

Day 2: Up and over Donohue Pass

Day two brings you over Donohue Pass and into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. After crossing Island Pass, I aimed for Thousand Island Lake. The views of Banner Peak are stunning, but the main lake was exposed and windy. We found a perfect, sheltered campsite at a smaller, unnamed lake nearby that was perfectly calm.

A quick note: Garnet Lake, which you pass on day three, looks very similar to Thousand Island Lake. It also has many islands and is far less crowded. It's a great alternative for camping or a lunch break. Make sure to read the posted signs for legal campsites.

Day 3: Descent to Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile National Monument

The final day is mostly downhill. You descend past the stunning Garnet and Shadow Lakes before dropping into the forest toward Reds Meadow.

The trail is well-maintained and there's a beautiful view of the Devils Postpile on your left. You can get some burgers and milkshakes at Reds Meadow or wait until you get back into Mammoth Lakes for a wider variety.

Reds Meadow is a convenient resupply location for both JMT and PCT hikers.

For a three-day trip, it's hard to beat the scenic payoff of this JMT section. The logistics are surprisingly simple, and the views are unforgettable.