Backpacked the John Muir Trail

From Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney—the highest point in the lower 48. What a ride. 🏔️🌲✨ Last year, I stood on Whitney and thought: one day, the whole JMT. September came, and so did my shot. I went all in. 💥 🎟️ The Permit Saga: 20 tries for Happy Isles → Donohue Pass = 20 fails. Then… a miracle: Lyell Canyon openings in September. Snagged one. Packed up. No hesitation. 🎒 Prep Game Strong: Full gear. 30lb pack. Resupplies shipped ahead (Reds Meadow, VVR, MTR, South Lake, Onion Valley). Trained like it was a marathon: running, swimming, stair-climbing with weights. Altitude? Got my Diamox ready. ⛰️ Trail Life: Averaged 12 miles/day, 2,000 ft up, every day. Planned every campsite with AllTrails + custom Garmin maps. GPS on phone + watch = no room for “oops.” 🏞️ Still in awe: Alpine lakes so clear they reflect the sky. Jagged granite peaks. Meadows humming with wildflowers and life. Honestly? Yosemite Valley felt like a warm-up. JMT is the real feast. 🌌 What it taught me: On trail, it’s just you, the mountains, and strangers who feel like old friends. You talk about where you came from, where you're headed, where the next water or warm meal is. Then suddenly—back in the "real" world. 3 weeks on foot → 3 hours by car. Civilization hits fast: hot showers, fried chicken, cold Coke. JMT reminded me: we chase wild dreams, but we live among systems. Both are part of the journey. 🫶 Already dreaming of the next one. 🌊⛺🌠 #Hiking #Outdoors #JohnMuirTrail #JMTThruHike #BackpackTheSierras