Unfortunately, no. There is no way to get a “rain check” for a permit from year to year. He might try talking to the ranger in Yosemite and see if they will offer any preference for his permit for next year, but they don’t have any official policy or even a way of doing this automatically.

Marnie, no permits are required for day hikes to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Terry: The odds are long. Permit applications for the JMT are up significantly, and Yosemite recently changed the rules to throttle the number of thru-hikers exiting over Donohue Pass (ostensibly JMT hikers). That shouldn’t discourage you from trying, but you might want to consider a Plan B.

I’m looking at an option that goes over Fernandez Pass into Ansel Adams Wilderness (not impacted by the Donohue quota limits). You could then cut across and rejoin the JMT at Devil’s Postpile. Almost identical mileage to the “real” JMT. You might consider making that your alternate in case you don’t get one a permit for Happy Isles.

Andrew, the rangers in Yosemite process applications 7 days a week. Keep trying, and good luck!

Do you think I still any possibility to join or do it in this short notice. I have not got the permits too 🙁
Please help me with information to get started. Thank you

Thanks for the kinds works, Jeff C.! If you have questions about the JMT, be sure to check out our forums.

Kristen, it really depends on the snow conditions. Even in late July, you would normally hit snow on many of the passes. Of course, this year could be an exception. Someone recently hiked to Forester Pass last month and there were only 8″ of snow — VERY low snow for this time of year.

I would say it depends on what happens between now and June, but watch the snow levels. The snow slows down travel and can make route-finding skills much more important (no trail to follow).

Hey Andrea! I’m from Southern California, and for the most part don’t get snow except when I head up into the mountains.

You will encounter snow, but you won’t need to camp on it. Mainly the impact will be more snow on the passes and higher water in the creek crossings. It will still get nice and warm during the day, and downright chilly (freezing, even) at night, so you’ll need to have appropriate layers. Nothing additional due to the snow though.

The only thing I would see as essential would be trekking poles, but then I’d recommend those anyway. I used them on my last JMT trek most (but not all) days. They saved my knees on some of the giant steps and gave me some insurance on creek crossing or in snow.

Thanks, Lily! I’ve been enjoying the on-trail and off-trail camaraderie of the Hiking OC group. I’m so glad you got it started.

If anyone in the group is interested in joining us a few days earlier, perhaps hiking from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne, I have room for one more on my permit!

Hey Derek, we won’t be starting the JMT until July 27th, and won’t be near Whitney until 20 days later. Here’s the complete itinerary: https://socalhiker.net//2010/02/itinerary-for-the-john-muir-trail/

We now have both the Tom Harrison JMT map pack and the new Blackwoods Press JMT Atlas. We will probably take both, though I really like the JMT Atlas. Very concise, lightweight (2 oz) and compact. I’ll be posting a more detailed review soon.

Thanks, Hiking Lady! I’m really looking forward to this trip. Having hiked it 30 years ago — almost to the day — I’m excited to see how this experience differs. Aside from the fact that I’m 30 years older, of course.

I also have the tiny version of the Winnett book.

Actual torches may come in handy with bears, though!

I can’t wait to read about your travels. I’ll be hiking towards Whitney early-mid-July, will you be nearby?