John Muir Trail Packing List
Posted August 14, 2009
By Kevin
This is my final packing list for the John Muir Trail. I have decided to go without a stove for 3 reasons: 1) I would only be using it for freeze dried dinners and these take up too much space in the canister 2) At the end of a long day, I’d be too lazy to cook, even something so convenient like freeze dried dinners 3) It saves weight.
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Kevin,
I will be attempting the JMT this August and was wondering which sized Bearikade you ended up taking on your trip (your packing list says expedition but on your planning page it says weekender)? I’m most likely going to rent the canister but am not sure what size is best.
Thanks for posting your trip log! Its been fun reading it.
Hi Paul. I made a mistake on my planning page, it should say “Expedition”, which is the one I ended up taking. I was able to fit up to 10 days of food in there. Remember to ask for the JMT through-hike fixed rate for the rental, which last year I believe was $55.
Where did you find dried tooth paste dots? I would like to have that to save space, I am doing the JMT in about 3 weeks.
Hi Matt,
You dry them yourself. Just put small dabs of toothpaste on aluminum paper and let them dry at least 1 week. If you have a food dehydrator, you can also use that too.
Kevin, I am preparing for a backpacking trip, have most all the higher quality ultralight equip. and wondered if your filtration system, other than the tablets was worth having along.
Is it worth it given the added weight, and how often did you come across water sources?
What about any type of repair kit for quick fixes to equipment?
Would you suggest bringing along some kind of multi-strand paracord for multiple uses?
Any additional suggestions would be helpful as well.
Thanks!!
Hi Patric. Purifying tables should be enough for the JMT. Alternatively you can get the liquid version of Aquamira too. A filter is not really necessary.
Water sources were plentiful on the trail except for a few spots. I didn’t find any water (late August) on the stretch from Little Yosemite Valley to Clouds Rest Trail Junction. If you are doing Half Dome, get plenty of water at Little Yosemite Valley. Another one was between Deer Creek and Duck Pass Junction (about 6 miles), south of Reds Meadow.
For the JMT, you really don’t need a cord since your food is stored in a canister. As for repair kits, I only brought some duck tape, but if you use Platypus water containers, you might want to bring some repair patch stickers for them (if you can find them online, I haven’t been able to). If you use an inflatable mattress, you might also want to bring a repair kit for it.
Let me know if you have other questions.