JMT Yosemite Gear Checklist
Starting the John Muir Trail from Yosemite means weeks in the high Sierra with resupply stops in between, so this list is about the whole trip, not one day. The park sets three hard rules that shape the pack: an approved bear canister the whole way through Yosemite, no campfires or twig stoves above 9,600 feet, and a permit you must carry. Beyond that, a survey of 459 hikers from the class of 2025 shows what people actually carry: trekking poles and a headlamp almost universally, a satellite messenger for most, and snow gear for very few.
What shapes your gear on the John Muir Trail
- Food storage
- Approved bear canisters are required everywhere in Yosemite, and hanging food is not allowed. Food lockers exist at Little Yosemite Valley, the High Sierra Camps and Tuolumne Meadows. Canisters can be rented at any wilderness permit station.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): John Muir Trail and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
- Fire and cooking
- Campfires are banned above 9,600 feet, and so are twig-burning stoves. In the hiker survey almost every stove carried was a gas canister stove, and 4% of hikers went without a stove for the whole trail.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Halfway Anywhere
- Resupply
- The Yosemite Valley post office (all year) and the Tuolumne Meadows post office (about mid-June to mid-September) hold food boxes sent to General Delivery. One hiker carried about a week of food between stops and left Muir Trail Ranch with 8.5 days of food at 38 pounds.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): John Muir Trail and Post-PhD JMT (personal trip site)
- Weather
- Afternoon storms can come day after day. One hiker met storms almost every afternoon for the first two weeks and stayed below treeline while they passed, and another crossed Muir Pass in a sideways downpour.
- Waste
- In Yosemite Wilderness, bury waste 4 to 6 inches deep in soil and at least 100 feet from water, trails and camp, and pack out all toilet paper. Keep soap out of water, even the biodegradable kind.
What the agency requires on the John Muir Trail
An approved bear canister
Required for all food, trash and scented items everywhere in Yosemite Wilderness, with no exception for long-distance hikers. Hanging food is not permitted.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): John Muir Trail and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
Your wilderness permit
One Yosemite permit covers a continuous JMT hike. It must be with you and shown on request, and it is valid only for the leader, trailhead, dates and group size on it. Leaving the wilderness, including passing through Yosemite Valley, ends it.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): John Muir Trail and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
A gas stove for cooking above 9,600 feet
Campfires and twig stoves are both prohibited above 9,600 feet.
A trowel and a bag for used toilet paper
Waste must be buried 4 to 6 inches deep at least 100 feet from water, trails and camp, and toilet paper must be packed out, never buried or burned.
What hikers carry on the John Muir Trail
Trekking poles
98.4% of surveyed hikers used them, and many shelters on the trail are pitched with poles instead of tent poles. Almost half the class used a shelter that needs poles or stakes to stand.
From Halfway Anywhere
A headlamp
96.6% of surveyed hikers brought one. The survey's author says a phone light is no substitute if you hike at night.
From Halfway Anywhere
A satellite messenger or rescue beacon
85.4% of the class carried one.
From Halfway Anywhere
A squeeze or gravity water filter
96.6% of hikers treated water with a filter rather than chemicals or UV. One hiker's only complaint was slow flow from trapped air, fixed by back-flushing for a few seconds.
From Halfway Anywhere and Bearfoot Theory
An insulated jacket, often with a fleece
94% of the class had an insulated jacket and about half carried a fleece as well. Nights at high camps get cold once the sun drops.
From Halfway Anywhere and SoCal Hiker
A rain jacket, and for many, rain pants
Hikers caught in storms on the passes were glad of full rain gear. One survey respondent warns that Sierra storms may be short but are windy and cold, and the survey's author questions the few who skipped a shell.
From Halfway Anywhere and Bearfoot Theory
Low trail runners with gaiters
75% of surveyed hikers wore low-top shoes and most chose non-waterproof ones. One respondent says gaiters keep the trail's rocks and dust out and cut down on blisters.
From Halfway Anywhere
Long sleeves and zip-off pants for sun and mosquitoes
One hiker wore a light button-front long-sleeve shirt over a tee to block sun and wind, and zipped the pant legs back on when mosquitoes were bad or nights were cold.
From SoCal Hiker
Microspikes and an ice axe only for an early start
Most hikers time their trip after the snow melts. In the 2025 survey only 4% carried traction and three hikers carried an ice axe.
From Halfway Anywhere
15 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on the John Muir Trail
Toiletries you will not use
Hikers ditched soap, face wipes, lotion and shampoo early. One washed with water alone and used baking soda instead of toothpaste.
Gaiters and a pillow, for some
One survey respondent dropped both along the way, while another would not hike without gaiters. Try your setup on a shakedown trip first.
From Halfway Anywhere
Rain pants, for some
One hiker skipped them through near-daily rain and was fine because regular hiking pants dried fast. Another was glad to have them in a storm on Muir Pass. Colder years favor bringing them.
A food you do not like at home
One hiker packed trail mix for every day of a 23-day trip and regretted it, having never liked it at home. Altitude dulls appetite early on, so pack food you want to eat.
Gear questions for the John Muir Trail
Do I need a bear canister on the John Muir Trail?
Yes in Yosemite, where approved canisters are required everywhere and hanging food is not allowed. You can rent one at any Yosemite wilderness permit station.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): John Muir Trail and Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
Can I have a campfire on the John Muir Trail?
In Yosemite, only in existing fire rings below 9,600 feet and when no fire restrictions apply. Above 9,600 feet both campfires and twig stoves are banned, so nearly every hiker carries a gas stove.
From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Halfway Anywhere
Do I need microspikes for the John Muir Trail?
Usually not on a midsummer start. Only 4% of the 2025 class carried traction, because most hikers wait for the snow to melt. An early-season start is different.
From Halfway Anywhere
Where can I mail a resupply box on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite?
To General Delivery at the Yosemite Valley post office, open all year, or the Tuolumne Meadows post office, open about mid-June to mid-September. Mark the box with the date you will pick it up.
Sources
- John Muir Trail · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Wilderness Regulations · Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Agency
- John Muir Trail Gear Guide (2025 Survey) · Halfway Anywhere, Mac · Blog
- John Muir Trail NOBO 2018: Trip Preparation · Post-PhD JMT (personal trip site) · Trip report
- Complete John Muir Trail Gear List · Bearfoot Theory, Kristen Bor · Blog
- Hiking the John Muir Trail: What to Wear · SoCal Hiker, Jeff Hester · Blog