The John Muir Trail: Through the Californian Sierra Nevada (Mountain Walking) (Cicerone Guides)

Well laid out and with information about the JMT. I was interested in more information about this walk, it is difficult to verify the information without doing the walk. This I unlikely to do, but enjoyed reading about it in a factual sense.

Essential reading if you're planning to hike the JMT.

Good guide

They say it has been updated but I am not convinced.By way of example, I quote from the book: "Be sure to take sufficient [camera] film to last the duration of the trip".Really? Has anyone actually used camera film in the last decade and a half. Does anyone actually still own and carry a non-digital camera. Lazy editing and just shows how little effort they seem to take in the updating of the books. Has the JMT even been rewalked by the author since the first edition in 2004?The advice on how to secure a JMT permit is also so hopelessly outdated as to be completely useless.

So you want to hike the John Muir Trail. Which guidebook to get? There are really only two that are up to date, the Wilderness Press edition and this little book from the British outdoor publisher Cicerone. I own both books, but have a slight preference for this one. Printed on glossy paper with sharp full color pictures this should whet your appetite for the trail. But it is also lighter than the Wilderness Press volume which has grown in size and weight over the years. And amazingly enough, this book packs in more as well.As one might expect, the book is geared towards an international visitor to the states, but a lot of the information in it will be useful to those traveling from other locales in the US. Major airports, public transportation (and the lack thereof to and from Yosemite and Whitney Portal, and the issues with mailing supplies are all detailed in this book. The book also suggests a reasonable, and quite doable schedule for your trip and even helps you navigate your way through the almost Byzantine system of camping and hiking permits you need to obtain for the trail. Finally, it includes decent color sketch maps of the route. Readers should know however that the author intends that you use this guide in conjunction with the excellent map set sold by Tom Harrison.The John Muir Trail is one of the classic American hikes. Mile for mile it offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. If I were planning for another trek on the Muir Trail, this would be my guidebook of choice.

Excellant guide! Perfect for planning hiking the JMT.

exellent