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Ep 057. John Muir Trail Day 23 (Trail Series). Granite Views, Thorny Trails, and a Full-Circle Moments
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Welcome to the John Muir Trail Podcast Series - I'm taking a little summer break from the podcast while I head off on some new adventures (and guide some epic client trips too!). But I didn’t want to leave you hanging—so I’m sharing something special: a never-before-released Trail Series from our John Muir Trail thru-hike.
Today was our final full day on trail—and the emotion is starting to hit. We hiked from Cathedral Lake to Little Yosemite Valley, a mostly downhill journey filled with sweeping granite views, quiet reflection, and a bit of unexpected bushwhacking.
We conserved water across a long stretch with no flowing creeks, battled through a burnt-out section below Clouds Rest, and finally rolled into Little Yosemite Valley—just five miles from our finish line.
For Allison, this campground marks a full-circle moment: it was the site of her very first backpacking trip. And now, many years later, she’s back—stronger, more experienced, and leading a very different outdoor life.
In this episode:
- Granite domes, sweeping views, and classic Yosemite terrain
- Conserving water and hiking through dry, exposed miles
- Surprise trail conditions in a fire zone (thorny bushwhacking!)
- Camp nostalgia and the memory of Allison’s first ever backpacking trip
- Astrophotography reflections from Cathedral Lake
- Smoke scare near Tuolumne Meadows
- Prepping for the final 5 miles and savoring one last night off-grid
🎧 Join us as we reflect on growth, grit, and the beauty of returning to where it all started.
JMT Resources on the Blog:
- The Stress-Free Guide to John Muir Trail Permits
- The Ultimate John Muir Trail Planning Guide
- 15 Reasons I’m Excited to Hike the John Muir Trail
Where to learn more about Allison:
🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.
🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.
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