PACIFIC CREST TRAIL & JOHN MUIR TRAIL, KEARSARGE PASS TO BISHOP PASS  HIKE
OVERVIEW

Want to hike the John Muir Trail but don't have time for the whole 200 miles? Hike it in sections! This one of the the best sections of the John Muir Trail, which also shares the famous Pacific Crest Trail, through Sequoia National Park. We hike from Kearsarge Pass up to the Bishop Pass visiting the spectacular Rae Lakes, the Kings River headwaters, Palisades Lakes and Leconte Canyon before exiting up through Dusy Basin and over Bishop Pass. .A remote and beautiful section of the John Muir Trail.

We also supply a campsite and dinner the night before the trip and a private van shuttle to the beginning of the hike.. Your guides will serve up great backcountry cuisine along the way. We take care of all the food and logistics allowing you to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Experience the adventure of hiking along the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trail through California’s High Sierra!

Food, Equipment & Lodging

We provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks prepared by your guide and backcountry chef from the time we meet till we part ways. We like to call our food "backcountry gourmet" which includes vegetables as well as freshly baked goods.

To make your trip easier for you we provide most of the gear you will need at no extra cost. We provide high quality backpacks, sleeping bags and pad, trekking poles, headlamp and eating utensils if needed. We also provide tents, all group cooking gear, first aid kit and water purification for the group. Our guides carry emergency two-way satellite communications devices at all times.

A great way hike the JMT/PCT in style.

This is a strenuous backpacking trip in which everyone carries their own gear and a share of the group gear and supplies.

 

Save 10% On All 2025 Backpacking Trips!
Book from now till Sept 30th & save on your 2025 adventure

Use code 2025SALE at checkout

Balance must be paid in full to receive discount. All normal cancellation policies apply

 
 
 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • Previous recent wilderness backpacking experience sleeping in tents is required on trips of at least 3 nights in length.

  • The ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 12 miles a day with 2000-3000 feet of elevation gain for multiple days in a row. (We hike slow, but steady!)

  • Excellent physical condition required.

The JMT/PCT Keassarge Pass to Bishop Pass trip is a strenuous & remote wilderness trip …you must train accordingly! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

DATES 2025:

August 10-16

COST: 

$2595

Save 10% Through Sept 30th! See above

INCLUDES

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by your guide while in the field

  • Professional local mountain guides certified in emergency wilderness medicine, food handling & Leave No Trace Principles & trained in local natural history.

  • Use of backpacks, sleeping bag and pad, trekking poles and eating utensils if needed ($25 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Private van shuttle from the end of the hike back to the beginning

  • Tents, all group camping gear and permits

Itinerary - Kearsarge Pass to Bishop Pass

Day 1
We meet in the town of Bishop and then shuttle up to a campsite along Bishop Creek. between 4 and 6pm. Exact location TBD. Dinner will be served that night and your guide will conduct a pack check and go over all the gear for the trip.

Day 2
After a hearty breakfast, we take a private shuttle over to our starting point at Onion Valley. begin the day by hiking up and over Kearsarge Pass and drop down to near the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail near in the In Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park. A shorter warm up day.

6.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +2700 / -900

Day 3
Continuing North along the PCT/JMT, we make our way to up over Glen Pass and then descend into the beautiful Rae Lakes basin and then on to Baxter Creek where we make camp for the night

11 miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +1800 / -3200

Day 4
A big day we descend in to the Woods Creek drainage and then hike over Pinchot Pass to camp at Beautiful Lake Marjorie

11.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +3700/ -2100

Day 5
Descending down into there So fork of the Kings River and then up and over Mather Pass to camp at the lovely Palisades Lakes.

11.7 miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +2200 / -2500

Day 6
We descend down into the Middle Fork of the Kings River and into majestic LeConte Canyon before making a short ascent into Lower Dusy Basin.

12.6 miles miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +1700 / -3200

Day 7
The morning is spent hiking over Bishop Pass and down to the trailhead at South Lake where we end our trip.

10.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss ft: +2550 / -2450

Itinerary subject to change