Stunning campsites are some of my best memories from my hikes. Sleeping under the stars, crawling out of my tent into beautiful wilderness, having dinner and making home in the wildest places… Camps are such a big part of any hike, because they are your only home(s) all the while you are on the trail. Everything you need you carry on your back. You decide where home is going to be.
The John Muir trail is a pristine wilderness trail with no huts or shelters and requires camping all the way. You could technically pitch your tent anywhere, but there are many pristine campsites of flat white sand that simply beg for a tent to be pitched there.
My best camps on the JMT are so far my favourite camps from any hike I’ve ever done – simply because the beauty of the High Sierra is unparalleled. Whether you are dreaming of doing the JMT or reading this post as a trip down memory lane, I hope you will appreciate these extraordinary sites!
thousand island lake, 3000 m
Our first camp on the JMT, in the wonderful company of many other hikers. I took this photo while collecting our bear cannisters at sunrise. Looking out at Banner Peak kick-started our magnificent hike, and we would come to love alpine camps like these the best.
Squaw lake, 3140 m
Our first strategic camp below a pass. Silver Peak crowns the little outcrop beneath Silver Pass. We had the best evening here after a long day of hard hiking. It was also my first time witnessing “alpenglow”, an optical phenomenon occuring at sunrise/sunset that turns mountains on the horizon reddish and glowing. This was the only camp where I experienced altitude sickness, we had hiked too fast up from Tully Hole. Still, wouldn’t have missed this nestled spot for the world.
lower palisade lake, 3240 m
A solitary camp a short downhill from the trail, on the northern shore of the lake. Most hikers stayed at Upper Palisade Lake, but dark clouds rolled in during the afternoon - and I preferred having some trees above us in case of lightening. At this point we were almost too hungry to enjoy the scenery. Nights at this altitude are cold, but we always made an effort to appreciate every camp for its beauty.
Evolution lake, 3315 m
Alright, I admit it. This is probably my favourite camp of all time. I didn’t even to want to blink as I beheld the majestic Evolution crest shooting up towards the twilight sky. The mountains shone with alpenglow, our tent was pitched on a perfect spot of white sand. We met a little deer and watched the blood red sunset dip into the western horizon, bracing ourselves for Muir Pass the next day. Unforgettable.
Guitar lake, 3509 m
Our last - and highest camp - on the JMT. By this point we were thoroughly spoiled with mind-blowing scenery, but Guitar Lake still held so much promise. After hiking for three weeks we could finally look up at Mount Whitney. With our entire trail family beside us, we slept (briefly) under the starry skies for one last time. Our tent is seen here on a solid piece of prime Sierra Nevada real estate, hand-picked from tough competitors in the neighbourhood. A worthy end to a great adventure.