Route: Tuolomne Meadows - Reds Meadow (on the JMT) (CA)

Submitted by Samantha Creath on Sun, 08/30/2020 - 09:28pm
Location
California, US
Distance
35 mi
Vertical Gain
5,345 ft
Description

This route begins at the Tuolumne Meadows trailhead and goes south on the John Muir Trail. The trail is a gradual meandering single track through Lyell Canyon. The first real climb begins around mile 10, which takes you up switchbacks to Donohue Pass. After Donohue, the trail cruises down into the Inyo Wilderness and past a series of crystal blue alpine lakes such as Thousand Island Lake. The end of the segment is the Rainbow Falls Trailhead/Reds Meadow Resort parking lot. This segment of the JMT is very well maintained, the terrain is pretty much all runnable, and the views of Yosemite, the Minarets, and the eastern sierras are stunning. Unfortunately, the distances listed on All Trails, Gaia, and Trail Run Project differ so it appears to be 33-35 miles. All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/john-muir-trail-tuolumne-to-reds-meadow, Trail Run Project: https://www.trailrunproject.com/trail/7016154/jmt-segment-2-tuolomne-meadows-to-devils-postpile

The FKT may be run in either direction.