Can we talk about the crowds on the John Muir Trail now

I hiked the JMT in 2021 and saw maybe two dozen people a day, but my buddy just got back and said the Whitney Portal area felt like a line at a concert. He counted over 80 people at Guitar Lake trying to camp. Is this just the new normal for the big name trails?

2 comments

2 Comments

dixon.daniel1mo ago

80 people at Guitar Lake" is insane, that's a full on village not a campsite.

lucas1651mo ago

Imagine trying to find a quiet spot to pitch a tent. That place is supposed to be peaceful, not a crowded mess. Sounds like the whole point of being out there is totally gone.