John Muir Trail beat the Pacific Crest Trail for my first thru-hike last summer

After doing 80 miles on the JMT and then 40 on the PCT near Tuolumne, the JMT's consistent water sources and well-marked trail made it far less stressful for a beginner, has anyone else found one route more manageable than another for your first long trip?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_patricia1mo ago

Honestly, "less stressful for a beginner" is kind of funny to me, because 120 miles total is basically a long weekend for most people. You barely dipped your toe into either trail, so calling one more manageable is like saying a puddle is easier to swim in than a lake. Maybe just go hike 500 miles on one of them and then come back with a real comparison.

lindaowens1mo ago

Oh wow, that other commenter really went off on the mileage thing... funny how people gatekeep hiking like it's some kind of competition. I remember my first "big" trip was just 50 miles on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah, and I was so proud of myself until I met this guy at a shelter who'd just done 2,000 miles. He told me about how he lost his favorite spoon somewhere in Pennsylvania and spent three days eating with a tent stake instead. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not but it made me feel better about my little walk.