This is only for John Muir Trail Hikers (exiting Yosemite over Donohue Pass). Over the last several years, Yosemite National Park has noted a significant increase in demand for permits to hike the John Muir Trail (JMT). From 2011 to 2015, there has been a 100% increase in JMT permits requested. The John Muir Trail (JMT) is an American classic—211 miles that wind through some of the West’s (and the country’s) most beautiful mountain terrain—sequoia forests and granite mountaintops and deep canyons.
If you are flexible on the start date for your trip,. This is only for John Muir Trail Hikers (exiting Yosemite over Donohue Pass).Over the last several years, Yosemite National Park has noted a significant increase in demand for permits to hike the John Muir Trail (JMT).
From 2011 to 2015, there has been a 100% increase in JMT permits requested. The trail’s rising popularity has strained the traditional methods that hikers use to access the JMT. The increased number of JMT hikers has made it difficult for non-JMT hikers to get wilderness permits for other trails within Yosemite National Park. Also during this same time, the NPS has noted an increase in the number of resource related impacts within the Sunrise Creek and Lyell Canyon areas.
Finally, some wilderness campsites along the JMT in Yosemite have seen a sharp increase in overnight users, which negatively impacts the quality of the visitor experience.To protect access for other hikers and preserve the quality of the JMT experience, Yosemite National Park implemented an exit quota in 2015. The exit quota helps the park address access and resource concerns until a comprehensive approach can be developed through the wilderness stewardship planning process. The quota limits the number of hikers exiting the Yosemite Wilderness over Donohue Pass to 45 per day.Wilderness trailhead quotas have not being reduced. The exit quota helps restore traditional wilderness use patterns, balance access for JMT hikers with non-JMT hikers in the Yosemite Wilderness, and reduce physical and social impacts. Additionally, the quota allows Yosemite National Park to collect visitor use and impact data along the JMT. Reservation data as of January 9, 2015 shows an approximate year-to-date increase of 242% as compared to last year for JMT permits and an overall increase in permit requests of approximately 165% How does the park’s wilderness permit system work?Our website has more information about. Doesn’t the park want people to experience Yosemite Wilderness?Yes, the park wants visitors to experience Yosemite Wilderness.
This change will increase the number of people hiking within Yosemite Wilderness. Spaces in the permit system freed up by this exit quota will be available for hikers wishing to stay within or closer to Yosemite. Visitor use will be more evenly distributed throughout the wilderness and provide better access to, and a better experience in, Yosemite.