[PHOTO DIARY] The John Muir Trail (A 20 Day Backpacking Trip in California)

If this sounds like a crazy persons idea of a good time, you will be surprised that people enter a lottery to get a permit to do this trail.

And if you become convinced after this post that you must do it, Bear Foot Theory does a great job explaining the permit process and planning.

I completed it this Summer and can safely say that it has made a through-hiker of me (aka someone who completes long-distance trails end-to-end within one hiking season).

Check out some out some photos and stories from the trails.

We started in Yosemite. It was here that it set in why I love backpacking: it never feels like you are just waiting for the destination. You don't just show up, take a photo and go home. You are living and breathing each moment, trying your best to take in the whole experience; the whole view from start to finish.

On this day, we looked at the map, said “yup, this must be Patricia lake”, and set up camp, swam, and had the best day ever enjoying the sunshine. We saved a campsite next to us for some friends we had met, but other than that, we were the only people who stayed here. We thought it was weird until we walked probably 20 minutes the next morning to get to the actual Patricia lake. It was much bigger and dark deep blue, but crowded with campers. I think i enjoyed our little “mistake” and should make it more often!

This Sunrise was the highlight of John Muir Trail. We were up at 1:30am to pack our gear. We climbed Mount Whitney and made it to the "shelter" pictured at 5:30 am...WAY too early for sunrise. We spent an hour shivering inside the hut since it had no door! I was happy to have my friend to cuddle and we welcomed the stream of people entering the small space, making it warmer. As light began to peak through, it was so rewarding. We went to check out this sunrise with our sleeping bags wrapped around us and huddled together not being able to think of any conversation but about how cold it was...I'd say that was an actual brain freeze and so worth it!!

Now that I am back, I miss the oatmeal and cold mornings, the power bar breaks with the best conversations; I miss complaining to my friend, Alison, about the extra miles to find the perfect campsite (and then thanking her later). I miss the relief of the backpack coming off after a long, tiring day just as much as putting the backpack on each morning, feeling our bodies getting stronger. Three weeks backpacking through the California Sierra's has forever changed me and I know the experience will be a forever favorite.

I'm doing 30 posts in 30 days (this is post #6) so please follow along!