Cross Donohue Pass out of Yosemite, camp at Thousand Island Lake with Banner Peak overhead, finish at Red's Meadow with a burger.
The most popular JMT section hike, and arguably the most scenically dense. Cross Donohue Pass out of Yosemite, descend into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, and camp at Thousand Island Lake with Banner Peak reflected in the water. Finish at Devil's Postpile with its remarkable volcanic columns. Three days, three completely different landscapes, and a perfect taste of the JMT.
Start: Tuolumne Meadows (8,592ft)
End: Red's Meadow / Devil's Postpile (7,687ft)
Water: Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, multiple creek crossings
Follow the JMT south through Lyell Canyon along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, a wide, glacier-carved valley through subalpine forest of white pine, hemlock, and lodgepole. Gentle, mostly flat walking past the Evelyn Lakes trail junction. Camp along Lyell Fork before the climb to Donohue Pass begins in earnest tomorrow.
Water: Donohue Pass snowmelt, Thousand Island Lake, Ruby Lake, Emerald Lake, Garnet Lake
Climb out of Lyell Canyon to Donohue Pass (11,060ft), the boundary between Yosemite and the Ansel Adams Wilderness and the high point of this section. Descend past Island Pass (10,220ft) into the land of lakes: Thousand Island, Ruby, Emerald, and Garnet, with Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter looming over all of them. Camp near Garnet Lake; water is reliable here, so fill up, since some stretches beyond can run dry late in the season.
Water: Shadow Creek, Middle Fork San Joaquin River
Continue past Shadow Lake and Shadow Creek (camping at Shadow Lake is currently restricted for forest restoration, do not plan on it as a camp option), then climb a set of switchbacks before a long, dusty descent of about 2,500ft to Red's Meadow. Take the side trip to Devil's Postpile National Monument for a look at the columnar basalt formations. Red's Meadow Resort has showers, meals, and a store at the end.
Extend to include Ediza Lake (side trip from Shadow Creek junction); Mammoth Mountain gondola ride; Mammoth Lakes hot springs; Lyell Canyon as standalone overnight (easy JMT intro)
SHUTTLE: The Reds Meadow shuttle is mandatory when in service (2026 season: July 2 - Sept 20, weekend-only from mid-June through June 28). Day pass $15 adult / $7 child, multi-day and season passes available. You can avoid it only by driving in before 7am or out after 7pm. YARTS connects Mammoth Lakes to Tuolumne Meadows (about $16 one-way adult, reduced fares available, reservations recommended for peak season but walk-ons welcome as space allows), running July 1 - Sept 30, 2026. Typical plan: leave a car at Mammoth Mountain, take YARTS up to Tuolumne Meadows to start, hike out to Red's Meadow, then take the Reds Meadow shuttle back to your car. JMT/Donohue Pass permits are very competitive, a separate quota from regular Yosemite wilderness permits. Bear canister required in both Yosemite and Ansel Adams Wilderness. No campfires above 9,600ft in Yosemite or 10,000ft in Ansel Adams Wilderness. Camping is currently restricted at Shadow Lake for forest restoration. Red's Meadow Resort has showers, meals, and resupply.
You must be signed in to download. GPX downloads are tracked to measure how often routes are used.