Everyone raves about the John Muir Trail, but my trip there changed my whole approach

I did a section of the JMT in California last summer, and honestly, it felt more like a crowded highway than a wilderness escape. I was near Thousand Island Lake and counted over 30 people setting up camp within sight. The constant stream of hikers and the pressure to get a permit spot months ahead took the joy out of it for me. It made me realize I don't need a famous trail to have a great trip. Now I actively look for less-known routes, like the trails in the Trinity Alps. They're just as beautiful and you can actually find some quiet. Has anyone else switched from the big-name routes to smaller local trails?

3 comments

3 Comments

allen.ruby23d ago

Ugh, yes, a hundred percent. I had the same feeling on part of the PCT, it was just a line of people. It totally misses the point. Now I just open a map and look for the blank spaces, the trails with no fancy names. You find the real magic there, not in some crowded corridor.

avery_fox9323d ago

Totally feel that! My buddy tried a famous trail last year and said it felt like waiting in line at a theme park. He bailed after two days and found this random forest service road instead. Said the quiet and the weird little creek he found were way better than any crowded summit.

ryanh771d ago

Something that nobody really talks about is how these crowded trails mess with the local wildlife. When I was on the JMT near Guitar Lake, a marmot had clearly gotten used to people and was aggressively trying to get into packs. It's not just about your peace of mind, the constant human traffic changes animal behavior and messes up their natural fear of people. On smaller trails like the ones in the Cache Creek Wilderness, I saw deer that actually acted like real wild animals. The quiet benefits the land itself, not just your mental state.