John Muir Trail: Happy Isles to Donohue Pass

The John Muir Trail from Happy Isles to Donohue Pass is a 35.4-mile, one-way backpack across Yosemite, from the valley floor to the park’s southern boundary. Allow about 24 hours of trail time, split across several days; this is not a day hike, and the route does not return you to your car. The separate Happy Isles–Tuolumne Meadows walk is 22 miles and ends in Tuolumne. This route continues through Lyell Canyon to Donohue Pass, where the JMT carries on south toward Mount Whitney.

At Happy Isles, follow the John Muir Trail rather than taking the steeper Mist Trail. The JMT climbs on a longer, lower-angle approach near steep granite cliffs and past Vernal and Nevada Falls toward Little Yosemite Valley. It is still a sustained climb, but avoids the Mist Trail’s direct, steep ascent. Beyond Little Yosemite Valley, the route passes below Half Dome’s south face, crosses Sunrise Meadow and goes beside Cathedral Peak before dropping into Tuolumne Meadows. The waterfall-and-granite views make a strong first stretch; farther along, Cathedral Peak gives the high country its landmark.

Tuolumne Meadows is a useful pause and resupply point, with food and camping supplies available in the developed area. From there the JMT heads into Lyell Canyon, where it shares the corridor with the Pacific Crest Trail through open, grassy fields, with views toward Kuna Crest and Mount Lyell. This is the more gradual stretch before the final climb. The route adds roughly 13 miles beyond the 22-mile Happy Isles–Tuolumne hike, then climbs to the pass; do not use the shorter trip’s mileage for this through-route.

Donohue Pass sits at 11,056 feet on Yosemite’s southern border. The route starts around 4,050 feet and ends about 7,000 feet higher, so the sustained elevation change is a serious part of the effort even though the line has shorter climbs and descents along the way. The pass is a backcountry exit, not a road or pickup point. Through-hikers continue south; anyone treating this as a standalone itinerary needs a separate plan to get out beyond the pass.

An overnight wilderness permit is required year-round. To start this JMT route at Happy Isles and exit over Donohue, use the Donohue-eligible “Happy Isles to Past LYV” permit category. Donohue exits are limited to 45 people per day: 15 from this Happy Isles entry and 30 from Lyell Canyon. For the Happy Isles JMT permit, the first night cannot be in Little Yosemite Valley, so check the exact permit and camping conditions before choosing your itinerary. Food and camping supplies are available in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, but lockers are limited to Little Yosemite Valley, High Sierra Camps and the Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers’ Campground. Carry an approved bear-resistant canister throughout Yosemite; hanging food is not allowed. Pets are prohibited on the trail and in wilderness.