Overheard a ranger in Yosemite say the JMT is 'overrun' and to try the Sierra High Route instead. | Backpacking Routes

Quinn Butler · 2026-03-12T04:10:05.677036+00:00

He was telling a group that the John Muir Trail has gotten so crowded it's losing its wilderness feel, and that the Sierra High Route offers a better, more challenging experience with way fewer people. It got me thinking about whether we should be steering folks away from classic routes to protect them, or if that just ruins the fun of sharing a known trail. What's your take on promoting lesser-known alternatives versus the famous ones?

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Overheard a ranger in Yosemite say the JMT is 'overrun' and to try the Sierra High Route instead. | Backpacking Routes - The Design Community Hub