Stuck between the JMT and the Tahoe Rim Trail for my first solo trip

I spent two months going back and forth between the John Muir Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail for my first solo backpacking trip last summer. Ended up picking the TRT because I didn't have to worry about permits for a full thru-hike and could break it into shorter sections. It took me 11 days total and honestly the views around Desolation Wilderness blew me away. But now I'm wondering if the JMT would have been better for the social aspect since I barely saw anyone on some stretches of the TRT. Has anyone else done both and which one felt more manageable for a first timer?

2 comments

2 Comments

charlies371d ago

the constant flow of hikers means you never really feel alone if something goes wrong" - see, that's exactly why I'd argue the TRT was the better pick for a first solo trip. Being forced to rely on yourself from the start is how you actually build confidence, you know? Like sure, having a safety net feels nice, but it can also make you lazy about learning navigation or figuring out gear issues on your own. I almost got lost twice on the TRT (once near Star Lake, totally misread the map) and figuring it out myself taught me way more than if I'd just followed someone's headlamp down the trail. Plus the solitude is addictive once you get past the initial creepiness of being alone at night - it's like a mental reset button you don't get with a hundred people camped fifty feet away. And let's be real, the JMT permit system is a nightmare for spontaneity, the TRT lets you just show up and hike, which is huge when you're still figuring out your gear and pace.

wader711d ago

The JMT would have been the smarter pick for a first solo trip since the constant flow of hikers means you never really feel alone if something goes wrong. The TRT's solitude is nice but when you're starting out, having people around to help with navigation questions or gear issues is way more valuable than empty trails. A buddy of mine did the JMT first with zero prior backpacking experience and said having other hikers to follow made route finding a breeze, did you run into any trouble figuring out sections by yourself?