John Muir Trail Backpacking Adventure – Part 2 | Muir Pass to Bishop Pass

Part 2 of our 2026 John Muir Trail backpacking adventure begins as we wake up at Sapphire Lake and start the climb toward one of the highlights of the trip: Muir Pass. Cathy, Gary, and I continue through some spectacular sections of the Sierra Nevada, including Muir Pass and LeConte Canyon, before eventually leaving the John Muir Trail and beginning our long climb toward Bishop Pass. Our exit over Bishop Pass took two days. On our second-to-last day, we climbed nearly all the way to the pass and camped beside a lake about half a mile below it. The following morning, September 3, we climbed the final section to Bishop Pass and then made the long descent to South Lake and the trailhead parking lot. It was the end of an incredible nine-day journey. The complete trip: August 26 – September 3, 2026 52 miles (6-8 miles per day) 18,662 feet of total elevation gain Temps: 50-75 degrees daytime, 27-35 degrees overnights. Starting pack weights, including nine days of food: Dave – 48 lbs Kathy – 32 lbs Gary – 62 lbs This video is made from the photos and video we actually shot along the way—a day-by-day look at the scenery, climbs, campsites, lakes, passes and experience of backpacking through the Sierra. Part 3 includes the bonus material: trailside interviews with the three of us talking about the trip—and, for reasons that probably seemed reasonable at the time, a few TikTok dances.