Читать книгу The John Muir Trail. Through the Californian Sierra Nevada онлайн

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In honour and recognition of the life’s work of America’s best-known conservationist and father of the national parks a large tract of land in California has been designated the John Muir Wilderness.

Located in the Inyo and Sierra national forests, the 581,000-acre John Muir Wilderness is the largest wilderness area in California. Some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on earth is to be seen there, and it is perhaps not surprising that it is the most visited wilderness in the state of California. This unspoilt backcountry is characterised by mile after mile of high snow-capped mountain ranges, countless sparkling alpine lakes, tarns, waterfalls, rivers and streams flowing with crystal-clear pure waters, and vast stretches of native forest. This is all high country, with elevation ranging between 4000 and 14,000ft.

Both the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail pass through this wilderness. The JMT first enters the John Muir Wilderness at Red Cones on Day 7 of the trek, leaving on Day 12 when Kings Canyon National Park is entered, soon after leaving Muir Trail Ranch. The very last stages of the hike, Days 20 and 21, from Trail Crest down to Whitney Portal, also cross the John Muir Wilderness.