Slim odds these days in getting a JMT wilderness permit reservation

… Due to very high demand, over 97% of all John Muir Trail through-hike permit applications are denied. (The reservation office receives hundreds of JMT requests each day.)

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm

That's an amazing number. On the other hand, the JMT has become a densely packed throughway....we're always aware when we get close to it, as people appear out of nowhere....

Even more reason to avoid the congestion

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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Getting close to the JMT gives the same feeling of getting near the 405/10 during rush hour :/ We try to stay as far away from those areas.
But for those who really want to do the JMT, they can still always spend a few extra days trying to get fcfs