Episode 46

Ep 046. John Muir Trail Day 12 (Trail Series). Bishop Pass Exit Reflections and Finding Peace in the Pivot

Welcome to the John Muir Trail Podcast Series - I'm taking a little summer break from the podcast while I head off on some new adventures (and guide some epic client trips too!). But I didn’t want to leave you hanging—so I’m sharing something special: a never-before-released Trail Series from our John Muir Trail thru-hike.

Today we hiked out—truly out. After making the tough call to leave the trail due to wildfire smoke, we completed our long exit via Bishop Pass. The hike was steep, scenic, and bittersweet. As we made our way back to civilization, we reflected on what it means to change plans, to trust ourselves, and to let go of expectations on a dream hike.

Even though this part of our JMT journey is coming to a close, there’s peace in knowing the trail will still be there—and that this isn’t the end of the story.

In this episode:

  • Climbing over Bishop Pass with heavy hearts
  • Final views and surprise alpine beauty
  • Emotional trail reflections and processing the pivot
  • The power of letting go (and knowing when it’s time)
  • What we’re learning about flexibility, trust, and next chapters

🎧 Join us as we hike out with gratitude, grief, and hope for the next section of the journey.

JMT Resources on the Blog:

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About the Podcast

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The Adventurous Reinvention
A podcast all about reinventing yourself (inside and out) through outdoor adventure

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About your host

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Allison Boyle

I teach women how to become safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpackers – no matter what level of experience or time in their life they’re starting from.