Hammock Camping the JMT

Hello,

I'm considering hammock camping the JMT and am playing around with my set up. People say that you get forced to the ground at Guitar Lake. Also, I'm going with two other hikers I don't want to inconvenience going over passes.

To me this means I should swap out my UQ for a sleeping pad incase I get forced to the ground. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I'm worried if I get forced to the ground that the mosquitos will eat me alive since my bug net is part of my hammock. If I sleep on a pad in my sleeping bag and bring a face net do you think that would be enough to protect me?

All thoughts and advice are welcome! Thanks for reading!

Hmmm... also I have a quilt so they might be able to get under the bottom of it.

There are ways to ground pitch. There are multiple videos on youtube with different approaches. Shug's is a good place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j54vMKGhiQ
If you normally take hiking poles, you can use them to set up your tarp and bug net to keep the mosquitos out. As part of their Hammock Camping Trail Badge, my sons (who are in the Trail Life scouting program) spent the night in a ground-pitch setting with bugnet and all.

That said, I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you. The JMT is on my bucket list!

docbrown's advice is good.

But you definitely want to trail-test your hammock with a sleep mat vs UQ. Early on I tried both air and CCF mats with the hammock and found them totally unworkable for me. Uncomfortable, inefficient and hard to get them to stay in position, especially the air mat.

Personally, I'd carry some sort of minimalist air mat such as the Thermarest uberlite torso length at about 6 oz *and* the UQ. That way I might spend a couple of nights marginally comfortable on the ground instead of being very uncomfortable for 10-12 or more nights in the hammock.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by docbrown

There are ways to ground pitch. There are multiple videos on youtube with different approaches. Shug's is a good place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j54vMKGhiQ
If you normally take hiking poles, you can use them to set up your tarp and bug net to keep the mosquitos out. As part of their Hammock Camping Trail Badge, my sons (who are in the Trail Life scouting program) spent the night in a ground-pitch setting with bugnet and all.

That said, I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you. The JMT is on my bucket list!

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Nice I didn't think of laying the hammock on the ground and using it a bug net. That should work just fine!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cmoulder

docbrown's advice is good.

But you definitely want to trail-test your hammock with a sleep mat vs UQ. Early on I tried both air and CCF mats with the hammock and found them totally unworkable for me. Uncomfortable, inefficient and hard to get them to stay in position, especially the air mat.

Personally, I'd carry some sort of minimalist air mat such as the Thermarest uberlite torso length at about 6 oz *and* the UQ. That way I might spend a couple of nights marginally comfortable on the ground instead of being very uncomfortable for 10-12 or more nights in the hammock.

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I would do this as well. And I generally try to go light, but the Uberlite is a great addition.

If using the bear mountain bridge as listed on your profile, then probably no need to test it out with the pad as I assume you’ve already been using one at times. Just need to practice tying out the tarp and getting that setup detailed as it takes some practice to know how you would like to set it up. Might also want to add a bathtub ground cloth.


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I started carrying a small piece (roughly 3ft x 6ft) of plastic sheeting every time I camp. I don't remember the exact thickness, but it's probably the 3mil thick black plastic sheeting from Lowes. If I need to go to ground, I have something to protect my hammock from the ground. Otherwise, I have a nice clean surface to set my pack on, spread my gear out, set my shoes on when I'm in the hammock, etc... It weighs about 1/2oz.

Here’s a proof-of-concept photo:
ground sheet, then pad, then hammock w/built in net. Tarp is on poles and bug net is attached to pole, lifting it off your face.

Attachment 188467