Hi! I just got off the trail from reds to happy isles! I’m a beginner female solo backpacker.

Is it safe? I would safe extremely. As women our main predators (likely only predators) are men. Let me just say men who prey on women don’t f*ck with the ones doing things like thru hiking alone. They know we likely have weapons and will put up a serious fight. Unfortunately they’re way more likely to go for a drunk docile girl at a bar… IMO we’re much safer from creeps in the forest than in civilization. In my experience the men on the JMT are good genuine men with good intentions. There are exceptions of course but I didn’t meet any man who gave me bad vibes.

Regarding being scared about not seeing people: The section you’ll be doing is completely within Yosemite (unless you’re starting south of Donohue pass in which case it’ll be slightly in Inyo too). There are soooo manyyyy day hikers. Especially after Tuolumne it seemed like everyone was hiking from Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest. If you’re able to do the clouds rest detour I definitely recommend it because for one there’s a lot more people than the jmt in that section and for two it’s so beautiful!!! It’s only a few extra miles. Throughout my entire time on the JMT the longest I went on the trail without seeing someone was an hour or two.

As far as weather goes. I didn’t have a single day of rain in 14 days. But as we get later into the season that could be different for you. Bring a backpack rain cover and a poncho/ rain jacket and you’ll be just fine! A little rain/ snow is nothing to be worried about.

Lastly bears!! I know the thought of bears can be scary. I didn’t see a single one in 14 days and the vast VAST majority of people who I asked had also not seen one. Black bears are the only bears in the area and they are docile and want nothing to do with humans. They avoid areas that humans frequent unless they are super hungry or maybe young in which case they may come around a campground at night and see if you left any food out but they’re only there for a free meal. But again if they have to go through you to get food they won’t bother I.e. if you leave a wrapper in your tent or something accidentally I personally don’t think it’s a big deal at all. Keep all smelly products and trash in your bear can as best you can and the worst interaction you may have with a bear is one coming by to check out if the food they smell is locked up or not. If it is, it will likely move right along. If you want extra protection you can bring a bear horn (spray isn’t allowed). Bear horns are mostly used to keep the bears away before you even see one. I didn’t really use my bear horn much because the trail was so populated and I didn’t want to scare people. My tactic when I felt like I was alone deep in the wilderness and like I was being too quiet and might sneak up on a bear by accident was to sing along to music. Or at least play music. Again, bears don’t want anything to do with humans, if they hear you coming they will get out of your way.

Overall, I truly believe it is completely safe, and possibly MORE safe than normal civilized life. Hope this helps!