We averaged about 10 miles a day -- started at Duck Pass trail on Sunday August 2 and came out over Kearsarge into Onion Valley on Friday August 14. Now that I have a better idea of logistics and how to lighten the pack (I have four lumbar fusions and three cervical fusions), I want to go back next year and do the entire JMT.
When I hiked the JMT, I brought a light tarp in lieu of a tent. Had it rained at night, I would have rigged a shelter. But it never rained, so I slept on the tarp every night. In hindsight, I should have mailed food ahead to one or more of the pack stations along the trail.
The JMT is a great trail. The two times I have done it, it had rained for 4 days total. It was super dry this year. Those are cool deer(bucks) shots over on the ridge.
Ellen- my wife has had disc and spine fusion (and hip replacement) and logs about 25 + miles a week on the Mt Wilson Trail. She'd love to do the JMT (after recovering fro her upcoming thorastic spine disc fusion 10/1..
PM me. I'd think she'd like to compare notes w you.