Thanks for the info.

I added these tags after some discussion on the OSM US Slack about how to distinguish official long-distance trails like the PCT, JMT, TRT, etc from unofficial "word-of-mouth" routes like the Lowest to Highest trail or Big SEKI Loop which may also have relations in OSM. I suggested adding operator tags to official routes and/or adding informal=yes to unofficial ones.

I was under the impression that the PCTA issued permits for the JMT, and therefore "operated" it in the sense of controlling access. But looking at this page I realize I was wrong. https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/john-muir-trail/jmt-permits/

So this may not be the most accurate tagging. Feel free to change it or suggest something else and I can do so.