High Sierra Topix

I am interested in advice on planning a trip to the John Muir Trail on short notice.
I've read about various places to resupply etc, any suggestions of timing for a 3wk trip?-I'm trying to plan food etc. to ship from the east coast this wknd.- does anyone know how to confirm that your food has been received?
I plan on hiking apporx Aug.1- 21st?
also-it appears that the permits from north south are spoken for, does anyone have advice on showing up the day of?
also- I've been researching packs. it's difficult to figure out how many liters/cu in. i need- I know this is subject to gear size etc.
appreciate any tips!
Thanks!

Parker,
If you are headed out in a couple days then I am too late to be much help. Cheapest are Muir Trail Ranch or Vermillion Valley Resort. You mail a parcel and for a small fee they hold it for you. MTR is almost exactly halfway.

If you want a resupply earlier than that, Rainbow Packers will carry one in for you. They operate out of South Lake so a good drop is LeConte Canyon. They'll probably charge a couple hundred or more.

North of MTR or VVR the easiest resupply point is Reds Meadow. You can drop it off yourself prior to the start of you hike. Another option is to take a half day and go into Mammoth Lakes and just buy stuff. Can also make your own drop at Tuolomne. Steve

Here's the resupply for JMT ranch, you can priority mail it.
http://www.muirtrailranch.com/resupply.html
And here's the link to red's meadow
http://www.redsmeadow.com/pdf/PackagePickUp.pdf
Dee